Linux desktop gaming is gaining traction on the Steam platform, reversing a recent downward trend. This shift matters because it signals improved compatibility and user adoption for non-Windows gaming setups. The operating system has reclaimed a significant portion of its previous market presence.
Linux users gain 0.32% while Windows loses 0.43% in latest data
Valve released the latest Steam Hardware Survey data for July 2024. The report highlights a clear movement in platform distribution among active users. Windows users saw a decline in their share, while Linux users experienced notable growth.
Linux desktop market share returned to 4% in July 2024. This represents a 0.32% increase from the previous month. In contrast, Windows lost 0.43% of its share during the same period. macOS also saw a small gain of 0.11%.
SteamOS usage decreased slightly, yet the hardware remains the leading Linux gaming device. Other distributions like Fedora, CachyOS, Bazzite, Ubuntu, and Linux Mint all saw growth. This suggests users are choosing custom Linux environments over the official SteamOS.
We looked at the last Steam update earlier while tracking these platform shifts. The current data reflects broader stability trends in the ecosystem. Linux adoption continues to expand despite the minor dip in SteamOS-specific usage.
Source: SteamDeckHQ
