LibreOffice backs campaign to help users move from Windows 10 to Linux - and ditch Office, too

[Alfonso Maruccia]

In context: Microsoft will officially end support for the most widely used editions of Windows 10 in just a few months. The operating system remains in use by hundreds of millions of PC owners, many of whom will soon face a critical decision: upgrade to Windows 11, or explore alternatives.

Microsoft plans to end support for Windows 10 security updates on October 14, 2025, even though the operating system remains the most widely used desktop platform. This move will render a massive number of PCs non-compliant with modern security standards. However, supporters of the newly launched End of 10 initiative are offering guidance for users looking to replace Windows with Linux easily and affordably.

LibreOffice has also joined the End of 10 campaign. The popular free and open-source productivity suite recently announced its official support for the effort, encouraging PC users to reconsider their digital work environment. The Document Foundation, the organization behind LibreOffice, aims to offer a viable alternative to upgrading to Windows 11.

Many Windows 10 devices don't meet the hardware requirements for Windows 11, but that's only part of the problem. According to TDF, the new operating system also deepens users' dependence on Microsoft's cloud-centric business ecosystem, pushing aggressive integration with online services and nudging users toward paid subscriptions and restrictive licensing models.

These changes are likely to increase costs for both individuals and organizations, while also reducing user control over how their systems operate. But the end of official Windows 10 support doesn't mean surrendering to Big Tech. Users now have a chance to leave behind Windows and Office, and fully embrace Linux and LibreOffice as powerful, privacy-respecting alternatives.

Adopting a Linux distribution isn't necessarily the radical shift many perceive it to be, The Document Foundation suggests. The open-source Linux kernel serves as the foundation of a computing environment that prioritizes transparency, user freedom, and adherence to open standards. Even Microsoft has acknowledged Linux's growing importance through the introduction of Windows Subsystem for Linux WSL.

Naturally, TDF is especially focused on promoting the benefits of switching from Microsoft Office to LibreOffice. The open-source suite includes all the essential tools of a modern productivity package – word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, drawing, and database management – without the licensing fees or vendor lock-in.

LibreOffice uses open standard document formats and also supports Microsoft's proprietary file types, though compatibility isn't always perfect. Some Office documents may display formatting issues or fail to open correctly. Additionally, LibreOffice has yet to offer full support for mobile platforms.

The Document Foundation outlined three key steps required to migrate from Windows+Office to Linux+LibreOffice. Individual users and organizations should start testing the new platform on a second partition of their PC or in less important company departments, check software compatibility, and properly train personnel.

"Microsoft is forcing users' hands, but it is also opening a door. Now is the time to challenge your assumptions and take back control of how your personal computers work, how long they last, and most importantly, how your content is managed," TDF said.

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LibreOffice backs campaign to help users move from Windows 10 to Linux – and ditch Office, too

 

[yRaz]

I have never paid for office and I even submit my some of my work files as a .docx and it's never given me any trouble. Granted, on my work computer I *HAVE* to use word on windows 11, but we're actively working on alternatives. If it's something that's off the cuff and I don't have to worry about security protocols, I useually submit stuff as a docx after writing it up in Libre Writer. I got 1 phone call from IT about what I was doing and after I explained what I was doing, they left me alone. My personal computer running linux is probably more secure than my Windows 11 work laptop

 

[opckieran]

LibreOffice is great, and can be run on Windows. That’d be a nice article to write (hint hint)

 

[Tantor]

I did this years ago and never looked back. I'm presently running Kubuntu which combines the popular OS Ubuntu with KDE. I have a second drive with Win11 just in case, but it is rarely used.

Windows has morphed into a Mac-like OS. They track everything you do. In Windows I use O&O Shutup, a free windows utility that organizes all user options on one page. It's amazing how many intrusive options windows has.

 

[opckieran]

I did this years ago and never looked back. I'm presently running Kubuntu which combines the popular OS Ubuntu with KDE. I have a second drive with Win11 just in case, but it is rarely used.

Windows has morphed into a Mac-like OS. They track everything you do. In Windows I use O&O Shutup, a free windows utility that organizes all user options on one page. It's amazing how many intrusive options windows has.

