A surprising pattern is emerging as the Windows 10 end‑of‑support deadline approaches: publicly available telemetry and independent trackers show measurable growth in Linux desktop usage, while community projects, vendors, and security firms are actively encouraging migration — but the evidence does not support a single, unstoppable “mass exodus.” Instead, the data points to a meaningful, uneven shift: Linux adoption is rising, gaming‑focused Linux usage (including SteamOS) is up, and...