Windows 10 Support Ends 2025: Why Linux & LibreOffice Are the Future of PC Independence

As the end of Windows 10 support approaches, a seismic shift is stirring within the PC community, challenging long-standing allegiances and prompting passionate debate. The Document Foundation (TDF), creator of the widely respected LibreOffice suite, has stepped into the fray with a bold directive: Windows 10 holdouts should consider migrating not to Windows 11, but to Linux. This unprecedented call to action is reverberating through forums, social media, and the IT press, simultaneously fueling optimism—and skepticism—about what the future of everyday computing might look like beyond Microsoft’s grasp.

The Countdown: Windows 10 Nears Its Deadline​

Microsoft’s official timetable marks October 14, 2025, as the end-of-support date for Windows 10. After this, no new security updates or official fixes will be provided, potentially exposing users to vulnerabilities unless they move to a supported operating system. Historically, such transitions have been met with resistance from consumers and enterprises alike, especially when faced with increased hardware requirements or perceived invasions of privacy. Windows 11, with its stricter system prerequisites—including the need for TPM 2.0 and newer CPUs—has left millions of PCs on the outside looking in. According to recent industry estimates, a significant portion of PCs currently running Windows 10 will not meet Microsoft’s upgrade bar, leaving their owners facing tough decisions about their digital future.

Enter TDF: Advocating for Linux and LibreOffice​

In a provocative blog post, TDF outlines an alternative: “The countdown has begun. On 14 October 2025, Microsoft will end support for Windows 10. The good news? You don’t have to follow Microsoft’s upgrade path [to Windows 11]. There is a better option that puts control back in the hands of users, institutions, and public bodies: Linux and LibreOffice.”
The arguments are multi-layered:

• Privacy and Control: TDF frames Linux as a fortress for user autonomy, citing the open-source model as inherently more trustworthy than a for-profit, telemetry-heavy ecosystem such as Windows 11. Microsoft’s increased push toward mandatory accounts, tighter cloud integration (notably OneDrive), and telemetry have triggered criticism not just from TDF, but also from privacy advocates worldwide.
• Cost and Openness: Both Linux and LibreOffice are free to use and governed by non-profit foundations rather than commercial enterprises. This, TDF argues, removes profit motives from the equation and builds a foundation of transparency and user empowerment.
• Hardware Longevity: One of the campaign’s central tenets is the assertion that Linux distributions breathe new life into older hardware—specifically, machines deemed ineligible for Windows 11 can run modern Linux distributions smoothly, according to broad community consensus and numerous real-world reports.

Growth of the ‘Go Linux, Not Windows 11’ Movement​

Importantly, TDF is not alone in this crusade. High-profile Linux projects and communities, such as KDE (the force behind the popular Plasma desktop environment), have echoed similar sentiments. KDE recently accused Microsoft of perpetrating “tech extortion” on Windows 10 users—a charge that, though polemic, reflects growing frustration with enforced obsolescence and limited consumer choice.
This campaign isn’t simply a matter of technological philosophy. For many, it’s about practical survival:

• Schools and public sector bodies—often with fleets of still-functional older PCs—face ballooning costs and logistical headaches if forced to upgrade hardware to meet Windows 11 requirements.
• Small businesses, especially in resource-constrained regions, view free and open alternatives as lifelines.

Dissecting the Arguments: Strengths, Facts, and Hurdles​

1. Privacy—A Core Linux Selling Point​

One of the loudest criticisms levelled at Windows 11 is Microsoft’s aggressive collection of telemetry data. While telemetry can improve product quality and security, the level and type of data collected often stirs discomfort. In contrast, mainstream Linux distributions prioritize privacy and generally collect little or no telemetry by default. This claim is readily verifiable through the open-source nature of Linux: anyone can examine the code to verify what is (and isn’t) being sent from their system. Major distributions like Ubuntu, Fedora, and Debian have privacy policies that are clear and limited in scope.
However, it must be acknowledged that some newer Linux spins (like Ubuntu) have experimented with opt-in data collection, albeit transparently and with user control front and center. This stands in stark contrast to the mandatory telemetry found in Windows 11 Home and Pro versions, which, even set to the minimum, transmit “required diagnostic data” by default.

