Something has been happening recently; people have been slowly escaping the Windows ecosystem and moving to something new. The question is, why are people leaving the user-friendly environment of Windows, and why are they abandoning the safety and security? The story behind this involves drama, Microsoft stupidity, a penguin, and the end of the largest operating system.

It all started with the promise of a free update to the newest operating system that Microsoft was offering, Windows 11. On paper, it sounded like an upgrade, and the UI looked cool, so people decided to try it and explore the software's new changes. However, things did not go to plan. Microsoft decided it would be funny to add a new requirement called TPM, a security chip that makes it harder for malicious software to start up with a computer. This was a noble gesture, but this requirement acted as a block for old devices. This, however, wouldn’t be a huge problem as Windows 10 still worked well. However, the people on Windows 11 were not safe from Microsoft's wrath. It was promised as an update that would change the world of Windows; oh, it did, but not for the better. Windows recall had noble intentions, a sort of search history for your entire computer, but then it became apparent that recall was double-edged, and also allowed Microsoft to spy on Windows users. People hated this change and called for the recall to be disabled by default. However, many Windows users saw the writing on the wall for what was to come and began an exodus.

In April, an announcement was made by Microsoft that stated Windows 10 would be shut down in mid-October, and that people would be given a free upgrade to the software. This move by Microsoft was expected by many people, considering Windows 11 had been out for almost four years, and it was time to make it the default Windows that people would think of. However, a lot of people stuck on older hardware found it impossible to upgrade, due to the previously mentioned TPM requirement. Many tech newsletters and blogs predicted that the end of Windows 10 would lead to an e-waste catastrophe. Microsoft, however, seemed to ignore all the warnings and continue on the march to the end of Windows 10. On October 14th, 2025, Windows 10 support was officially ended, and everyone still using it was left without any future security updates.

The controversies and disappointments from Microsoft caused many people to look for a new operating system; some people went to macOS for its simplicity and its intuitive nature, and others went to search for something new, and in the end, they found something ancient: Linux. Linux is a free and open-source kernel that allows users to build their own operating system. Fortunately, for the non-tech-savvy people, many operating systems already exist for Linux, the most notable being Ubuntu, Arch, and Fedora. Each of these had its benefits and its own degree of simplicity, but the biggest reason why people chose Linux is for its stability and performance. Linux was able to rejuvenate old laptops and breathe life into them; with Linux, people were able to avoid polluting the environment with their old laptops.

While Windows still has over 70% of computers in its control, more and more people have been boycotting it for more transparent companies and operating systems like macOS and Linux. I wouldn’t be surprised if, within a few years, the Windows percentage fell to 50% or even lower. In conclusion, you should count your days on Windows as numbered, because sooner or later, there will be a new and cooler operating system in town, and it might very well be Linux.