With Microsoft winding down support for Windows 10, one of the world’s most popular operating systems, a pivotal moment has arrived for millions. The “End of 10” campaign, a grassroots push to welcome users to Linux, is capturing attention as frustration brews over Windows 11’s shifting requirements, proliferating advertisements, and rising AI integrations. As these factors converge, countless Windows 10 users are asking themselves: what’s next, and is now finally the time to embrace Linux?
The End of an Era: Windows 10 Support Winds Down
Microsoft has confirmed that extended support for Windows 10 will officially end in October 2025. After that point, no security updates, bug fixes, or technical support will be available for the operating system unless users opt into a paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. For households, small businesses, and schools that rely on the familiarity and performance of Windows 10, this looming deadline feels like a forced fork in the road.The statistics are telling: as of early 2025, Windows 10 still held a majority market share among desktop OS installations worldwide, outpacing Windows 11 due to its broader hardware compatibility and lower system requirements. However, usage statistics have started to decline as users eye their options—upgrading to Windows 11, or exploring alternatives like Linux.
Windows 11: A Step Too Far for Some
One of the most significant hurdles users face is that Windows 11 imposes stringent hardware requirements. Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, Secure Boot, and newer processor standards have rendered millions of perfectly capable devices ineligible for the upgrade. For many, purchasing entirely new PCs simply isn’t affordable, especially when their existing systems remain functional for everyday tasks.Adding to grievances, Windows 11 has introduced increasingly prominent advertisements in the Start Menu, Settings app, and even within File Explorer. Microsoft’s moves toward tighter integration with its AI assistant, Copilot, and cloud-based services have further split user opinion. Critics argue that privacy, control, and customizability are eroding in Windows consumer operating systems. The growing use of telemetry and data-gathering has heightened these concerns—even as Microsoft insists such features are benign or beneficial.
Enter the “End of 10” Movement
The “End of 10” campaign, covered recently on GamingOnLinux and its own dedicated website, is a collective response to this moment of uncertainty. Its mission is straightforward: to guide and empower users in making the leap from Windows 10 to desktop Linux. The campaign offers a rapidly growing set of resources:- A curated directory of local and online events where Linux enthusiasts provide hands-on installation help.
- Step-by-step guides for transitioning from Windows 10, including advice on hardware compatibility.
- Community forums and peer support to field “newbie” questions and help troubleshoot common issues.
- Feature comparisons to highlight what users gain (and might lose) by switching to Linux desktops.
Why Linux? The Argument Gains Ground
For years, advocates have touted Linux as a viable desktop OS alternative, yet uptake outside development, education, and certain enterprise roles has remained modest. The “End of 10” campaign hopes to change that, leveraging several factors unique to the current crossroads:- Cost: Linux and the vast majority of its software is freely available, often through open-source licensing.
- Performance on Older Hardware: Most popular Linux distributions, from Fedora to Ubuntu to Linux Mint, run smoothly on systems no longer meeting Windows 11’s requirements.
- Control and Customization: Linux enables unmatched user control. Desktop environments like KDE Plasma mimic Windows in layout but offer deep customization, eliminating forced ads and telemetry.
- No Built-In Ads: Linux distributions are typically free from advertising and upsell nags embedded at the OS level.
- Security: While no OS is immune from threats, Linux’s architecture and widespread use of repositories for software reduce the risk of malware and drive-by attacks.
The Process: How the “End of 10” Campaign Helps
Switching operating systems can sound daunting, but the “End of 10” initiative aims to break that fear barrier. Here’s how their approach unfolds:Community Events
In dozens of cities—and increasingly online—volunteers are hosting “Linux installfests,” meetups where newcomers can bring their Windows 10 machines and receive direct, step-by-step assistance. These events often double as educational workshops, where attendees watch live demos, ask questions, and even try Linux in a “live session” without affecting their local data.Resource Hub
On the “End of 10” website, an expanding directory lists:- Download links for top-rated Linux distributions
- First-time user FAQs
- Compatibility guides for tricky hardware, especially printers, Wi-Fi, and GPUs
- Migration checklists for preserving files, email accounts, bookmarks, and more
Stress-Free Trials
A crucial benefit stressed by the organizers: most Linux distributions run “live” from a USB stick, allowing Windows users to try the system end-to-end without touching their current setup. This try-before-you-commit approach removes the last vestiges of risk.Addressing Common Concerns and Myths
Skepticism about Linux desktops is understandable—some stems from painful memories of driver woes or cryptic terminal-only workflows. The campaign is direct in confronting these head-on.Peripheral Compatibility
In years past, printer and graphics card support was hit-or-miss. Recent kernel improvements and manufacturer collaboration have brought most mainstream devices into full compatibility. Nvidia’s proprietary drivers remain a challenge for select GPU models, but installation is vastly simpler now on distributions like Ubuntu and Fedora, which offer “third-party” driver support during setup.Gaming and Productivity
A high-profile pain point has always been gaming. Yet, since Valve’s investment in the Proton compatibility layer and widespread support for OpenGL/Vulkan, Linux gaming is thriving. According to ProtonDB and Steam Deck data, an estimated 80% of top Steam games now run on Linux, and anti-cheat support is rising.For productivity, popular open-source alternatives (LibreOffice, GIMP, Evolution mail, and others) are now highly polished. Web-based platforms like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Zoom all work natively in browsers, closing gaps for most casual and business users.
