Desktop Operating System Market Share WorldwidePosted on 08/20/2024 5:54:51 PM PDT by ShadowAce
Desktop Operating System Market Share WorldwideWhile this percentage might seem small to those unfamiliar with the operating system landscape, it represents a significant milestone for Linux and its dedicated community. What makes this achievement even more thrilling is the upward trajectory of Linux's adoption rate.
Linux's journey over the past year tells a story of slow but steady progress. Here's a breakdown of Linux's market share, month-by-month, between July 2023 and July 2024 by StatCounter:
| Month and Year | Linux Desktop Market Share |
|---|---|
| July 2023 | 3.12% |
| August 2023 | 3.18% |
| September 2023 | 3.02% |
| October 2023 | 2.92% |
| November 2023 | 3.22% |
| December 2023 | 3.83% |
| January 2024 | 3.77% |
| February 2024 | 4.03% |
| March 2024 | 4.05% |
| April 2024 | 3.88% |
| May 2024 | 3.77% |
| June 2024 | 4.05% |
| July 2024 | 4.45% |
This data reveals some interesting patterns:
These numbers represent millions of users worldwide choosing Linux as their primary desktop operating system, indicating a growing interest in open-source alternatives.
Several factors contribute to the growth of Linux adoption.
Firstly, there's a growing sentiment that Microsoft, with its Windows operating system, is faltering. Instances like Microsoft urging users to train their AI for free have left users feeling disgruntled and seeking alternative solutions like Linux. Adding fuel to the fire, the impending end-of-life for Windows 10 in October 2025 is causing many to consider a switch to Linux.
Secondly, the gaming landscape is changing, and the launch of the Steam Deck is playing a pivotal role in attracting new users to Linux. This handheld gaming device operates on a Linux-based system, introducing a whole new demographic - gamers - to the capabilities of Linux, and they're enjoying the experience.
Some other significant factors that contribute to Linux's increasing popularity are:
As a Linux enthusiast, I find the recent surge in Linux's popularity truly exciting! With the current trends, Linux may even reach a 5% market share in 2024.
According to the statistics from the past ten years, It took eight years for Linux to go from a 1% to 2% market share (April 2021), 2.2 years to climb from 2% to 3% (June 2023), and a mere 0.7 years to reach 4% from 3% (February 2024). This exponential growth pattern suggests that 2024 might be the year Linux reaches a 5% market share.
The beauty of Linux lies not just in its technical prowess but in the spirit of its community and the factors contributing to its growth.
Please note that the aforementioned statistics are gathered through website trackers employed by platforms like StatCounter. Given that a significant portion of Linux users prioritize privacy and employ user agent switchers and anti-tracking tools, the actual number of Linux users could be substantially higher.
Adding to the intrigue, a sizable 7.14% of desktop operating system market share falls under the category of "Unknown". It's highly plausible that a significant portion of this "Unknown" category comprises Linux systems operating discreetly.
Also, ChromeOS is derived from the open-source ChromiumOS, which is itself based on the Linux kernel. If we include ChromeOS's market share of 1.41% in the overall Linux market share, the total would be 5.86%. This means that Linux has already surpassed the 5% market share milestone.
While Linux's growth is noteworthy, it's important to view it in the context of the overall desktop operating system market:
Linux's 4.45% puts it firmly in fourth place, ahead of Chrome OS but still well behind the market leaders.
Linux's rise to 4.45% market share represents a significant achievement for the open-source community. While it may not be threatening Windows or macOS for market dominance, its steady growth demonstrates that there's a real appetite for alternative operating systems among desktop users.
“I know you are looking for specific customizations for your key combinations that you have been unsuccessful in finding on Linux.”
Except these key combinations are available on linux, and I have linked him to instructionals several times. And since he is so hot on 3rd party apps here is a GUI mapping app for Linux.
https://www.linuxuprising.com/2020/12/remap-keyboard-and-mouse-buttons-on.html
“However that does not negate the ease and breadth (greater than Windows) of customization overall.”
Absolutely, right down to the very code line customization if you like. There is not one thing you cannot customize in Linux. WITHOUT any 3rd party apps other than an editor. For the average normal user all the boxed default tools and apps are plenty MORE THAN ENOUGH.
daniel1212 and I have been over this many many times. And I respect him very very much and appreciate all his great knowledge of windows he shares with everyone, it is priceless. But he judges from the stance of an extreme super power user and one of that 2% who has such an extreme fetish and addiction for baubles, bangles, and window dressing. He still has trouble putting himself in the shoes of the average user who is never ever going to need or use all those tons and tons of detailed personal customizations.
