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Linux Momentum

Linux is riding real momentum in 2025 as more people get fed up with Windows 11’s hardware requirements, constant online integration, and forced upgrade feeling, and start looking for an OS that respects their control over the machine instead. Who wants AI in Notepad anyways. At the same time, gaming on Linux has quietly become “good enough” for most players, with Proton and SteamOS running a large majority of popular Steam titles smoothly and, in many cases, within a few percent of Windows performance or better. Tools like Lutris, Heroic, and gaming‑friendly distros (Bazzite) mean you no longer have to be a power user to get your library going. For a lot of single‑player, co‑op games, and even multiplayer games, it’s almost plug‑and‑play. Valve’s hardware and software strategy is quietly reshaping the PC gaming landscape in Linux’s favor and they did a tremendous job there. Also gaming‑focused distros like Nobara and Bazzite offer near plug‑and‑play setups, so new users avoid most of the old Linux “tinkering” stereotype. No doubt, Linux in 2025 still has rough edges, but they are increasingly specific rather than universal. Anti‑cheat is the big holdout: some competitive multiplayer titles either do not work or require workarounds, which still makes Windows preferable for certain esports games. For primarily single‑player or co‑op gamers, these gaps are often irrelevant, and they gain stability, control, and a cleaner system in exchange.

Crucially, the story in 2025 isn’t just about games: everyday desktop life on Linux (web browsing, office work, chat apps, media, and coding) is now straightforward, with good hardware support, polished desktops like GNOME and KDE, and easy software installation via app stores and flatpaks. Many users report that once they set up their favorite browser, office suite, and a couple of communication tools, Linux feels like a calm, predictable environment compared with the constant churn of Windows 11, making it attractive both as a gaming platform and as a daily driver.

Putting it all together, 2025 feels less like “the year of Linux on the desktop” as a meme and more like a real inflection point. Steam’s own stats support that and show Linux hitting record share on the platform and growing faster than before, even if the overall percentage is still modest. Community reports and long‑term tests from Linux gamers with large libraries confirm that thousands of titles now “just work,” often with performance equal or better than Windows.

The Turnaround

This marks a turnaround in the long lasting dominion of Windows and how it’s perceived by broader, even non-tech audience. Microsoft really did everything they can to push people away from their well-established eco-system, people looking for alternatives, and finding that within the Linux community. Valve’s strategy empowering gaming on Linux is paying off (they seem to be the good guys here). Imagine a world, where the computer you’ve bought is actually yours. It does not spy on you. It does not force certain actions on you. Instead, it works for you. You can be an avid gamer or a desktop user. It doesn’t matter. I think we don’t need to imagine it anymore. It’s here, or at least it’s more close than ever before.

As you know, Linux has been my daily driver for years and I kept an eye on how things evolved. I am super happy to see that development, also in previous years, but personally I always had a dual boot setup with Windows (10). Despite not playing frequently, I still kept that, to not close any doors when I really wanted to play something which doesn’t work on Linux. It has always bothered me to indirectly support Microsoft. That there was no real alternative. I knew for quite some time that the moment I have the chance to ditch Windows, I will, but Linux was just not there yet. Until 2025!

Over the past two years I’ve though noticed that I’ve only been in my Windows when I thought it was “time to update”, not for gaming. Ultimately, Windows 10 being end-of-life gave the final argument for me to do it despite not playing on my Windows for over 1.5 years.

At least for me, 2025 is the year where I finally ditched Windows altogether! Quick partition deletion, resizing, and that space is now available for my Linux setup. Nice!

Recommendations and caveats

I know, this blog often focused on the heavy nerdy topics, like #nix, though I think Linux is moving into the right direction. People who never considered it picking it up, or at least questioning the current situation. Adoption and usage is significantly increasing. If people start to question their existing behavior and come back with positive feedback on how they felt “they got control over their systems back”, it’s the perfect time for you to at least start thinking as well!

You don’t need to be a developer. You don’t need to be that tech guy. You can make the switch, especially if you just do some browsing, checking mails, and some writing. No need to ditch old hardware, they usually still work. Even if you’re a gamer, you can do the switch. Gaming support has never been better.

Keep in mind, leaving your comfort zone is usually perceived as discomfort. Maintain an open mindset while trying it out. Nobody forces you to do the switch. It’s all about giving it a try!

As closing words, let me give you my two cents what you should be looking at and what you should avoid. Those points are heavily opinionated, keep that in mind!

Here are some references:

#linux