European firms face Windows 10 security fallout as support ends, many turn to Linux

Microsoft ended official support for Windows 10 in October 2025, leaving roughly 17% of Windows PCs—about one in six devices—without free security updates. The remaining devices are exposed to an average of 1,903 active vulnerabilities, nearly three times the risk level of Windows 11 machines, according to a Lansweeper analysis.

Extended Security Updates are available only through paid subscriptions, with free coverage ending for the European Economic Area in October 2026. As organizations confront rising security threats, a growing number of users in France, Portugal and across Europe are testing Linux as an alternative. Recent personal testing shows that modern Linux distributions, such as Kubuntu, can be installed in minutes, support most common applications via web‑based or native packages, and offer a viable path for legacy hardware abandoned by Windows 11.

The shift highlights a broader trend: while Windows 11 now holds about 78% of the desktop market, the security gap and cost of updates are prompting enterprises to evaluate open‑source operating systems to maintain resilience and reduce expenses.