Linux surpasses 5% market share on US desktops for the first time.

New data reveals how the American desktop landscape is shifting. Linux has achieved a new milestone in the United States, breaking the 5 percent barrier for desktop operating system market share for the first time. The OS now holds 5.03 percent of the desktop market in the country, marking a significant landmark in the journey of open-source computing.

According to StatCounter's Global Stats for June 2025, Windows remains the clear leader, commanding 63.2 percent of the market, but it has experienced a steady decline, losing nearly 13 percentage points over the past ten years. Apple's presence, split between OS X at 16.57 percent and macOS at 7.72 percent, collectively accounts for nearly 24 percent. The "Unknown" operating system category accounts for 4.76 percent, while Chrome OS comprises 2.71 percent of the desktop ecosystem.

The growth of Linux beyond the five percent mark means it now surpasses the "Unknown" category for the first time, a symbolic threshold for the open-source community and advocates who have long pushed for wider adoption. This trend indicates a growing interest among American computer users in seeking alternatives to mainstream platforms.

Several factors have driven this renewed momentum for Linux. One notable contributor is user dissatisfaction with Microsoft's ecosystem. The upcoming end-of-life for Windows 10 has prompted owners of older hardware to reconsider upgrading, as Windows 11's requirements often necessitate new purchases. Additionally, ongoing privacy concerns, forced system updates, adware, and Microsoft's approach to AI data collection have motivated many to explore open-source platforms.

Source: www.techspot.com

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