France is transitioning away from Microsoft Windows. The nation announced plans to shift its government computers from Windows to the open-source operating system Linux to reduce dependence on U.S. technology.
Linux, a free and open-source operating system, offers various distributions tailored for specific needs.
French minister David Amiel stated that the move aims to “regain control of our digital destiny” by reducing reliance on U.S. tech companies, asserting that the government must maintain control over its data and digital infrastructure.
No specific timeline or Linux distributions were provided for the switch. Microsoft has yet to comment.
This decision is part of France’s broader effort to lessen its dependency on U.S. tech giants and promote digital sovereignty, motivated by increasing stability concerns regarding the Trump administration.
European lawmakers are increasingly aware of the risks of over-reliance on U.S. technology. In January, the European Parliament directed the European Commission to recognize areas for reducing dependency on foreign providers.
Since his January 2025 inauguration, Trump has escalated confrontations with world leaders and employed sanctions against critics, including International Criminal Court judges, restricting their access to U.S. services.
France’s decision follows its earlier announcement to replace Microsoft Teams with the French-developed Visio, based on the open-source Jitsi platform for video conferencing.
Additionally, the French government plans to transition its health data platform to a new trusted system by year-end.