France's Government Ditches Windows for Linux. Defining US Tech Dependence as Strategic Risk
Author: Simon Batt
Published: April 10, 2026, 8:50 AM (EDT)
Simon holds a bachelor's degree in computer science and has been writing about technology since 2014, using Windows devices since the Windows 3.1 era. After working at an indie game studio and handling his family's computer problems, he discovered his passion for writing and decided to use that skill to write about all technology-related topics.
Since starting his writing career, he has contributed to various media outlets including WorldStart, Listverse, and MakeTechEasier. After settling at MakeUseOf in February 2019, he moved to its sister site XDA, where he now reports on the latest news in Windows, Linux, and DIY electronics.
Summary
France plans to reduce its dependence on proprietary technology from outside the European Union and strengthen open source and digital sovereignty.
DINUM has instructed each ministry to assess its dependency and establish a plan to move away from non-EU technology by fall of this year.
France plans to replace Windows with Linux, with EU open source options including openSUSE.
As open source tools are quickly catching up with proprietary software, people are realizing they are giving corporations far more control than they thought. Ultimately, if two apps do essentially the same thing, one is open source and the other can cut off service at any time, it becomes difficult to choose the latter.
Now the French government has declared "enough." It announced a policy to move away from proprietary technology outside the European Union and focus more on open source solutions, one of which is replacing Windows with Linux.
[Linux sets new record in US market share. People appear to be moving away from Windows toward open source competitors]
Is Microsoft's grip on Windows users beginning to waver?
(Article link from July 18, 2025)
France Begins Parting Ways with US Technology and Moving to Open Source Solutions
Europe Also Has Plenty of Its Own EU-Based Alternatives
According to a statement released on the official website of DINUM (Interministerial Committee for Digital) at numerique.gouv.fr, DINUM clarified its position on so-called "extra-European" technology. While the term essentially means outside the European Union, some of DINUM's stated goals and remarks clearly declare a break with the United States.
One of the key elements of this 'break from foreign technology' is DINUM's plan to "transition from Windows to workstations equipped with Linux operating systems." While this is one of DINUM's biggest goals, the government plans to expand this mindset to all technology fields. Each ministry must establish a concrete plan to move away from non-EU technology by fall of this year, though the actual timing of the transition has not yet been confirmed.
Minister of Public Administration and Accounting David Amiel took a strong stance on breaking away from non-EU proprietary technology (machine translation from French original):
"The state can no longer simply acknowledge dependence. We must break free from that dependence. We must reduce our dependence on American tools and reclaim control over our digital destiny. We can no longer tolerate our data, infrastructure, and strategic decisions being subject to rules, prices, directions of development, and risks that we cannot control. The transition has already begun. Our ministries, operating agencies, and industrial partners will now undertake an unprecedented effort to assess our dependence and strengthen digital sovereignty. Digital sovereignty is not optional."
So where will Linux fit in? It will be interesting to see what choices DINUM makes going forward. If the main concern is being tied to proprietary business models outside the EU, then open source solutions are likely to not be a major issue regardless of where the software is made. If they really want 'EU-only,' there are options. There are open source software made within the EU, such as the openSUSE operating system and LibreOffice productivity tool. The range of choices doesn't look too narrow.
▶ Original source: https://www.xda-developers.com/frances-government-ditching-windows-for-linux/