2. Avoiding the Upgrade Tax—Linux as Savor of Old PCs​

TDF’s claim that “new hardware requirements will render millions of perfectly good PCs obsolete” is not alarmist hyperbole. According to research conducted by IT asset management platforms and PC analytics firms, up to 40% of currently deployed Windows 10 PCs lack the hardware features demanded by Windows 11—most notably, TPM 2.0 and newer processors. This figure is corroborated by analyses from consulting firms like Lansweeper and StatCounter, as well as by direct survey data from enterprise IT administrators.
Linux’s hardware-friendliness is a documented reality. Lightweight distributions such as Linux Mint XFCE and Lubuntu can comfortably run on hardware more than a decade old, with memory and CPU usage well below that of Windows 10, let alone Windows 11. In controlled performance tests conducted by outlets like Phoronix and testedexperts.com, Linux often breathes new life into legacy PCs that have become sluggish or unusable under recent versions of Windows.

3. Cost Savings and Freedom from Forced Subscription Models​

Microsoft’s increasing integration of the Microsoft 365 subscription (née Office 365) into core productivity tools is a source of consumer unease. Features that were once standard, such as offline editing and local storage, are increasingly placed behind paywalls or cloud dependencies. For schools, non-profits, and individuals on tight budgets, LibreOffice offers a full-featured alternative to expensive Office subscriptions, with robust support for common file formats and an active upstream development community. This claim is widely confirmed in head-to-head comparisons of LibreOffice and Microsoft Office’s core capabilities, with LibreOffice noted for its extensive support for legacy formats and no recurring fees.

4. Open Ecosystem: Community and Transparency​

Open source’s reputation for transparency isn’t just marketing—it’s a pillar of the model. While Linux and LibreOffice certainly have their bugs or quirks, issues are tracked publicly, patches are contributed in the open, and the direction of each project is steered by foundation-backed boards rather than the commercial whims of shareholders. This has real implications for security: the specter of backdoors, invasive advertising, or unwanted telemetry is far lower compared to closed-source platforms.

5. Compatibility—Windows Software and Games​

Yet the migration path is not entirely rosy. The biggest technical hurdle for Windows 10 users contemplating Linux is compatibility with the applications—and especially games—they rely on. While LibreOffice is remarkably compatible with most Microsoft Office file formats, advanced macro functionality, complex spreadsheets, or custom templates can run into issues. For professional environments with heavy reliance on proprietary Office features, the switch may entail retraining or even retooling workflows.
Gaming is another pain point. Despite enormous improvements thanks to projects like Proton and Wine, top-tier game support (especially for titles with anti-cheat mechanisms or native DirectX 12 calls) still lags behind Windows. Enthusiast communities offer workarounds for many games, but the out-of-the-box experience is undeniably more seamless on Microsoft’s platform.

6. User Friendliness—The Steep Learning Curve​

Perhaps the most sobering challenge is the user experience gap. For decades, Windows has been the dominant desktop OS; its iconography and interface conventions are deeply ingrained for millions. Linux, despite efforts by distros like Ubuntu and Linux Mint to offer familiar start menus and taskbars, still demands a learning phase. Tasks like installing drivers, partitioning drives, or troubleshooting peripherals can flummox even advanced users early on. TDF’s own advice to “start by testing Linux and LibreOffice on a second partition” is sound, but for the average user, dual-booting or drive partitioning can be daunting. Surveys and tech support forums are replete with stories of failed migrations—either due to hardware incompatibility or sheer frustration with new interfaces.
Nonetheless, modern Linux desktop environments (GNOME, KDE Plasma, Cinnamon) have made impressive strides in usability, and vast online communities provide copious documentation and help. For those willing to invest a bit of time, the learning curve is no longer as vertical as decades past, though it remains a factor that cannot be understated.

Community Response: Momentum and Misgivings​

The TDF campaign is far from isolated. Linux-focused media, privacy advocates, and a growing swath of frustrated PC users are rallying behind the call. Online communities like r/Linux on Reddit, for example, have seen surges in posts from first-time switchers seeking support and guidance. Prominent advocates like KDE have added fuel, describing Windows 11’s hardware policies as a form of “tech extortion.”
Yet beneath the surface of this groundswell is a current of caution. Seasoned IT professionals and power users acknowledge that while Linux offers liberation from certain corporate practices, it demands an investment—of time, effort, and at times, patience. As one commentator on the TDF’s blog post notes, “For techies it’s a no-brainer, but for my parents? Not a chance, unless I set it up and support it forever.”

