Linux on the desktop a users journey from Windows

Linux on the desktop is having another moment, and not just among people who collect operating systems like trading cards. In late 2025, The Verge published a first person account from senior reviews editor Nathan Edwards about installing Linux on his gaming PC after growing frustrated with Windows. A follow up diary entry described the install actually sticking, with most hardware working out of the box and gaming running smoothly through Proton.

That story is useful because it is specific and ordinary at the same time. It is not a developer building kernels for fun. It is a desktop user trying to get work done, play games, and stop feeling like the operating system is constantly negotiating for attention. Linux on the desktop in 2026 is less about ideology and more about control, maintenance burden, and whether modern Linux tools have reduced the friction that historically pushed people back to Windows.

Why people are reconsidering Linux on the desktop

A big driver is timing. Windows 10 support ended on October 14 2025, meaning Microsoft stopped providing free security updates and support for the OS. For many users, that date forced a decision: upgrade to Windows 11, enroll in Extended Security Updates, buy new hardware, or switch platforms.

Windows 11 raises its own practical hurdles. Microsoft requires TPM 2.0 for Windows 11, which can exclude older machines or require firmware changes some users are uncomfortable making. The result is that a portion of the Windows 10 install base hit an uncomfortable wall right as their OS stopped receiving free patches. For some people, Linux on the desktop becomes the path of least resistance because it can keep older hardware useful while still receiving current security updates from a supported Linux distribution.

There is also the experience layer. Edwards’ Verge piece described fatigue with Windows features and prompts and a desire for a quieter system, even though his Windows 11 machine worked fine. That is not a technical requirement, but it is a common emotional trigger: users switch when the default experience starts feeling like constant interference rather than a tool.

The decision to switch to Linux on the desktop

The decision is rarely “Linux” in the abstract. It is choosing a distribution, and that choice determines how hard the first month will be. In the Verge account, Edwards chose CachyOS, an Arch based distribution, and installed a KDE desktop environment. Arch based choices can be more hands on than mainstream options, but the point is not that everyone should copy that exact pick. The point is that Linux on the desktop now offers a spectrum: from beginner friendly distributions designed to be boring in a good way, to enthusiast distros that trade convenience for control.

What has changed compared with older eras is that there are now well traveled paths for “I want this to feel like a normal PC.” A modern Linux install can be a guided process with reasonable defaults. Edwards described typical setup decisions like partitioning drives and selecting a bootloader and desktop environment, which are still new for many Windows users but are no longer the labyrinth they once were.

First week reality drivers hardware and the small catastrophes

Linux on the desktop still has a learning curve, and the first week is when users learn what kind of problems they will have. The Verge diary entry is blunt about this: Edwards dealt with “minor catastrophes,” but said none of them were Linux’s fault, and that most of the core setup ultimately worked.

Hardware compatibility remains the most common source of friction. On many systems, graphics, audio, networking, webcams, and printers now work out of the box, but there are still edge cases where a specific peripheral behaves strangely. Edwards gave one example: an older gaming mouse that did not work properly on the Linux desktop but did function inside games. That kind of “almost works” bug is exactly the thing that can sour a switch if a user hits it early.

The other big reality check is proprietary drivers, especially for GPUs on some setups. Mainstream distributions often provide clear tooling for this. Linux Mint’s installation guide, for example, explicitly recommends checking for available hardware drivers through its Driver Manager right after installation. You do not need to memorize terminal incantations to be a functional user, but you do need to accept a different mental model: the OS is modular, and sometimes you have to choose a driver rather than assuming the vendor’s installer will do everything.

For many people, that shift is the real transition. Linux on the desktop rewards a user who is willing to read a short guide and make a couple of deliberate choices instead of clicking next until the screen stops asking questions.

Apps and daily workflow what Linux on the desktop can and cannot replace

Linux on the desktop succeeds when the core daily app set is available without drama. Edwards reported installing common applications like Chromium, Discord, Slack, and Audacity easily. That isfrSC user.

Where people still hit walls is specialized software and ecosystem lock in. Some popular apps have no native Linux version. Some professional workflows depend on Windows only tools. Some users are tied to specific cloud storage or device ecosystems. Edwards noted missing support for some favorites and mentioned that workarounds exist, but the fact of missing native apps remains a real constraint.

This is where modern packaging has helped. Flatpak is an application distribution framework that aims to let apps run consistently across many Linux distributions. The Flatpak documentation describes it as a framework for distributing desktop apps across distributions, with a project structure designed around consistent environments. Flathub positions itself as an app store for Linux, providing distribution wide access to many popular desktop applications.

For a new user, that means fewer situations where an app is available only through a confusing mix of repos and build instructions. Linux on the desktop has gotten easier because app installation has gotten more standardized.

