Linux smashes past 5% on the Steam Survey for the first time

Quoting: Eike

Quoting: CaldathrasAnybody with a Microsoft Account can easily access the program.

AFAIK, that's EU only? Others need to jump through additional hoops?

Quoting: PlayingOnLinuxphoneYes, it was just for EU.

Quoting: CaldathrasWith the free year of extended support, Win10 EOL is really a bit of a fiction.

And not having a MS account (which was one of the many reasons not to use W11) still makes W10 EOL for EU citizens, too.

Yes, enrollment is automatic in the EU. In North America, it is essentially opt-in. You can enroll in ESU at no additional cost if you are syncing your PC Settings. These settings are enabled by default. The only hoop is that you have to register your Microsoft Account to enable the support. You can go back to an offline account for logins right after registering.

Quoting: PlayingOnLinuxphoneWhen I speak "because of W10 EOL" I include all the reasons people may don't want to switch to W11 as online account, Copilot, broken features, advertisement on desktop, bloatware, trackers, "feature" updates and so on. To me the EOL is the term that indirectly speaks about all these problems.

To me, those are separate and distinct issues from EOL but all good reasons to drop Windows in favor of Linux.

Last edited by Caldathras on 4 Apr 2026 at 3:26 pm UTC

I really dont think W10 EOL had as much to do with this. At its core it was WINE and all contributors big and small improving Linux desktop. Devs of software like Mangohud, GoOverlay, vkVasalt, DXVK, Proton GE and the many whose dedication and work (may) have gone unnoticed. Linux simply got better one line of code at a time until it culminated in good usability. Valve was the catalyst and funder who made alot happen. If these things did not, people would still be using Windows, EOL or not.

Other considerations are memory shortage, old hardware (tpm or RX 580), and social media creators promoting Linux. We saw LTT, Jay, GamersNexus among other cover Linux.

Quoting: LinuxwarperDevs of software like Mangohud, GoOverlay, vkVasalt, DXVK, Proton GE and the many whose dedication and work (may) have gone unnoticed. Linux simply got better one line of code at a time until it culminated in good usability.

Very much so. And it's hard to find Windows equivalents of these tools that work just as well as the Linux-based ones. I'm thinking of Mangohud in particular.

Quoting: Linuxwarperpeople would still be using Windows, EOL or not.

I manage the tech for the small business where I work. My employer has no intention of tossing out perfectly good hardware just to meet the requirements for Win11. I did the research and offered the option of transitioning to Linux. My employer was quite prepared to remain on Win10, EOL or not. When I discovered that the extended support program existed, and could be had for free simply by registering a Microsoft Account, my employer jumped on that rather than switching to Linux. The $30 USD a year option to extend that support to 3 years will likely be embraced if there is no free option to continue. I still hold out hopes of convincing my employer to eventually move to Linux. We'll see.

Quoting: kaktuspalme

Quoting: WORMI got asked to submit my specs 3 times this last month lmao

All different devices but all Linux

Whenever I get asked, I get asked on all the devices I have. To me it looks like they select random users, not random pcs.

I would say its on a per device basis, you probably get asked on all devices the same day by chance.
The survey gets automatically triggered if one year has passed, there is a counter in the .steam/steam/config/config.vdf file. (path can vary a bit by distro)

Quoting: spacemonkey

Quoting: pete910

Quoting: spacemonkeyOr could this be people joining Linus' (LTT Linus) Linux Challenge?

That was last year was it not?

Which failed IIRC.

They are doing another one now. As we speak.

Don't tell me! Nothing works also all programs crash.....

Odd that prety much any distro works on just about anything apart from some real weird obscure setup.

Maybe I’m been a bit cynical 😁

Quoting: LinuxwarperI really dont think W10 EOL had as much to do with this.

Don't you see the graph of the article? It has a lot to do.

