Recently I’ve stumbled across an article about Lyon, third largest city in France, and the challenge to migrate to Linux. Their goal is to reduce their dependency on Microsoft and take control of their data in order to reinforce their digital sovereignty
The city of Lyon has just announced a major strategic decision. The municipality will gradually abandon Microsoft software, in favor of Linux as the operating system and OnlyOffice for the office suite.
Lyon is freeing itself from Microsoft
The objective is clear – to reduce dependence on American digital giants (and in particular Microsoft), while regaining control over the tools and data used within the administration.
The project is ambitious:
- More than 4,000 workstations are concerned.
- The transition will take place gradually until 2026.
The change affects both the operating system, which will move to Linux, and the office suite, with the adoption of OnlyOffice to replace Microsoft Office.
It is also noted that PostgreSQL will be used more, for database management (probably a migration from SQL Server since Microsoft is targeted in the process).
A pilot program will be launched this year in several departments to kick-start the movement, before rolling it out to the entire municipal administration. This is the way to do it. Start small group, then grow progressively.
OnlyOffice vs LibreOffice: Why Lyon Chose OnlyOffice
While many local authorities opt for LibreOffice, Lyon has chosen OnlyOffice, an open-source office suite compatible with Microsoft Office formats (docx, xlsx, pptx, etc.), which facilitates the transition. OnlyOffice provides better support for these formats. This avoids a massive conversion of office documents, with the risk of losing formatting information.
It also offers an experience closer to the Office 365 interface, with its ribbon menus, which can limit “resistance” to change among users.
OnlyOffice is also easily integrated with cloud services like Nextcloud, which allows you to build a 100% free and sovereign digital ecosystem. This decision by Lyon is part of a broader movement on a European scale.
Best Linux Distributions for Windows Users
First, I’d like to note that no matter which Linux distro you pick, many of them are fully customizable and able to be personalized. OnlyOffice is not pre-installed in mainstream Linux distributions like Linux Mint, Ubuntu, or antiX. However, it can be easily installed on these distributions via repositories, Flatpak, Snap, or direct downloads from OnlyOffice’s website. Lyon’s migration involved a customized Linux setup with OnlyOffice, but no standard distribution ships with it out of the box
Here are the top Linux distributions suited for Windows users migrating to for ease of use, Windows-like interfaces, and performance:
Linux Mint (Cinnamon Desktop): Why it’s great
Linux Mint is one of the most beginner-friendly distributions, with a Cinnamon desktop environment that closely resembles Windows 10’s layout (taskbar, start menu, and system tray). It’s based on Ubuntu LTS, ensuring stability, a vast software ecosystem, and excellent hardware compatibility. It’s lightweight enough for older machines while offering a polished, modern experience.
- System Requirements: CPU: 1GHz or better
- RAM: 2GB (1GB minimum, but 2GB recommended for smooth performance)
- Storage: 20GB (10GB minimum)
- Pros: Familiar Windows-like interface with Cinnamon desktop.
Excellent out-of-the-box multimedia support and pre-installed apps (e.g., Firefox, LibreOffice).
- Windows-like Interface: Cinnamon desktop mimics Windows 10’s taskbar and start menu, easing the transition for users.
- Lightweight and Stable: Based on Ubuntu LTS, Mint runs smoothly on low-power hardware and offers long-term support until 2029.
- Easy OnlyOffice Setup: Mint’s software manager or terminal commands (flatpak install onlyoffice) make installation straightforward, with NextCloud integration for collaboration, as used by Lyon.
- Broad Hardware Support: Ubuntu-based, ensuring compatibility with most older PCs.
- Large Community: Extensive forums and tutorials (e.g., Linux Mint Community, 2025) help with OnlyOffice setup and migration
- Best for: General users seeking a seamless transition from Windows with minimal learning curve.
AnduinOS: Windows 11-Like User Interface
We have recently published an article on StarWind blog about this “Windows Like” distro where the UI looks like Windows 11. A very user-oriented OS.
Xubuntu (XFCE): Lightweight and Efficient
- OnlyOffice Integration: OnlyOffice is available via Snap (sudo snap install onlyoffice-desktopeditors) or .deb packages, with excellent Ubuntu support. Lyon’s Gendarmerie uses a customized Ubuntu (GendBuntu) with OnlyOffice, indicating strong compatibility.
- System Requirements:CPU: 1GHz
- RAM: 512MB (2GB recommended)
- Storage: 8GB
- Advantages: Lightweight Performance: XFCE desktop is faster than Cinnamon, ideal for very low-power machines.
- Enterprise Adoption: Ubuntu’s use in Lyon’s migration highlight’s reliability for large-scale deployments with OnlyOffice.
- Seamless OnlyOffice Installation: Snap integration simplifies setup, and OnlyOffice’s collaboration features work well with Ubuntu’s ecosystem.
- OnlyOffice installation on Linux Mint/Xubuntu: Use sudo snap install onlyoffice-desktopeditors or Flatpak (flatpak install onlyoffice). Otherwise, also to note, Mint’s software manager offers a GUI option and the same for Xubuntu.
- Long-Term Support: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is supported until 2029, ensuring updates and security.
- Vast Ecosystem: Extensive hardware compatibility and community support.
- Best for: Organizations or users needing a lightweight, enterprise-grade distro with OnlyOffice.
Final Words
Moving away from Microsoft to open-source software like Linux (e.g., AnduinOS) and OnlyOffice offers some good benefits, especially for users on low-power machines incompatible with Windows 11.
Users that are transitioning from Windows 10 can use Linux distro fitting their needs. Open-source solutions are cost-free, eliminating licensing fees and making them accessible for individuals and organizations like Lyon city in France.
They promote digital sovereignty, as seen in Lyon’s migration, by reducing reliance on proprietary vendors and enabling local control over software and data.
Lightweight performance ensures older hardware runs efficiently, extending device lifespans and reducing e-waste – a stark contrast to Windows 11’s demanding requirements. Open-source software provides flexibility through customization, robust community support, and compatibility with Microsoft formats, as with OnlyOffice’s seamless .docx handling.
Additionally, the transparency of open-source code enhances security and privacy, aligning with global trends toward sustainable, user-empowered technology. Choosing open-source is a practical, ethical, and future-proof path for a liberated digital experience.
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