2025 sees progress in Linux gaming but Windows holds edge

A PC Gamer article reflects on 2025 as a potential breakthrough year for Linux gaming. Despite advancements, the author notes that Windows continues to provide features unavailable on Linux. This highlights ongoing challenges in the shift to open-source operating systems for gamers.

In a year-end piece published on December 25, 2025, PC Gamer explores the state of Linux gaming. The article, titled '2025 might have been the year for Linux gaming, but there's still a way to go until I switch from Windows,' suggests significant strides were made in compatibility and performance for games on Linux distributions.

However, the author expresses reluctance to abandon Windows entirely. 'Windows, sadly, still offers some things that Linux cannot,' the description states, pointing to persistent gaps in software support, driver stability, or exclusive features that cater to PC gamers.

This perspective underscores the maturation of Linux as a gaming platform while acknowledging that full parity with Windows remains elusive. For enthusiasts eyeing a switch, the article serves as a cautious assessment, emphasizing that while 2025 marked progress, practical barriers continue to favor Microsoft's ecosystem.

The discussion aligns with broader trends in open-source adoption, where Linux has gained traction through tools like Proton for running Windows games, yet proprietary elements in gaming hardware and software keep Windows dominant.

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Illustration of a gaming setup showing Steam survey with Linux reaching 3.05%, highlighting growth amid Windows 10 support end.
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Linux reaches 3.05% in Steam's October 2025 hardware survey

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Linux has surpassed the 3% mark among Steam users for the first time, reaching 3.05% in the October 2025 hardware survey. This milestone reflects gains across distributions like Bazzite, Ubuntu, and Mint, with SteamOS remaining the most popular at 27.18% of Linux users. The increase of 0.41% from the previous month coincides with the end of Windows 10 support.

Building on its 2025 assessment of Linux gaming progress amid Windows advantages, a PC Gamer opinion piece dated January 1, 2026, declares Linux reliable for everyday desktop use and urges readers to switch next year for true PC ownership.

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Linux gaming has finally become great, thanks to advancements in specific distributions. An article highlights four distros paving the way for better performance. The author predicts 2026 as the year of the Linux desktop.

The new owner of digital game store GOG.com, Michał Kiciński, has sharply criticized Microsoft's Windows operating system in a recent interview, expressing surprise at its market dominance. GOG's managing director indicated that improving Linux support is now part of the company's strategy for 2026. This comes amid growing interest in Linux among PC gamers.

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Valve's October 2025 Steam Hardware and Software Survey shows Linux usage climbing to 3.05 percent among Steam users, marking a significant milestone for the open-source operating system. This represents a 50 percent increase from a year ago, driven largely by the Steam Deck and improved game compatibility. Windows usage has dipped below 95 percent as a result.

Valve has updated its Steam Hardware and Software Survey for December 2025, raising the Linux market share from an initial 3.19% to a record 3.58%. This adjustment highlights growing adoption of Linux for gaming, driven partly by the Steam Deck. Windows remains dominant at 94.23%, with macOS at 2.18%.

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With Windows 10 reaching its end of support in October 2025, over half a million users are switching to Linux distributions like Zorin instead of upgrading to Windows 11. The rigid hardware requirements for Microsoft's latest OS have left many with older machines unable to make the jump. Zorin OS, designed to mimic Windows, has seen a surge in downloads from Windows users seeking a seamless alternative.

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