The Free Alternative to Windows 11 Proposed by The Document Foundation
With Microsoft ending support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, many users and companies are facing a costly transition. Upgrading to Windows 11 often requires new hardware and software licenses. To avoid this expense, The Document Foundation is offering a practical alternative: switching to Linux and replacing Microsoft 365 with LibreOffice.
Modern Software on Older Hardware
Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than its predecessor. While version 23H2 can still be installed with some workarounds, the latest 24H2 requires CPUs that support SSE4.2 and POPCNT instructions making many older PCs incompatible. Nearly a decade after its release, Windows 10 remains widely used, particularly in businesses that haven’t refreshed their hardware fleets.
The Document Foundation argues that upgrading to Windows 11 isn’t just a hardware cost it also increases reliance on Microsoft, raises licensing fees, and reduces user control over personal data. According to their “End of 10” campaign, Windows 11 includes built-in ads and tracking tools that compromise user privacy.
Instead of replacing your PC, you can install a free Linux distribution using a guided selection tool. This provides regular updates, long-term support, and access to a vibrant open-source community.
Combined with Linux, LibreOffice offers a powerful and cost-free productivity suite that supports the open ODF standard and is fully compatible with Microsoft formats such as DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX.
