this post was submitted on 04 Oct 2026
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Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Steam on Linux use in March hit an all-time high of around 5.33% marketshare. Since then it pulled back to around 4% while for September 2026 the Steam Survey results are now in and it's clocking in just above 3%.

The Steam Survey results for September that were published this evening indicate a rather steep decline of 0.85%, down to 3.05%. Meanwhile macOS is at 1.92% and Microsoft Windows at 95%.

As with most months where Steam Survey indicates an abnormally large decline for Linux use, the second stop is checking on the language use... Once again a case of a big spike in Simplified Chinese use. Steam's Survey reports a 7.42% increase in Chinese use, up to 31.39% overall of the Steam population. Usually with those large month-over-month swings where Steam China use shoots up dramatically is a boost to Windows and a detriment to Linux. Some attribute the large increases in Simplified Chinese use to being a reporting/sampling issue.

When diving into the Steam Linux data exclusively, CachyOS has spiked by another 2.65% to now account for 18.12% of the sampled Linux gaming population. That even outperforms SteamOS Holo coming in at 17.37%.

Among Linux gamers on Steam, AMD CPUs still account for the high 60 percentage space thanks to the Steam Deck and Steam Machine using AMD APUs and their open-source/Linux support being popular with enthusiasts.

Those wanting to dive in to all the Steam Survey stats for September can find the fresh data on SteamPowered.com.

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[–] thingsiplay@lemmy.ml 55 points 19 hours ago (3 children)

The Year of Linux is, when China bans Windows.

[–] superglue@lemmy.dbzer0.com 24 points 18 hours ago

I've actually been surprised that they haven't already

[–] DonutsRMeh@lemmy.world 10 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

I am surprised that any nation would adopt a closed source product from abroad when it could build its own, especially given Linux. In a world like this, choosing that path seems genuinely diabolical.

[–] thingsiplay@lemmy.ml 7 points 16 hours ago

Nations where using Windows for years when Linux came out. And it took at least two decades for Linux to be a viable option for governments, because they are dependent on Windows and didn't have much experience in Linux. But the "turns have tabled", finally. The world woke up.

[–] Dezorian@discuss.tchncs.de 12 points 17 hours ago* (last edited 17 hours ago) (1 children)

Happening now actually, according to this

[–] thingsiplay@lemmy.ml 16 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

Not exactly what I meant. They ban for the government, similar to what is happening in Europe. It won't have any effect on gamers, as no one is forced to give up Windows (other than the government bodies themselves).

[–] axh@lemmy.world 3 points 15 hours ago (2 children)

I am pretty sure they banned gaming at work a long time ago.

[–] UninterestingVoid@reddthat.com 3 points 8 hours ago

It's only banned if they find out!

[–] thingsiplay@lemmy.ml 5 points 15 hours ago

I'm talking about banning Windows for any citizen.