Windows has become THE metaphor for tracking, spyware, and intrusion (in the form of ads and changing settings and structures). It is now the benchmark for all other OSs of what NOT to do.

 

[yRaz]

Windows has become THE metaphor for tracking, spyware, and intrusion (in the form of ads and changing settings and structures). It is now the benchmark for all other OSs of what NOT to do.

The company I work for is literally working on switching to Macs because copilot invalidates all of our security contracts. We're a construction company, but its getting absurd. Like, we literally can do business with these people if we continue to use windows 11. We almost went RedHat, but we ended up deciding to go Apple

 

[mgwerner]

LibreOffice is great, and can be run on Windows. That’d be a nice article to write (hint hint)

OpenOffice has worked fine for me in both Windows and Linux for around two decades.

 

[NumberNine]

At work I stick with Office because it's less friction and we are integrated tightly with 365.

I don't use Microsoft software at home, outside of Windows LTSC OS for gaming and even that has been absolutely neutered with cleanup scripts and registry hacks.

 

[candle86]

The company I work for is literally working on switching to Macs because copilot invalidates all of our security contracts. We're a construction company, but its getting absurd. Like, we literally can do business with these people if we continue to use windows 11. We almost went RedHat, but we ended up deciding to go Apple

So thanks for proving you make things up. Apple AI is more intrusive and requires a second piece of software to disable, copilot though can be turned off via group policy, always nice to see someone lying.

 

[dangh]

OpenOffice has worked fine for me in both Windows and Linux for around two decades.

It's russian made, so no, thanks

 

[captaincranky]

Like, we literally CAN do business with these people if we continue to use windows 11.

"Can" = "can't" << Typo?

 

[GABulldog]

I started using LibreWolf browser and LibreOffice about a couple of months ago. Still learning the in's and out's but liking it.

 

[yRaz]

"Can" = "can't" << Typo?

 

[Just Some Dude]

The company I work for is literally working on switching to Macs because copilot invalidates all of our security contracts. We're a construction company, but its getting absurd. Like, we literally can do business with these people if we continue to use windows 11. We almost went RedHat, but we ended up deciding to go Apple

So you either have the worst IT department, or there is another reason and you’re making this up. Any company that has to meet IT security restrictions will be audited; moving to MacOS or Linux, or anything else will have to meet the same standards. Windows has built in controls for businesses to switch off this kind of feature. Business windows is a whole different ball game than consumer windows.

 

[skris88]

Yes, installing Linux is the best way to prevent 240 million perfectly good Windows 10 computers from becoming eWaste and filling our waterways with toxic chemicals from this October.

Furthermore even if Win11 is forced onto it (there are many articles on how to do so), most Win10s PCs will run sluggishly anyway.

And ignoring the Use By date of Windows 10 puts all of us in trouble as these computers will quickly become malware infected, and soon be part of global BotNets that are capable of freezing our hospital or energy systems. It's not a good idea!

But installing a Linux ISO on USB and booting off it is far too complicated for the average user.

I train 17 yr olds in IT basics, and finding ("might be ESC, F1, Del, F10, etc") and pressing the BIOS Boot Key ("not too early, not too late") to even START the installation of Linux is the hardest part of the course!

However, the ZIP file on the Q4OS website allows you to install and dual boot Linux on any Windows OS based computer without having to navigate those hurdles.

The Q4OS zip method. Super easy. Super secure.

So? No more excuses!

Don't let Microsoft ending of critical security updates force you to add your perfectly working computer into an eWaste pile come October when Win10 reaches EoL.

 

[yRaz]

So you either have the worst IT department, or there is another reason and you’re making this up. Any company that has to meet IT security restrictions will be audited; moving to MacOS or Linux, or anything else will have to meet the same standards. Windows has built in controls for businesses to switch off this kind of feature. Business windows is a whole different ball game than consumer windows.

That's the problem, we cant be 100% sure that it is off. We already had a security update fry some of our 2FA keys. Essentially all our work has to be done on a central server we all log into. Everything we do is done through a browser where we have access to a VM at the office.