According to The Verge, Linux usage on the Steam platform has hit a new all-time high for the second consecutive month. The November Steam Hardware & Software Survey shows Linux now accounts for 3.2% of all Steam users, up from just over 3% in October. Valve’s own SteamOS Holo is the most popular single distro, used by 26.4% of those Linux gamers. However, the gaming-focused distribution Bazzite, along with Debian and the Flatpak version of Steam, saw some of the biggest user boosts this month. The two-month surge might be linked to Windows 10 reaching its end-of-life date on October 14th. While most users likely upgraded to Windows 11, it appears a small but noticeable chunk decided to jump ship to Linux instead.
Why this is a big deal
Look, 3.2% still sounds tiny next to Windows‘ dominant 94.79%. But here’s the thing: in the world of desktop operating systems, especially for gaming, this is a huge shift. For years, Linux was a non-starter for serious gamers because nothing worked. Now, it’s not just a viable alternative for a growing number of people—it’s actually growing its share. That’s almost unheard of. This isn’t just a blip; it’s a trend, and it’s being driven by Valve’s own hardware and software investments. Basically, they’ve been building a ladder for years, and now people are finally starting to climb it.
steam-deck-effect-is-real”>The Steam Deck effect is real
So how did we get here? You can’t talk about this without talking about the Steam Deck. Valve’s handheld PC runs SteamOS, a Linux distro. To make it work, they poured massive resources into Proton, their compatibility layer that lets Windows games run on Linux. The success of the Deck proved that a Linux-based gaming ecosystem could work. It forced game developers and anti-cheat makers to at least *consider* Linux support. And for PC gamers watching from the sidelines, it demystified the whole experience. The Deck is the ultimate “it just works” proof of concept for Linux gaming. Now, projects like Bazzite are trying to bring that streamlined, console-like experience to your desktop.
The Windows 10 factor
Now, about that Windows 10 end-of-life. The timing is pretty suspicious, right? October 14th passes, and we see jumps in October and November. I think it’s definitely a factor. For a certain type of user—someone privacy-conscious, annoyed by forced updates, or just using older hardware that doesn’t officially support Windows 11—the end of Windows 10 presented a real crossroads. Upgrade to an OS you might not want on hardware you might need to buy, or try something completely different? For a few percent of people, “different” meant Linux. It’s not a mass exodus, but it’s a meaningful signal. It shows that when pushed, a non-zero number of gamers will choose the open-source path.
Challenges and what’s next
But let’s not get carried away. The biggest wall Linux gaming still hits is anti-cheat software. Plenty of popular multiplayer titles are still a no-go, and that’s a deal-breaker for a huge segment of the market. The growth is also coming from a very small base, so percentage jumps look more dramatic than they are. Still, the momentum is undeniable. Valve is clearly committed, the tooling gets better every month, and more gamers are willing to give it a shot. Will it ever hit 10%? Who knows. But the fact that we’re even asking that question now shows how much the landscape has changed. The Steam survey is worth watching closely. If this trend holds through the first quarter of next year, we’re looking at a genuine shift in the PC gaming bedrock.