Learning Curve
Linux is not Windows, and the campaign is candid about small but real learning curves—particularly around software installation, permissions, and system updates. KDE Plasma and Linux Mint’s Cinnamon desktop smooth much of this transition with taskbars, launchers, and menus that intentionally echo the Windows look and feel.Support and Longevity
A common myth is that Linux users are “on their own” without official support. In practice, professional support is available for distros like Ubuntu, Red Hat, and SUSE, while vibrant free communities (forums, Discord, Reddit) fill in for non-enterprise users.As to longevity, Linux distributions like Ubuntu and Fedora publish a clear support schedule, with LTS (Long Term Support) versions offering five years of updates. This outpaces Windows’ support for consumer editions, which now appears pegged to monetize short upgrade cycles.
Economic and Environmental Stakes
Microsoft’s hardware requirements for Windows 11, while defended as necessary for “security,” have triggered a wave of e-waste concern. Perfectly usable laptops and desktops are being retired years before their hardware is spent—a pattern that environmental advocates decry as preventable.By embracing Linux, users can extend the life of their machines, keeping them in service for educational, home office, or light gaming tasks. Organizations like the Free Software Foundation and the “Right to Repair” movement have lauded such initiatives, linking them to sustainability and accessibility goals.
Lowering the cost of ownership—zero OS license fees, low hardware churn, minimal malware risk—translates to real savings for users and institutions alike. For school districts, nonprofits, and families, these savings can be redirected to higher-impact needs.
Critical Perspectives: Not All Smooth Sailing
No transition is free from friction. A balanced look at the “End of 10” campaign reveals unresolved challenges:Application Gaps
While Linux now covers essential productivity, browsing, and basic content creation, some users depend on specific Windows software unavailable in the FOSS ecosystem. For niche engineering, proprietary video editors, certain financial apps, or highly vertical business tools, Linux alternatives may not fully suffice. Tools like Wine or virtualization layers offer partial workarounds but aren’t a panacea.Enterprise Adoption
Large businesses with legacy Windows infrastructure, AD-dependent networks, and proprietary workflows face significant hurdles moving to Linux desktops. For these actors, the “End of 10” campaign is less relevant than for consumers or small shops, though server-side Linux adoption is already mainstream.Perceptions of Polish
Despite KDE Plasma’s modern visuals, some mainstream reviewers argue that major distributions can feel less slick than Windows or macOS out-of-the-box, especially regarding font rendering, Bluetooth quirks, and certain hardware suspend states. For technically confident users, these issues are typically minor, but for “just works” consumers, they can erode enthusiasm.Market Realities
Although Linux desktop market share has climbed in recent years—netting an estimated 4%–5% as of early 2025—it remains a fraction of Windows’ dominance. Network effects—app developers, hardware manufacturers, and online services—continue to target Windows’ base first. This is slowly changing, as seen with the Steam Deck’s success, but inertia remains formidable.The Road Ahead: Momentum and Measured Optimism
The “End of 10” campaign arrives at a legit inflection point. As the Windows 10 sunset looms, user sentiment is unsettled, and the appetite for unencumbered computing is real. Early signals suggest a surprising number of Windows 10 holdouts are considering Linux for their daily driver—especially as word of mouth spreads about Fedora 42’s KDE Plasma edition, Linux Mint’s ongoing user-friendliness, and the growing ease of entry for beginners.For users intrigued by more autonomy, privacy, and performance on older hardware, the campaign provides a credible on-ramp. Its strengths lie in community-based support, realistic guidance, and a strong argument that the right to compute on your own terms—without ads, mandatory accounts, or surprise costs—deserves defending.
For Microsoft, the moment brings both risk and opportunity. While Windows’ grip on the desktop will not vanish overnight, missteps around forced obsolescence and intrusive features may drive some loyalists to finally experiment with alternatives.
As the final Windows 10 updates roll out, tens of millions will watch what happens next. Whether “End of 10” is a harbinger of a desktop revolution or a niche movement for tech-savvy outliers depends on many factors—chief among them, how welcoming and frictionless the Linux journey proves to be.
For anyone preparing for the end of Windows 10 support, now is the time to research, experiment, and decide for yourself. As with all technological turning points, the choice is best made not out of fear or frustration, but openness—to new possibilities, and a computing future on your terms.
Source: GamingOnLinux End of 10 is a campaign to move people over to Linux with Windows 10 support ending
