The French government is phasing out Microsoft Windows across its entire administrative network, targeting the replacement of 2.5 million workstations with Linux-based alternatives.
France's Interministerial Directorate for Digital Affairs (DINUM) announced the mandate on April 8, 2026. The order requires every ministry to identify dependencies on non-European technology and submit a formal migration plan to Linux and sovereign tools by the fall of 2026.
Digital sovereignty
The move aims to reduce France's reliance on American-made software. David Amiel, France's minister of public action and accounts, framed the transition as a necessary step for national autonomy.
"The State can no longer simply acknowledge its dependence; it must break free," Amiel said in a statement. He added that the nation must become less reliant on American tools to regain control of its digital destiny.
Industry sources suggest the new government desktop will likely utilize GendBuntu, a Linux distribution currently used by French police forces. This new stack is expected to incorporate a suite of domestically developed, open-source desktop applications.
This shift follows a broader trend within the European Union, where several governments are moving away from US-based tech giants in favor of open-source software. The transition seeks to address growing-level concerns regarding security, privacy, and data control.
