Undoubtedly, Microsoft‘s most prominent product for end-users is its Windows operating system. However, there has been a significant surge in the popularity of open-source systems based on Linux in recent years.
In the past, the idea of Microsoft embracing Linux would have been considered unlikely, as the two platforms were seen as being in direct opposition to each other. However, in recent years, there has been a significant shift in this relationship. Those who have been around for a while may remember a pivotal moment a few years ago when Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella publicly declared the company’s love for Linux. This marked a major change in perspective for Microsoft, its employees, and its projects.
In recent years, Microsoft’s perspective on open source systems based on Linux has undergone a significant transformation, which may have been considered unthinkable a few years ago when both platforms were at odds with each other. However, when Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, publicly expressed his love for Linux, it signified a major shift in perspective for the company and its projects.
While some users were initially skeptical of this change in stance, Microsoft has continued to demonstrate its commitment to Linux through collaborations and support for open source software. In fact, Microsoft’s interest in Linux has grown to the point where it might even consider purchasing it, if that were possible.
In this article, we will present a series of reasons that demonstrate Microsoft’s growing appreciation for Linux. Through its recent actions and initiatives, the company has shown that it has become a true fan and follower of Linux.
Microsoft is closer than ever to Linux, these are the tests
- Microsoft has been embracing the open source philosophy by attending open source conferences and even sponsoring them on occasion. It has a section of its website dedicated to open source software and has published its own version of FreeBSD for Azure. This demonstrates the software giant’s commitment to open source and its willingness to collaborate with the open source community.
- Microsoft’s membership in the Linux Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports the growth of the Linux operating system and open source software, is a clear indication of the company’s commitment to open source. Since joining in 2016 at the platinum level, Microsoft has become one of the highest spending members, even surpassing companies like Google. This shows the significant investment that Microsoft has made in supporting the development and growth of open source software.
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Microsoft is actively developing software for Linux, including adapting some of its popular software like Skype. The company now has many compatible applications and platforms for Linux, including Visual Studio Code and Teams. This demonstrates Microsoft’s commitment to supporting Linux as a viable operating system for users and businesses alike.
- To add more information, Microsoft has been contributing to the Linux kernel since 2009, with its contributions including support for Hyper-V technology, security improvements, and support for Linux virtual machines running on Azure. These contributions have been well received by the Linux community and have helped improve the overall functionality and performance of the Linux kernel.
- To be more precise, Azure Sphere is not a Linux distro but an IoT (Internet of Things) platform developed by Microsoft which consists of a custom Linux-based OS, a cloud-based security service, and specialized microcontrollers. The Linux-based OS is specifically designed to be secure and is optimized for running on small IoT devices.
- Please note that the Microsoft Store offers various Linux distributions for download since 2017, such as Ubuntu, Fedora, and OpenSUSE. This provides users with the ability to run Linux directly on their Windows 10 machine, creating a more seamless experience between the two operating systems.