French administration abandons Windows for Linux to strengthen digital sovereignty

The French government is set to phase out Windows in favour of Linux. Although the transition will take time, it is considered necessary to protect digital sovereignty.

A few months ago, tensions over Greenland exposed the weaknesses in Europe's digital model. Excessively reliant on American technology, the continent has begun considering secure, sovereign alternatives. France's public administration taking Windows out of service marks another step in that direction.

At the Prime Minister's instigation, the Interministerial Digital Directorate (DINUM) has announced a gradual withdrawal from Microsoft's operating system. Linux will instead be installed on government computers. The move is expected to strengthen data security and support the reliable running of IT infrastructure.

France's public administration replaces Windows with Linux

The approach has already been trialled by several public bodies, including the National Gendarmerie since 2007, as well as cities such as Grenoble and Lyon. The aim is unambiguous: “reduce the State's extra-European digital dependencies”. David Amiel, Minister for Public Action and Public Accounts, said:

“The State can no longer simply acknowledge its dependency; it must break free from it. We must wean ourselves off American tools and regain control of our digital destiny. We can no longer accept that our data, infrastructure and strategic decisions depend on solutions whose rules, prices, developments and risks we do not control.”

Sovereign digital solutions for the French State

Moving away from Windows is only one part of the process launched by DINUM. The initiative covers more than an operating system: it also concerns the full range of tools used by civil servants every day. For instance, American software for communication and file transfers has been replaced with French alternatives including Tchap, Visio and France Transfert for the 80,000 staff of the National Health Insurance Fund. In addition, that body's data will be moved to trusted platforms by the end of the year.

A long-term plan to reduce extra-European dependencies

This is a substantial undertaking that remains far from complete:

“DINUM will coordinate an interministerial plan to reduce extra-European dependencies. Every ministry, including operators, will be required to formalise its own plan by the autumn, covering the following areas: workstations, collaborative tools, anti-virus software, artificial intelligence, databases, virtualisation and network equipment.”

For many years, the shortage of digital sovereignty was not regarded as a pressing issue in Europe. However, at the beginning of 2025, tensions between the EU and the United States over Greenland made the situation plain: Europe depends on American tools. Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to cut off access to those tools. Leaving Windows behind is therefore a major step for the French public administration. While the Linux migration will be a long-term process, it can only deliver greater independence.