Russia’s “Microsoft Windows 10 piracy” searches surge as users switch to Linux

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In the context of Microsoft’s decision to stop selling new products to Russia, the increasing popularity of Windows software piracy and similar products in Russia has begun to change the awareness of local Russian users in terms of operating systems and software. Microsoft has previously banned Russian users from accessing the official website and downloading Windows 11 and Windows 10 systems.

According to Kommersant, Russia has seen an 80-250% increase in the number of search requests to install a pirated version of Windows 10 over the past 90 days due to problems with the licensed version of the system.

The report pointed out that in June of this year, the number of requests to download Microsoft Excel for free increased rapidly (650%). In the past week, searches for Windows 10 Media Creation Tool have increased 47 times.

Developers of Russian operating systems say there has also been an increase in demand for their products. According to Dmitry Anisimov, head of information security at ROSA, Rosa Khrom’s downloads in the b2c space have increased by about 20 percent. A representative of Red Soft (which develops Red OS) said that their “boxed” version of the product is already sold at Citylink, although sales are still small: about 300 licenses, more than half of which are sold at Citylink. In the wake of the Russian-Ukrainian war, the company predicted a three-fold increase in retail demand for Russian operating systems. Downloads also started to increase for Basalt SPO (Viola OS) and Astra Group (Astra Linux).

Igor Martyushev, director of electronic services and software solutions development at Marvel Distribution, doubts the possibility of a mass transition of consumers to the Linux-based Russian operating system: In his opinion, Microsoft Windows is more suitable for the average user. In addition, developers are creating more paid applications for Microsoft’s operating system, “with a higher level of quality in developing, testing and preventing bugs and bugs on Windows,” the experts noted.

Pavel Korostelev, head of product promotion for Secure Code, confirmed the growing demand for pirated software in Russia. “Nevertheless, we think in two or three years, the trend will decline. It’s definitely logical because the departure of Microsoft and other vendors has not stopped the economy from functioning. Despite the situation, people still need to somehow do their job,” he said.

Experts point out that using pirated programs mainly poses a security risk. “Secondly, there is a change in awareness – users who have been taught to use genuine licensed software for so long and have become the norm will turn to pirated software again. But it will be very difficult to regain awareness of genuine software in the future.”

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