Trending Now - France Shifts 2.5 Million Desktops From Windows to Linux for Independence

WHO:

ZDNET - France's Interministerial Directorate for Digital Affairs (DINUM) is leading the transition.

ZDNET - David Amiel is France's minister of public action and accounts.

ZDNET - Anne Le Hénanff is France's minister delegate for artificial intelligence and digital technology.

ZDNET - Thierry Carrez is the general manager of Linux Foundation Europe.

WHAT:

ZDNET - France is replacing 2.5 million Windows desktops with Linux.

ZDNET - The new Linux desktop will be based on the GendBuntu distribution.

ZDNET - France has mandated that all ministries submit a migration plan to Linux and sovereign tooling by the fall of 2026.

ZDNET - France's Gendarmerie has been using GendBuntu on over 100,000 PCs since 2008.

ZDNET - The transition is expected to save France over €40 million.

WHERE:

ZDNET - The transition is taking place across France's government workstations.

WHEN:

ZDNET - The formal announcement of the transition was made on April 8, 2026.

ZDNET - The deadline for ministries to submit their migration plans is set for the fall of 2026.

ZDNET - The complete switchover to the new Linux desktop is expected by 2027.

WHY:

ZDNET - The motivation behind the transition is to reduce reliance on American technology and regain control over digital sovereignty.

ZDNET - David Amiel stated, "The State can no longer simply acknowledge its dependence; it must break free."

HOW:

ZDNET - France's transition will utilize the GendBuntu distribution, which is based on Ubuntu Long Term Support (LTS) versions.

ZDNET - The new Linux desktop will include a suite of open-source programs, including Tchap for messaging, Visio for video conferencing, and Docs for document editing.

(UPDATED April 13, 2026 23:16 UTC)

France is set to replace 2.5 million Windows desktops with a new Linux system based on the GendBuntu distribution, a move announced on Wednesday. The transition, led by the Interministerial Directorate for Digital Affairs and supported by ministers David Amiel and Anne Le Hénanff, aims to reduce reliance on American technology and is expected to save the country over €40 million. All ministries must submit their migration plans by the fall of 2026, with the complete switchover anticipated by 2027, utilizing a suite of open-source programs for various functions.