France is accelerating digital sovereignty by migrating government systems from Microsoft Windows to Linux-based platforms to reduce dependency on non-European technology and increase state control over critical digital infrastructure.

The government plans to replace Windows with open-source Linux across public computers, aiming to limit reliance on American tech giants.

The Interministerial Directorate for Digital Affairs announced the move on April 8, signaling a sweeping upgrade of core software that underpins thousands of state systems.

Lobbying dynamics, including a reported €7 million by Microsoft in 2025, may influence policymakers during the transition.

The initiative is part of a broader push for digital sovereignty to limit foreign tech dependence and strengthen governance over critical national systems.

Experts caution the transition will be costly and slow, requiring extensive training and significant domestic engineering investment instead of licensing fees to Microsoft.

The strategy foregrounds cross-sector collaboration among ministries, public institutions, and private companies to build a shared, open-standards digital infrastructure that enables interoperability.

Ongoing efforts include migrating about 80,000 employees within the national health insurance system to secure tools and transferring the national health data platform to a sovereign, locally controlled system by year-end 2026.

The scope is described as colossal, with an uncertain number of affected devices and no public rollout timeline yet.

The long-term goal is to create a more independent, secure, and resilient digital ecosystem, aligning with a global trend toward greater autonomy in technology and data control.

Advocates say free software will improve data transparency and control by letting users inspect how programs work and how data is handled.

Each ministry will craft its own roadmap under a centralized national strategy to reduce reliance on non-European technologies, covering workplace software, collaboration tools, cybersecurity, AI, databases, and networks.