Digital Economy

France says goodbye to Windows for more digital independence

The French plan is articulated in several phases and the farewell to Microsoft is only a small part of a complex strategy

by Marco Trabucchi

15 April 2026

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

In a context of increasing global technological competition, control of digital infrastructure has become an element of sovereignty comparable to energy or defence. Being independent in terms of digital tools and infrastructure - from software to data centres - is a strategic priority for several countries. Among them, France has taken the lead, making digital autonomy an explicit objective of its government programme.

On 8 April, during an inter-ministerial seminar organised by the Interministerial Directorate for Digital (DINUM), together with the General Directorate for Enterprise (DGE), the National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI) and the State Purchasing Directorate (DAE), the request was formalised to the ministries to reduce dependency on non-European technologies and suppliers, in particular from the US and China. Among the most important measures is the one concerning computers used in public offices: the gradual exit from Windows in favour of the open source system Linux. Some 2.5 million machines would be affected.

Why is France saying goodbye to Windows?

The motivations are of a strategic, industrial and security nature. The adoption of open source solutions gives the state greater control over code, customisations and updates, with potential advantages in terms of transparency and security. It also reduces the risk of structural dependencies on external suppliers.

Then there is an economic dimension: focusing on open software and European supply chains means stimulating a local ecosystem of companies, support services, development and cybersecurity. In other words, public spending can be transformed into domestic industrial leverage.

Wide strategy

The replacement of the operating system is only one piece of a more extensive plan involving collaborative tools, antivirus, artificial intelligence, databases, virtualisation and network equipment. Each ministry will have to present a detailed feasibility plan within the year. The role of the State Procurement Directorate will be central in this process, which will map existing technological dependencies and evaluate alternatives.

Among the initiatives already announced is the migration of the national health data platform to a 'trusted' solution by the end of 2026. A clear signal: the plan does not only concern office software, but also sensitive infrastructure. There is also talk of strategic alliances between ministries, large public operators and private companies to build real industrial partnerships.

The role of the European Union

The French Enterprise Directorate General is also working on the creation of a possible European digital service, designed as a reliable platform for the EU public administration, built on interoperable standards and European technology chains.

This initiative is part of a broader framework. In recent years, the EU has intensified policies to reduce its technological dependence on the US and China: from the semiconductor regulation (European Chips Act) to the strengthening of cloud and data protection regulations. The aim is to build a credible alternative to the big US hyperscalers and Chinese infrastructures, focusing on European governance and data localisation. The implicit reference is to projects such as Gaia-X, but with a more operational orientation and directly applicable to PA.

The (complicated) challenge on the plate

However, the most complex issue remains: implementation. Migrating millions of workstations involves costs, staff training, adaptation of legacy software and compatibility management. Many administrations use applications developed over time, often integrated in Windows environments. The challenge, therefore, is not only technological but organisational. Central coordination, common guidelines and realistic timeframes are needed. France has chosen to chart a clear direction, turning technological dependence into an industrial and strategic opportunity. It remains to be seen whether this model will become a European standard or remain a predominantly national initiative.