You are totally right about all the work, but EOL is the final push many people required. At the end everything works together: software development, W11 sloperating system, hardware support, the increased user base over the last 5 years and finally the media that jumped on board last year to push Linux. Still, without W10 EOL we would be around 3.x% in best case scenario, I am pretty sure (which would also be 300% of 5 years ago, so the trend is present with or without EOL).

Quoting: Nickname

Quoting: kaktuspalme

Quoting: WORMI got asked to submit my specs 3 times this last month lmao

All different devices but all Linux

Whenever I get asked, I get asked on all the devices I have. To me it looks like they select random users, not random pcs.

I would say its on a per device basis, you probably get asked on all devices the same day by chance.
The survey gets automatically triggered if one year has passed, there is a counter in the .steam/steam/config/config.vdf file. (path can vary a bit by distro)

Maybe my memory is wrong, but as far as I remember I got asked on all devices at least the last 3 times. I also didn't install all my devices on the same day. In fact I installed CachyOS some weeks ago and got asked there as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KwaXR-7fZE

Now that I'm back near my computer, here's the usual graph breaking down the proportions between Deck and desktop Linux. Now with a five-month moving average to smooth out some of the noise.

Thanks for the graph. Man, the serious growth is actually desktop Linux not Deck, eh?
(side note: Looks like the Chinese don't use Mac a whole lot, either)

Quoting: Purple Library GuyThanks for the graph. Man, the serious growth is actually desktop Linux not Deck, eh?
(side note: Looks like the Chinese don't use Mac a whole lot, either)

There's been such a difference in the conversation about Linux gaming from the gaming press, YouTubers, and general tech people since Valve released their high-profile Linux gaming demonstration device. Even if you've never held a Deck in your hands you know that Linux gaming is awesome - something that we've known for ages, but the wider population needed to be shown.

Last edited by CatKiller on 8 Apr 2026 at 8:56 pm UTC

Quoting: CatKiller

Quoting: Purple Library GuyThanks for the graph. Man, the serious growth is actually desktop Linux not Deck, eh?
(side note: Looks like the Chinese don't use Mac a whole lot, either)

There's been such a difference in the conversation about Linux gaming from the gaming press, YouTubers, and general tech people since Valve released their high-profile Linux gaming demonstration device. Even if you've never held a Deck in your hands you know that Linux gaming is awesome - something that we've known for ages, but the wider population needed to be shown.

Oh, agreed. I don't mean to say the Deck hasn't had a huge impact. It's been an amazing catalyst. And even now, I notice game developers are often doing this or that that benefits Linux use because they're targeting the Deck, rather than desktop Linux. It looms large in people's imaginations.
Nonetheless, it's interesting to notice that the recent end of the 5-month-rolling shows desktop Linux at three times the size of Deck, and rising fast where Deck is fairly static.

Quoting: kaktuspalme

Quoting: Purple Library Guy11% for English speaking . . . that's insane. But, once again says to me that something needs to be done about China not doing Linux.

I still don't understand why asian countries and china especially adopt Linux slower then the rest of the world. One would think they would be happy not relying on US closed source Software.

Asians like gachas and all sorts of multiplayer titles and a lot of them doesn't work under Linux. Valorant? a BIG FAT NO! Hoyoverse titles? A BIG FAT NO!

And this is what M$ is clinging to, Kernel Anticheat games.

Quoting: Purple Library GuyOh, agreed. I don't mean to say the Deck hasn't had a huge impact. It's been an amazing catalyst. And even now, I notice game developers are often doing this or that that benefits Linux use because they're targeting the Deck, rather than desktop Linux. It looms large in people's imaginations.
Nonetheless, it's interesting to notice that the recent end of the 5-month-rolling shows desktop Linux at three times the size of Deck, and rising fast where Deck is fairly static.

For sure. The way I interpret the data is something like this:

Up to 2021, Linux gaming is basically a punchline for people that had never tried it.

July 2021, the Deck is revealed and everyone that tries it really likes it - especially the software. Lots of coverage.
"Isn't Linux gaming just a punchline?"
"Nuh uh."
Little bump.