The Path Forward: Migration Realities and Resources​

For users contemplating the jump, a gradual approach is widely recommended:

• Live USB Tryouts: Nearly all Linux distributions allow users to boot from a USB drive and test the OS without altering their existing Windows installation.
• Dual-Booting: Advanced users can partition their drives, enabling a choice at startup between Windows and Linux. This allows for a safety net, though it requires comfort with partitioning and bootloaders.
• Beginner-Friendly Distros: For users seeking Windows-like ease, distributions such as Linux Mint, Zorin OS, or Ubuntu provide GUIs and workflows reminiscent of classic Windows environments, easing the transition.
• Documentation and Community Help: Websites like Ubuntu Forums, Ask Fedora, and Stack Exchange are invaluable for troubleshooting and advice. TDF’s own resources offer guides and support specifically aimed at LibreOffice and general migration tips.
• Compatibility Tools: Projects like Wine, PlayOnLinux, and Valve’s Proton enable many popular Windows apps and games to run under Linux, though success can vary.

Table: Key Differences—Windows 11 vs Linux (2025 Snapshot)​

Feature	Windows 11	Linux (e.g., Mint/Ubuntu)
Cost	Paid/licensed OS, frequent subscription prompts (Microsoft 365)	Free, open-source, no subscriptions required
Hardware requirements	Strict—TPM 2.0, modern CPUs	Flexible; supports older hardware easily
Privacy	Telemetry enabled by default, more required data	Little/no telemetry by default, transparent policies
Software	Large commercial and gaming ecosystem	Expanding, especially for open-source and FOSS, but gaps remain
Updates	Automatic, sometimes forced	User-controlled in most distros
Community support	Official + large forums, less personalized	Grassroots + official, very engaged and direct

Critical Analysis: Opportunity vs Risk​

Strengths and Opportunities​

TDF’s campaign is both timely and strategically astute. By positioning Linux and LibreOffice as the “people’s alternative” to the increasingly commercial and restrictive Microsoft ecosystem, they tap into prevailing consumer anxieties:

• Rising costs: Subscription fatigue is real, with many users frustrated by formerly perpetual-licensed products becoming rolling expenses.
• Loss of control: As more operating system features migrate to the cloud or require online accounts, the user’s sense of ownership—and privacy—erodes.
• Planned obsolescence: Microsoft’s hardware policies leave many feeling pressured to upgrade machines that still function perfectly well.

If even a modest percentage of Windows 10’s enormous install base migrates to Linux, it would represent one of the most significant tectonic shifts in desktop computing since the Windows/Mac duopoly was first established.

The Risks and Likely Limits​

That said, the road is not without hazards:

• Technical complexity: For non-expert users, Linux migration—no matter how beginner-friendly the distro—carries an initial cognitive and technical burden. This alone will deter vast swathes of the mainstream user base.
• Compatibility: Professional environments, gamers, and anyone dependent on niche Windows software may run into deal-breaking obstacles, ranging from lack of drivers to non-working executables.
• Support infrastructure: While Linux communities are famously generous, there is no centralized, phone-based support for most issues—a fact that businesses and less technical users must weigh.

Some claims from open-source evangelists also merit caution. The assertion that Linux and LibreOffice can fully replicate every workflow or seamlessly import all complex Office documents should be critically tested on a case-by-case basis. Compatibility is vastly improved, but not absolute.

The Bottom Line: A New Take on Choice​

The TDF-led campaign is a symptom of a wider pushback against big tech’s movement toward vendor lock-in, cloud dependence, and hardware obsolescence. For those willing to learn, and for older hardware otherwise headed for landfill, Linux and LibreOffice offer a genuinely empowering alternative—one rooted in privacy, openness, and communal stewardship.
Still, for the Windows faithful—or anyone who requires absolute compatibility, mainstream software, or the least possible friction—Windows 11 remains the path of least resistance despite its compromises. The choice, as TDF frames it, is not only technical but philosophical: Do you want to control your PC, or have your PC increasingly control you?
As the clock ticks toward the Windows 10 support sunset, the real test will not be about feature lists or benchmarks, but about whether enough people—or institutions—can navigate the short-term difficulties of migration in exchange for the longer-term freedoms on offer. The battle lines are drawn, but for the first time in years, real choice in the desktop world feels tantalizingly within reach.

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Source: inkl LibreOffice maker urges Windows 10 users to defect in viral ‘Go Linux, not Windows 11’ campaign