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Linux can still gain ground as a desktop alternative, but the evidence does not show that it is about to overtake Windows. The often-quoted promise that Linus Torvalds is “still working on it” came from a 2016 interview—not a new campaign or forecast. In StatCounter’s worldwide desktop-and-console usage estimate for September 2026, Windows accounted for 76.27% and Linux 4.54%.
What did Linus Torvalds mean by “still working on it”?
Torvalds made the remark in a 2016 interview with IEEE Spectrum. Asked why Linux had not become a significant presence on mainstream desktops, he replied: “Hey, still working on it.” The line expressed his long-running ambition; it was not a recent announcement or a timetable for Linux to overtake Windows.
In that interview, Torvalds described desktop computing as unusually personal and complicated, with legacy baggage. He pointed to people’s established applications and workflows, their reluctance to change, and the fact that relatively few users replace the operating system preinstalled on a computer. Those were his explanations in 2016, not findings from a new user study.
In a longer account of the same interview context, CIO quoted Torvalds saying he was happy with the Linux desktop for his own needs, while acknowledging how difficult it was to enter the broader desktop market. He said he hoped Linux would take over that space and joked that after 25 years he could work on it for another 25. The remarks are historical, not a present-day prediction.
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Is Linux gaining on Windows in desktop usage?
StatCounter’s worldwide desktop-and-console estimate for September 2026 puts Windows far ahead of Linux:
| Platform | Share in StatCounter’s worldwide desktop-and-console category |
|---|---|
| Windows | 76.27% |
| Linux | 4.54% |
| Chrome OS | 2.31% |
These figures are StatCounter Global Stats estimates based on web-usage measurement. They are not a count of every installed computer, and they do not predict future adoption. Chrome OS appears as a separate category in the figures; it should not be silently added to Linux.
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The snapshot establishes that Linux is a minority platform in this measure while Windows remains dominant. It does not, by itself, establish whether Linux is gaining over time: that requires comparing consistent measurements across dates. Nor does it establish that Linux will eventually pass Windows. The available sources provide no named, authoritative forecast that it will.
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Why do most PC users stay on Windows?
Torvalds’ 2016 explanation points to more than the operating system itself. Switching means changing a familiar setup, and the value of doing so has to outweigh the friction of moving applications, files, habits, and workflows. Many users also keep the system that came with their PC rather than installing another one.
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- Live Boot: Simply plug the USB drive into your computer, select the USB drive as your boot device, and experience Linux Mint without installation. This allows you to test the OS and its features before making any changes to your system.
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- Pre-installed software like LibreOffice for office tasks, a capable web browser (Firefox), email client (Thunderbird), and multimedia tools. This minimizes the need for additional downloads, saving you time and effort.
- Resource Efficiency: Designed to run efficiently on a variety of hardware configurations. It demands fewer system resources compared to some other operating systems, making it an excellent choice for older computers or devices with limited hardware specifications.
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For an individual deciding whether Linux fits, the useful questions are practical:
- Applications and workflow: Can you use the software and services your work or routine depends on?
- Hardware and peripherals: Do your computer and connected devices work with the Linux distribution you plan to use?
- Installation and support: Are you comfortable setting up a different operating system and finding help if something needs troubleshooting?
- Games: Do the specific games you play work well on your intended Linux setup?
- Migration effort: Is the benefit of changing worth the time and adjustment involved?
These are decision criteria, not claims that every Linux installation has the same compatibility or support experience. The answer depends on the user’s hardware, software, and needs.
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Does Chrome OS count as Linux in the desktop comparison?
Not in the StatCounter figures cited above: Chrome OS is listed separately. Torvalds said in the 2016 IEEE Spectrum interview that Chromebooks were “doing reasonably well,” while describing them as a more limited desktop environment than a traditional Linux workstation. He also raised the possibility that specialized, simpler devices—including phones, tablets, and Chromebooks—could take over some tasks associated with general-purpose desktops.
That distinction matters when discussing a “Linux desktop win.” A Linux-based or Linux-related platform serving particular computing needs is not the same as Linux distributions replacing Windows on general-purpose PCs, and the cited market estimate does not combine Chrome OS with Linux.
What can Steam’s survey tell us?
Valve’s Steam Hardware & Software Survey offers a view of Steam users and their gaming hardware, not of all desktop users. It can help frame questions about Linux in PC gaming, but the available survey information does not establish a sufficiently clear Linux share to quote here. A gaming-platform sample should not be treated as a measure of the whole desktop market.
So, can Linux still beat Windows?
It is possible for Linux to gain desktop users, and Torvalds’ 2016 remark captures his willingness to keep working toward that goal. But the cited evidence supports a more limited conclusion: Linux is a real alternative, Windows remains far ahead in StatCounter’s September 2026 desktop-and-console estimate, and no cited forecast establishes that Linux will overtake it. Whether Linux is the better choice for one person depends on that person’s software, hardware, games, and tolerance for migration work.
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