2022, the Deck is released and the Linux total goes up by how fast Valve can make units. The now-acknowledged benefits of Linux gaming are still seen as just a Deck thing - "maybe when SteamOS is released for desktop PCs I'll consider switching." Desktop Linux stays pretty flat.

2023, the initial rush of purchases is over and Windows-based competitor devices start to be released. Deck growth slows down. Now people can directly compare the Linux experience with the Windows experience on the class of hardware that's still newsworthy. Linux smashes it. Desktop Linux starts to grow. "I guess Linux really is better than Windows."

2024 and the conversation has completely turned around for those touched by gaming-adjacent coverage. Linux is seen as the desirable option, and people consider the balance between the pain of switching and the pain of using Windows (the latter of which is widely viewed as considerable because of Microsoft choices). Desktop Linux usage explodes. Game devs and publishers appreciate the mainstream sentiment about the Deck and put in special effort even though the Deck is at the same "punchline" levels of usage as desktop Linux used to be. Something not being allowed to work on Linux now needs to be justified rather than being accepted as the natural order of things.

Quoting: kaktuspalme

Quoting: Purple Library Guy11% for English speaking . . . that's insane. But, once again says to me that something needs to be done about China not doing Linux.

I still don't understand why asian countries and china especially adopt Linux slower then the rest of the world. One would think they would be happy not relying on US closed source Software.

A. It depends on the asian country. India is an Asian country and has an 18% overall Linux penetration in their market.
B. This's deliberate market strategy. Microsoft has put a lot of resources and some excellent ideas to Asian ecosystem construction. They were already big in western markets when Asia started to become realistic and they used this to obtain marketshare.
A two tricks Microsoft pulled:
- intentional piracy in Asian markets.
Asian markets tend to have pretty protectionist policies one of which is forced technology transfer, but policy only works through legal methods. Piracy and smuggling circumvent official policy.
- solid localisation: asian languages are very well supported in Windows

Quoting: PlayingOnLinuxphone

Quoting: LinuxwarperI really dont think W10 EOL had as much to do with this.

Don't you see the graph of the article? It has a lot to do.

You are totally right about all the work, but EOL is the final push many people required. At the end everything works together: software development, W11 sloperating system, hardware support, the increased user base over the last 5 years and finally the media that jumped on board last year to push Linux. Still, without W10 EOL we would be around 3.x% in best case scenario, I am pretty sure (which would also be 300% of 5 years ago, so the trend is present with or without EOL).

That's what I meant, without the heavy lifting EOL wouldnt matter much. Imagine Linux in 2010-2015, people would have switched and had a lackluster user experience and then go back to Windows. Or potentially get new hardware (MAC?).

Quoting: CaldathrasVery much so. And it's hard to find Windows equivalents of these tools that work just as well as the Linux-based ones. I'm thinking of Mangohud in particular.

There is someone developing a RadeonChill like feature called MangoChill: https://farnoy.dev/posts/mangochill. It seems promising.

Quoting: CatKillerThe way I interpret the data is something like this:

You forgot 2025, the year of Linux and Proton. For many years it was possible to play Windows games on Linux. I did it my own in 2015. But I run in so many issues, that it took not long to game on Windows again, which also means to work on Windows, because dual boot never worked for me (don't want to shut down PC 10 times a day just to switch). Valve was working towards improving the gaming experience with Proton on top of the awesome WINE developments. Now we reach 2021, your explanation is fitting well I guess.

After Steam Deck people realize Proton is a real game changer, a lot of people decide to switch soon. Now 2025 started, a lot of people already switched, told about it, and a lot of things happen in this year. Desktop Linux became for the first time a mainstream topic, Windows 10 became EOL, W11 became worse and many people do not want to switch to Windows 11 (a bigger issue than any previous Windows Version "upgrade"). That pushed Linux even further into the mainstream. People were starting organizing huge Linux installation parties world wide. In December the monthly digital independence day was started by 39C3. New major versions of Linux distros became a never seen amount of downloads from Windows PCs. There are first GPU benchmarks for desktop GPUs running on Linux, Valve announced new hardware, mesa drivers became huge performance improvements "30% here, 30% there, 500% for this low end setup, ..." KDE got donations far beyond everything ever seen ...

