End of Windows 10 in 2025: Why Switching to Linux and LibreOffice Is the Best Choice

As the sunset approaches for Windows 10, users around the globe face a pivotal choice: take the leap to Windows 11, linger on unsupported software, or embrace a radically different path—switching to Linux paired with LibreOffice. The Document Foundation (TDF), the driving force behind LibreOffice, is adamant that the latter option is not merely viable but, indeed, represents the superior move for both cost-conscious individuals and organizations fatigued by Redmond's increasingly restrictive policies.

Windows 10 End-of-Life: A Catalyst for Change​

The looming end-of-life (EoL) for Windows 10, slated for October 14, 2025, signals more than just the expiration of familiar support cycles. It provides Microsoft with an opportunity—and a mandate—for one final concerted effort to transition users to Windows 11. The company has made its intentions clear: migration is, ostensibly, about bolstering security and maintaining a modern software ecosystem.
Yet beneath the surface, critics argue that the move is also motivated by financial incentives and a desire to tether users more tightly to Microsoft's evolving ecosystem. Windows 11 brings with it not just fresh UI polish and enhanced security, but also a web of hardware requirements and new licensing paradigms that threaten to sideline millions of perfectly functional PCs. For businesses and households alike, the hidden costs of hardware upgrades, software subscriptions, organizational retraining, and potential downtime loom large.

The Hidden Costs of Staying on Windows​

While Microsoft touts security as the primary driver for Windows 11 adoption, The Document Foundation points to the less-publicized consequences:

• Cloud Service Dependence
  Windows 11 increasingly nudges users toward Microsoft's cloud offerings—OneDrive integration, requisite Microsoft accounts, and an expanding suite of subscription-based tools replace the more straightforward product keys of yesteryear.
• Reduced User Control
  The OS has been criticized for mandatory updates, limited customization, and telemetry that raises privacy concerns, especially in regions with strict data protection mandates.
• Exclusion of Older Hardware
  Steep system requirements render otherwise capable machines obsolete—potentially a deliberate move to accelerate device refresh cycles and, consequently, further product sales.
• Licensing and Subscription Pressures
  A palpable shift toward recurring fees via Office 365, Microsoft 365, and add-on services, away from the perpetual licensing models that once dominated.

This multi-pronged evolution of Windows 11 puts Microsoft’s customer relationship on a new footing, one that many see as increasingly transactional.

LibreOffice and Linux: The Open-Source Contender​

Recognizing this turning point, The Document Foundation does not mince words in its recommendation. It suggests that with the imminent departure of Windows 10, users should view this as more than just a need to pick another Windows version—but as an invitation to “choose digital freedom.” Specifically, TDF positions the combination of LibreOffice and a robust Linux distribution as not just an alternative, but a clear upgrade in transparency, cost, and user autonomy.

What is LibreOffice?​

LibreOffice is a powerful, free, and open-source office suite that offers functionality comparable to Microsoft Office. Developed and maintained by TDF, it supports the industry-standard OpenDocument Format (ODF) and is furthermore compatible with Microsoft Office file types. Key components include:

• Writer (word processing)
• Calc (spreadsheets)
• Impress (presentations)
• Draw (vector graphics and diagrams)
• Base (databases)
• Math (formula editing)

Installed by default on many Linux distributions, LibreOffice’s enduring appeal stems from its zero licensing fees, absence of forced updates or telemetry, and an ever-growing global community contributing to both code and documentation.

The Modern Linux Experience​

Historically, Linux on the desktop endured a reputation for complexity and lack of polish compared to commercial alternatives. This is no longer the case. User-friendly distributions such as Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Fedora, and Elementary OS offer elegant interfaces, app stores, and a focus on interoperability.
Modern Linux delivers:

• Freedom from Licensing Fees:
  Both the OS and major productivity tools are free of charge, forever.
• Community-Driven Support:
  Issues resolved in real time via global support forums and wikis.
• Respect for User Privacy:
  Absence of covert data collection, user profiling, or unannounced software changes.
• Stability and Customization:
  Control over updates and system appearance, alongside broad hardware compatibility.

The Document Foundation's Call to Action​

TDF’s recent blog post—highlighted in prominent tech publications like Neowin and XDA Developers—urges individuals and enterprises to consider Linux and LibreOffice not as an escape hatch, but a strategic upgrade. In the Foundation’s view, Microsoft’s choice to sunset Windows 10 is both the end of an era and a betrayal of user trust.
In their own words:

"This trust has been betrayed by the decision to abandon a functioning operating system such as Windows 10, purely to sell more products and lock users in further, which cannot be justified by any technological assessment. [...] The end of Windows 10 does not mark the end of choice, but the beginning of a new era. If you are tired of mandatory updates, invasive changes, and being bound by the commercial choices of a single supplier, it is time for a change. Linux and LibreOffice are ready—2025 is the right year to choose digital freedom!"

TDF goes a step further by outlining a recommended migration roadmap, especially for organizations hesitant about the leap:

• Test on a Separate Partition:
  Trial-run the setup without disrupting existing workflows.
• Verify Software Compatibility:
  Confirm vital business applications have suitable Linux analogs or run well under emulation.
• Document Training Plans:
  Prepare teams for the new tools through structured sessions.
• Seek Expert Assistance:
  Consider hiring consultants with proven migration experience.

