France is moving away from Microsoft Windows. The country announced plans to move some government computers currently running Windows to the open-source operating system Linux in a bid to further reduce dependence on U.S. technology.
Linux is an open source operating system that is free to download and use, and includes a variety of customized distributions that are tailored and designed for specific use cases and operations.
French Minister David Amiel said in a statement that the initiative was aimed at “reclaiming our digital destiny” by reducing dependence on American tech companies (translation). Amiel said the French government could no longer accept not having control over its own data and digital infrastructure.
The French government did not provide a specific schedule for the switchover or what kind of allocation it was considering. The switchover will begin with computers at the French government’s digital agency DINUM. A Microsoft spokesperson did not comment on the news when contacted by TechCrunch.
This is France’s latest effort to reduce its dependence on US tech giants and take advantage of technology and cloud services originating within its borders, known as digital sovereignty, in the wake of increasing instability and unpredictability on the part of the Trump administration.
Lawmakers and government leaders across Europe are increasingly aware of the pressing threats they face at home and their overreliance on American technology. In January, the European Parliament voted to adopt a report instructing the European Commission to identify areas where the EU can reduce its dependence on foreign providers.
Since taking office in January 2025, Trump has ramped up attacks on world leaders, openly capturing some and aiding the murder of others. He also weaponized sanctions against his critics, including judges at the International Criminal Court, effectively cutting them off from doing business with American companies. Those sanctioned have reported having their bank accounts closed and access to U.S. high-tech services suspended, as well as other U.S. services cut off.
The French government’s decision to retire Windows comes months after the government announced it would stop using Microsoft Teams for video conferencing in favor of French-made Visio, a tool based on the open-source end-to-end encrypted video conferencing tool Jitsi.
The French government also said it plans to migrate its health data platform to a new, trusted platform by the end of the year.
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