I probably told just a fraction of things happened last year and was a result of all the previous done work and W11 enshittification + W10 EOL all together in one year.

Quoting: LinuxwarperThat's what I meant, without the heavy lifting EOL wouldnt matter much. Imagine Linux in 2010-2015, people would have switched and had a lackluster user experience and then go back to Windows.

2015 I was trying Linux, but it was not ready then, even with tinkering the troubles where too much. But Linux was otherwise that great, I knew I would come back in 5 years. Okay it was 10 years for desktop (8 considering my switch to mobile Linux, which was a consequence of Corona supply chain issues, otherwise 5 years would be on point). When I saw Linux becomes a thing for more people in 2023, I knew 2025 will be "the year" and the EOL will push it even further. I just never expected it become such a huge thing.

Quoting: PlayingOnLinuxphone2015 I was trying Linux, but it was not ready then, even with tinkering the troubles where too much. But Linux was otherwise that great, I knew I would come back in 5 years. Okay it was 10 years for desktop (8 considering my switch to mobile Linux, which was a consequence of Corona supply chain issues, otherwise 5 years would be on point). When I saw Linux becomes a thing for more people in 2023, I knew 2025 will be "the year" and the EOL will push it even further. I just never expected it become such a huge thing.

2015 was, correct me if I am wrong, one of the years where DXVK/VKD3D and other Proton fixes and codes were maturing or being improved. It was a great step but that year the usability for normal users was not great. I think people who bring up "Year of Linux", jokingly or seriously dilute the nuances and improvements that Linux has made. Linux gaming has improved so much and while it's not/wasn't viable for most people it is now for many. Those many who primarily play singleplayer games, other factors like (semi) old hardware (RX 580, VEGA, RDNA 2) and Windows repulsive "features" also strengthen the proposition of Linux.

When I watched LTT video on Linux I found it lackluster because if you want to do a scientific or semi scientific/proper look at Linux gaming you would take a OS and software stack (including DXVK and Proton) of 2015-2016 and compare it to 2026. Then you would come to the conclusion - holy shit it has improved so much, and you dont need to do a video to understand "No, Linux is not ready for 90% of users" (it's not rocket science)! But certainly people make lazy joke of "Year of Linux year of Linux!" as if everyone switching to Linux means its a net positive. All Linux needs is enough users to get and sustain 1:1 software support, to not be devalued as a platform. And maybe more than that we also need users and people who have FOSS and free spirit in their veins. Not people who will sell out and cast aside what makes Linux so amazing for short term gains. Otherwise slowly but surely, Linux will become poisoned to a degree or another and look like yet another walled garden/corporate platform like Android and Windows. It may not take a year or two, or even five, but if enough people who dont value free spirit (regardless of platform they come from) Linux will be poisoned. And with all respect but forking a project does not bring with it the ecosystem surrounding it. If you fork a project that has been taken over by a corporation you still dont get the hundreds or thousands of developers who revolve around said software, you have to begin from new. Like leaving behind a homestead and moving far away and rebuilding because your original homestead is overrun by bandits and what not.

Of course I dont mean to imply that we should gatekeep but anyone who values software freedom/FOSS should not be naive in thinking that everyone thinks the same as you and would stand by the free principles of Linux or that fre spirit of Linux will persist as corporate and greed minded individuals come over to the platform. And we should educate new users about the FOSS/free spirit of Linux and why it's worth fighting for. If you read this far thanks for attending my TED talk lol.

Last edited by Linuxwarper on 11 Apr 2026 at 3:22 pm UTC

Quoting: Linuxwarper2015 was, correct me if I am wrong, one of the years where DXVK/VKD3D and other Proton fixes and codes were maturing or being improved.

You're a bit off, Proton was released in 2018.