this post was submitted on 18 Jul 2025
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Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Clickbaity title on the original article, but I think this is the most important point to consider from it:

After getting to 1% in approximately 2011, it took about a decade to double that to 2%. The jump from 2% to 3% took just over two years, and 3% to 4% took less than a year.

Get the picture? The Linux desktop is growing, and it's growing fast.

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[–] geneva_convenience@lemmy.ml 26 points 23 hours ago (3 children)
[–] Cricket@lemmy.zip 16 points 21 hours ago (1 children)

They used a different data source for this one and mentioned why they preferred this one over the one from the day before.

[–] blind3rdeye@aussie.zone 6 points 15 hours ago (2 children)

So what you're saying is that if we just keep switching to different data sources, we could get above 50% in less than two months!

And even at 50%, Nvidia still won't release Linux drivers.

[–] NoXPhasma@lemmy.world 1 points 15 hours ago
[–] BunScientist@lemmy.zip 22 points 23 hours ago

at this point linux will have more than 100% market share by next week!!!!!!!!

[–] squaresinger@lemmy.world 4 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

I read a similarly sensationalist headline with 4% two months ago and 5% yesterday. What's up with the headline makers?

[–] BlameTheAntifa@lemmy.world 9 points 22 hours ago (3 children)

Linux is gaining market share quickly as the Windows 10 EOL rapidly approaches. There is still a massive amount of perfectly great hardware out there that isn’t officially supported by Windows 11, and only 3 months until Windows 10 reaches EOL.

[–] squaresinger@lemmy.world 5 points 20 hours ago* (last edited 5 hours ago) (1 children)

According to more realistic data, e.g. https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/desktop/worldwide/#monthly-202406-202506 the market share has been around 4% for the last year, even slightly declining in the meantime.

But that doesn't make for nice, sensationalist headline stoked by wishful thinking.

Sorry to say, Linux isn't going mainstream anytime soon and by and large the end of Win10 just means that the comparatively small group of users still running 5+ years old hardware will just buy a new PC or keep using their outdated OS.

In fact, if you combine the market share of outdated Windows versions (XP-8.1) you get a market share very close to the market share of Linux.

As much as we all would love it if the Linux market share goes to 50% in fall, it's not going to happen.

The main issues with Linux adoption (it's not preinstalled and most people have no idea which OS they are using and really can't be bothered to reinstall) are just as present now as they were for the last 30 years.

[–] PushButton@lemmy.world 3 points 19 hours ago

Bursting the Linux hype bubble on Lemmy, that's courage!

[–] mnemonicmonkeys@sh.itjust.works 5 points 21 hours ago* (last edited 21 hours ago) (1 children)

This. Personally, I'm scrambling to get all my shit sorted out on my desktop before switching over

[–] Cricket@lemmy.zip 4 points 21 hours ago
[–] Cricket@lemmy.zip 4 points 21 hours ago

Agreed. I think we're still going to see a LOT of growth in Linux market share by the end of this year. I wouldn't be surprised if it's 7%-8% by then.