France is replacing 2.5 million Windows desktops with Linux - and I mapped out its new stack

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ZDNET key takeaways

• France's government is switching from Windows to a Linux desktop.
• The desktop will be based on the police Linux distro, GendBuntu.
• The distro includes France's own suite of open-source desktop programs.

For decades, I've been saying Linux is a better desktop than Windows. Lately, more people have been switching to Linux. There are many reasons to swap Windows for Linux, including Microsoft leaving Windows 10 users in the lurch, the increased viability of gaming on Linux, easier-to-use Linux desktop distros, broader hardware support, and rising concerns about security, privacy, and data control. 

Lately, however, there's a new reason: many countries outside the US don't trust American software companies, especially Microsoft. 

Also: My top 5 Linux desktops of 2026 (so far) - and I've tried them all

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