And it is not fair at all to judge Linux from that extreme of a position and convince folks it is not a good as windows just because HE cannot personally satisfy his own extreme power user fetishes. He just cannot separate his own extreme needs as a super power user from the needs of a normal average user. They just cannot be judged the same at all and I really wish he would take into consideration the needs of the normal average user rather than just his own very very extreme needs as a super power user.
While most just want a nice car to drive, daniel1212 personally wants a rocket ship and thinks everyone else should have a rocket ship too. Linux is a fine and great car to drive. Very few want to build a rocket ship let alone fly one like daniel1212 does.
Want to quickly copy and paste? Remapp CapsLock (via AutoHotKey) to ctrl+c (copy) along with the Esc key to ctrl+v, (paste) and NumLock to Esc (I do not play games), and the middle mouse key to ctrl+x (cut).Except these key combinations are available on linux, and I have linked him to instructionals several times. And since he is so hot on 3rd party apps here is a GUI mapping app for Linux. https://www.linuxuprising.com/2020/12/remap-keyboard-and-mouse-buttons-on.html
I do not recall you ever linking to anything as above that was not complicated and guaranteed to work on any major distro, past sessions, which alone is essential for me with my stiff arthritic typo-fingers and frequent copy and paste operations.
And I was speaking from my frustrations with trying to find this ability, past sessions, from a few years ago, with "try this" suggestions that did not work. I appreciate that ShadowAce tried to help years ago, and suggested looking into setxkbmap.
Over the years past I think i found one suggestion that did work, at least on Fedora on a current session, but key remapping is only one issue. None are as easy as installing AutoHotKey to start with Windows and add 4 lines to a script.
But thanks for https://www.linuxuprising.com/2020/12/remap-keyboard-and-mouse-buttons-on.html. What does it mean when it says, "The application does not support binding commands or scripts to keyboard or mouse buttons" and thus directs to other input remap utilities
There is not one thing you cannot customize in Linux.
Sure, if you spend the time and energy to read enough documentation, search enough forums, ask questions that are not answered with censure for trying to make Linux like the loathed Windows (who would want to do that?!) Why not a utility that enables over 200 tweaks (as w/ Ultimate Windows Tweaker 5, etc.)? Security? Never had an issue with such tested free software as a single user and who seeks to keep an eye on things, by the grace of God.
But he judges from the stance of an extreme super power user and one of that 2% who has such an extreme fetish and addiction for baubles, bangles, and window dressing.
Actually, rather than mere "baubles and bangles," I am mainly referring to increased efficiency, which besides quickly doing what you want to do and getting where you want to go amidst multitudes of open folders and programs, includes compact menus to which one can add items to,
I do not know why both Windows and Linux distros even think spaced out application menus should be default.
vs.
And as said, my posts are partly a reaction to Windows being denigrated by Linux promoters, exalting the latter, with its multitudinous versions, when very few Windows users know of - or care to - customization of Windows. Which includes changing some "improvement" MS autocratically foists upon users, or default behavior, but few actually search for solutions. I have a folder with safe registry scripts as a result.
While most just want a nice car to drive, daniel1212 personally wants a rocket ship and thinks everyone else should have a rocket ship too.
Wrong analogy. daniel1212 personally wants an equipped utility truck, with quick easy access to tools, and thinks everyone can have one too if they are already have the hardware with windows.
Yet as said, if MS continues to go in the restrictive trajectory post 36 indicates, then, if adopting Linux and customizing it may warrant the time and energy to do it, if I have this in my 70's.
Meanwhile, my old, but quite capable PC, is used daily by brother Jeff, running Mint, but just Internet and email.
Thank God for all, and for your help.
It's a GUI for xmodmap, so that should help.
Development stopped in 2000, but it's a very mature product, and it works as designed.
Thanks for the link to that page. Needs studying, and I will save it for the future.
Across the desktop market, you have Linux chipping away at the low end of the market & Apple chipping away the high end of the market.
If Linux developers were capable of producing a single desktop environment, you’d see higher gains for Linux.
1. Linux is an OS. It's not a desktop environment. The DE runs on top of the OS.
2. Linux is known for being able to conform itself to the user's way of doing things--not the other way around. One DE would destroy that, and drive away a lot of users.
I’ve been working on Unix systems since X10 was in vogue. Before Linus made his first release of Linux. I know what Linux is.
The problem is normies want a single DE with applications. Those flexible DEs will stunt Linux growth on the desktop.
There’s an additional problem: The growth of far-left politics into open source projects. We’d both be banned from contributing to many open source projects because we post here on FR.
OK. Why did you want "linux developers" to be working on desktop environment(s), then? They don't touch the DE.
Also, how do you propose they limit it? You can't stop applications from running.
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