Switzerland's Federal Government Is Replacing Microsoft on 3,000 Computers
Switzerland's Federal Government Is Replacing Microsoft on 3k Computers
Switzerland's federal government has launched a pilot program to replace Microsoft 365 with open-source alternatives on 3,000 workstations, about 7% of the federal workforce, with the goal of completing the migration by end of 2027. This follows a successful proof-of-concept with 172 employees who tested the openDesk suite. The move is driven by concerns over foreign access to data, service continuity, and rising costs. The Swiss Army's Cyber Command is already moving faster, planning to replace Microsoft 365 entirely by October 2026. This is part of a broader digital sovereignty strategy, backed by the 2024 EMBAG law requiring open-source software for government agencies.
Digital sovereignty is defined as 'the federal government being able to fulfil its essential mission without depending on an external supplier or country.'
- Atariman
As a Swiss, I'm happy they finally try it. It's only around 5% of all government machines, but at least it's a start and I wish them all the best!
We have to get independent asap from the US, they never were our (or any other countries) "friends" and most likely never will be.
OSS ftw!
- rich_sasha
The real risk to MS here is when people take the plunge and see how much nicer a (well supported, well put together) Linux distro is, compared to Windows etc! Will they want to buy their next laptop at home with MSFT installed?
Plus, if countries moving off Microsoft put a fraction of the savings into libre office product development, it might get an even more lopsided comparison!
- mikaTheThird
Not sure about goverment requirements, but many apps I use nowadays are on the web, Figma, Canva, google docs, outlook and so on. There is not much need for a dedicated OS for most users.
- theplumber
A Mac studio ultra with linux is the best computer I ever had. The only small thing that I miss is the copy/paste from iphone to the computer sync.
It seems to me really that there is no going back to macOS any time soon. I don’t think I would still be able to “compute” on Windows.
- hn_submit
Why don't they replace Windows with Linux Mint? That would be much more groundbreaking than simply replacing online Office and Outlook.
If you use Linux Mint you can replace Office with LibreOffice (offline) and Outlook with one of the many email clients available for Linux.
- Incipient
Having a core system be entirely dependent on a foreign entity seems silly when there is a very viable alternative (which also saves a lot on licensing). I say VIABLE not equivalent. Linux is a lot rougher, and the change management process will be brutal. Retooling an entire department/etc to use whatever Linux has instead of entra/intune for device management will also be complex/incomplete/a learning curve.
TLDR: any govt would be crazy not to at least trial it, and see if it works.
- dash2
Guys, this is so pathetic. Twenty-three years after Munich and there are still comments waiting for the year of the Linux desktop. From a deployment about big enough for a small university. Stop! You’re embarrassing yourselves!
- hacker_homie
When it finally is the year of the linux desktop,
what are we going to do about malware on linux?