Critical Examination: Strengths and Risks​

Notable Strengths​

Cost Reductions​

One of the most compelling arguments is fiscal. The Linux-LibreOffice stack eliminates per-device licensing, large-scale upgrade costs, and recurring software subscriptions. For organizations with slim IT budgets or diverse fleets of legacy hardware, the savings may be substantial.

Enhanced User Autonomy​

Linux distributions allow users to dictate when and how their systems update. Telemetry can be stripped down to a minimum or omitted entirely, restoring a sense of digital agency that many feel has eroded in the Windows world.

Broad Hardware Support​

By design, Linux can rejuvenate old hardware shunned by Windows 11’s requirements. This helps organizations promote sustainability by extending the life of devices that would otherwise end up as electronic waste.

Transparency and Security​

Open-source software, by its nature, exposes its codebase to public scrutiny—making it theoretically easier to identify and address vulnerabilities. The collaborative ethos further demystifies what your OS and apps are actually doing.

Global Community​

The support structure for Linux and LibreOffice, while informal, is vast. Troubleshooting is often just a forum post or IRC chat away, with responses from both users and seasoned developers.

Potential Risks and Limitations​

Yet, the open-source alternative is not without hazards. It would be disingenuous to portray the transition as frictionless or risk-free.

Compatibility and Learning Curve​

Despite the equivalence of LibreOffice’s offerings, complex timelines, templates, macros, or formatting may not render identically to Microsoft Office. For niche professional use-cases (macro-heavy Excel sheets, advanced PowerPoint animations), some reworking may be necessary.

Software Availability and Peripherals​

While the software library for Linux has never been better, major vertical market applications—especially proprietary accounting, CAD, or industrial control programs—still favor Windows. Similarly, certain specialized printers, scanners, or hardware peripherals may lack robust Linux drivers.

Training and Workflow Shifts​

Most users have spent their professional lives entrenched in Windows paradigms. Even user-friendly Linux distributions introduce subtle differences in UI, hotkeys, and app installation. Training and support are crucial for business deployments, lest frustration breed resistance.

Enterprise Integration​

For large organizations running on Microsoft Active Directory, Outlook/Exchange, and SharePoint, full migration to Linux poses challenges. Interoperability has improved—thanks to tools like Evolution, Thunderbird, and integrated Samba—but feature parity with the Microsoft ecosystem is neither complete nor always seamless.

Third-Party Vendor Reliance​

For mission-critical workflows maintained by outside vendors, there may be reluctance to support issues arising on “unsupported” platforms or non-Microsoft productivity suites, potentially complicating support contracts.

2025: The “Year of Linux on the Desktop”?​

The phrase “year of Linux on the desktop” has become something of a running joke in tech circles. But with Windows 10’s imminent end-of-life, and accelerating shifts toward subscription-based computing, the barriers to large-scale migration appear lower than ever—at least for motivated segments of the user base.

Key Trends Pushing Interest in Linux​

• Rising Hardware Costs:
  The financial and environmental costs associated with replacing hardware to meet Windows 11's requirements have led many to seek sustenance from leaner, more efficient operating systems.
• Subscription Fatigue:
  Users tire of an ecosystem where productivity and creativity are tied to never-ending payments, aggressive upselling, and shifting product lineups.
• User Privacy Demands:
  As privacy regulations tighten, organizations are becoming increasingly wary of proprietary telemetry—and value platforms that give them full control over their data.
• Grassroots Movements:
  From public sector IT overhauls in Europe to grassroots free-software campaigns, the awareness and viability of Linux-based computing has never been higher.

But caution is warranted. Even as user-friendly distributions and open productivity suites have reached impressive maturity, broad-based adoption will depend on continued progress in software compatibility, onboarding tools, and user education.

Real-World Migration: A Stepwise Approach​

For those contemplating the move, the following roadmap can mitigate risk and maximize benefit:

• Inventory Hardware and Software:
  Audit existing infrastructure for potential compatibility bottlenecks.
• Start with a Pilot Program:
  Deploy Linux and LibreOffice to a subset of users or departments. Document issues and iterate.
• Evaluate Mission-Critical Workflows:
  Confirm that line-of-business apps and macros function as needed—or identify suitable alternatives.
• Plan for Training:
  User guides, videos, and internal “Linux Champions” can accelerate adaptation.
• Engage with the Community:
  Encourage IT teams to leverage forums, mailing lists, and regional Linux user groups for support.
• Formalize Support Contracts if Needed:
  Professional support services are available from organizations like Canonical (Ubuntu), SUSE, Red Hat, and Collabora (for LibreOffice).

Conclusion: Digital Freedom at a Crossroads​

The end of Windows 10 support is not solely a technical milestone—it’s an inflection point for digital sovereignty. While many will undoubtably make the comparatively straightforward choice to adopt Windows 11, The Document Foundation’s rallying cry is a timely reminder: a robust, privacy-respecting, cost-effective alternative exists, and it’s more accessible than ever.
For adventurous individuals and forward-thinking organizations, moving to Linux and LibreOffice unlocks opportunities for cost savings, customization, and a more user-empowered computing future. Yet, for each strength, would-be migrants must weigh risks: software compatibility, retraining requirements, and support limitations. The road is not without bumps—but for those who value transparency, freedom, and control, this juncture may be the best chance yet to make the change.
The question remains: is 2025 truly the year Linux finally claims its place as a mainstream desktop operating system? The answer, as always, lies less in the technology—and more in the resolve of its users.

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Source: XDA With support for Windows 10 ending, LibreOffice creator thinks you should switch to Linux instead of Windows 11