Gaming and the Proton effect on Linux on the desktop

For years, the biggest practical argument against Linux on the desktop for mainstream users was gaming. That is now less true, largely because Valve invested heavily in running Windows games on Linux through Proton. Proton is Valve’s compatibility tool that allows Windows only games to run on Linux through the Steam client.

Edwards tested gaming on Linux using Proton and reported success with at least one major title. That individual experience does not mean every game works, but it matches Valve’s own positioning: Proton is designed to allow Windows games to run on Linux by using a modified Wine and additional graphics related components.

This matters beyond gaming. It changes the switching calculus. When a user can keep their game library and still run a stable desktop, Linux on the desktop stops being a sacrifice and starts being an option.

Valve’s influence is also visible through SteamOS, which Valve describes as officially supported on Steam Deck and certain other devices while it works to broaden support. Even if someone never buys a handheld, the broader effect is that Linux based gaming platforms pushed compatibility work upstream, and desktop Linux users benefit.

How big is Linux on the desktop right now

Linux on the desktop is still a minority platform by market share, and anyone pretending otherwise is doing cosplay math. StatCounter’s global desktop OS share for December 2025 lists Linux at 3.86 percent worldwide. That number is not nothing, but it is not dominance.

Still, the story is not only market share. It is that the barrier to entry has dropped. When Windows 10 ended free support in October 2025 and Windows 11 requirements became a sticking point for some machines, more users had a reason to at least try an alternative. Meanwhile, the existence of widely documented guides, modern app packaging, and Proton has turned “try” into “maybe I can actually stay.”

Linux on the desktop in practice is often about a single machine. One desktop becomes the test bed. If it works, the user expands. If it fails, they retreat. The Verge diary format captures that reality more honestly than grand declarations.

Bottom line

Linux on the desktop is not magic, and it does not need to be. It is a workable path for users who want more control, less platform nagging, and a system that can keep older hardware useful while still staying supported. The most credible signal is not a prediction that “this is the year.” It is that mainstream outlets are now publishing ordinary user switch stories where the conclusion is not disaster.

If your workflow depends on Windows only apps, Linux on the desktop may be a non starter. If your needs are browser, media, productivity, and a growing slice of gaming, Linux on the desktop is increasingly realistic, especially with modern app distribution and Proton smoothing over long standing gaps.

Further Reading

The Verge published the first part of Nathan Edwards’ experiment explaining why he decided to install Linux on his gaming PC and what he hoped to escape from the Windows experience. https://www.theverge.com/tech/823337/switching-linux-gaming-desktop-cachyos

The Verge follow up diary describes the installation sticking, hardware results, and early everyday usage including gaming with Proton. https://www.theverge.com/tech/858910/linux-diary-gaming-desktop

StatCounter’s global desktop operating system share page provides a snapshot that places Linux at 3.86 percent worldwide for December 2025, which helps ground claims about adoption. https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/desktop/worldwide/

Microsoft’s support notice confirms that Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14 2025 and no longer receives free security updates, a timing factor that pushed many users to reconsider their platform. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-support-has-ended-on-october-14-2025-2ca8b313-1946-43d3-b55c-2b95b107f281

Valve’s Proton documentation and code repository describe Proton as the Steam compatibility tool that lets Windows games run on Linux, a key reason gaming is no longer an automatic deal breaker. https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Proton and Valve’s Steamworks overview is here https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/steamdeck/proton

Flatpak’s documentation explains the goal of distributing desktop apps consistently across Linux distributions, while Flathub provides the app catalog many users rely on for common software. https://docs.flatpak.org/en/latest/introduction.html and https://flathub.org/en

Connect with the Author

Curious about the inspiration behind The Unmaking of America or want to follow the latest news and insights from J.T. Mercer? Dive deeper and stay connected through the links below—then explore Vera2 for sharp, timely reporting.

About the Author

Discover more about J.T. Mercer’s background, writing journey, and the real-world events that inspired The Unmaking of America. Learn what drives the storytelling and how this trilogy came to life.
[Learn more about J.T. Mercer]

NRP Dispatch Blog

Stay informed with the NRP Dispatch blog, where you’ll find author updates, behind-the-scenes commentary, and thought-provoking articles on current events, democracy, and the writing process.
[Read the NRP Dispatch]

Vera2 — News & Analysis 

Looking for the latest reporting, explainers, and investigative pieces? Visit Vera2, North River Publications’ news and analysis hub. Vera2 covers politics, civil society, global affairs, courts, technology, and more—curated with context and built for readers who want clarity over noise.
[Explore Vera2] 

Whether you’re interested in the creative process, want to engage with fellow readers, or simply want the latest updates, these resources are the best way to stay in touch with the world of The Unmaking of America—and with the broader news ecosystem at Vera2.