When Windows 10 hit end of support on 14 October 2025, a chunk of gamers did something that would have sounded unthinkable a few years ago: they switched to Linux instead of upgrading to Windows 11. The numbers back it up. Linux crossed 3% of Steam users for the first time that very month, then kept climbing to 5.33% by March 2026. For SA gamers weighing their next move, it is worth understanding why.

Quick Answer

Windows 10 lost official support on 14 October 2025. That same month, Linux passed 3% of Steam users for the first time, and by March 2026 its share reached 5.33%. The end of Windows 10 pushed gamers who did not want Windows 11 toward Linux as a real alternative rather than a fringe experiment.

Why Some Gamers Skipped Windows 11

The obvious path off Windows 10 was Windows 11, but not everyone took it. Windows 11 carries hardware requirements that leave some perfectly capable machines out in the cold, and a section of the gaming community simply did not want to make the jump. With official Windows 10 support ending, those users faced a choice, and a growing number looked sideways to Linux rather than upward to Windows 11.

What made that choice viable is how far Linux gaming has come. The compatibility tooling that lets Windows games run on Linux has matured to the point where a large slice of the Steam library plays well, and dedicated gaming-focused Linux distributions have made the experience far more approachable than it once was. The end-of-support deadline simply gave hesitant gamers a reason to finally try it.

The Numbers Tell the Story

The timing is hard to ignore. Linux had hovered below 3% of Steam users for years, and it crossed that threshold for the first time in the exact month Windows 10 support ended. By March 2026 it had reached 5.33%, a meaningful jump in a market where platform shares move slowly. That is not a coincidence, it is gamers acting on a deadline.

Part of the momentum also comes from the rise of Linux-based handheld gaming devices, which have introduced a huge audience to gaming on Linux without them even thinking of it as switching operating systems. That familiarity has made the move on desktop feel less daunting. If a handheld is on your radar, the handheld gaming console range is a good place to see what the Linux gaming ecosystem looks like in practice.

Should SA Gamers Make the Move?

Linux is genuinely worth considering if your machine does not meet Windows 11's requirements or you would rather not move to it. Be realistic about the caveats, though. Some titles with certain anti-cheat systems do not run on Linux, so check that the games you actually play are supported before you commit. For a gamer whose library is well covered, the experience can be excellent.

If you do switch, a gaming-focused distribution smooths the setup considerably, and the broad compatibility tooling handles most of the heavy lifting. For those who would rather stay on a tried-and-tested Windows machine, the best-selling gaming PCs remain the straightforward path. The point is that, for the first time, Linux is a serious option on the table rather than a curiosity.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Windows 10 reach end of support?

Windows 10 reached official end of support on 14 October 2025. After that date it stopped receiving the standard updates, which prompted many users to decide between Windows 11 and alternatives like Linux.

How much has Linux gaming grown recently?

Linux crossed 3% of Steam users for the first time in October 2025, the same month Windows 10 support ended, and reached 5.33% by March 2026. That is a notable rise in a market where shares usually shift slowly.

Why would a gamer choose Linux over Windows 11?

Some machines do not meet Windows 11's hardware requirements, and some gamers simply prefer not to switch to it. With Linux gaming compatibility now mature and gaming-focused distributions widely available, it has become a practical alternative.

Will all my games work on Linux?

Most do, thanks to mature compatibility tooling, but not all. Certain titles with specific anti-cheat systems will not run. Check that the games you play are supported before making the switch.

Do handheld gaming devices use Linux?

Many popular handheld gaming devices run on Linux, which has introduced a large audience to Linux gaming without them framing it as an OS change. That exposure has made switching on desktop feel far more approachable.

Whether you are eyeing a Linux switch or sticking with a proven Windows rig, your next machine should match how you actually game. Browse the handheld and gaming console range at Evetech to see where the Linux gaming wave is heading.