2021’s Top 12 Linux Milestones That Shaped the Open‑Source World

2021 is ending, and here are the most important events in the Linux world that have significantly impacted Linux users.

1. Richard Stallman Returns

In 2019, Richard Stallman resigned from the Free Software Foundation after controversial remarks. In March 2021, at the LibrePlanet event, he announced his unexpected return as a board member (not as chairman), sparking debate among organizations and developers, with some calling for the removal of the entire FSF board.

2. Arch Linux Introduces an Installer

Installing Arch Linux has traditionally required command‑line work and extensive documentation. The new archinstall script, included in recent Arch ISO images, provides a guided installation experience that can be launched by typing archinstall in the TTY.

3. Microsoft Edge Arrives on Linux

After more than a year of testing, the stable Chromium‑based Edge browser for Linux was finally released in 2021, giving Linux users another modern web‑browser option that syncs with Windows installations.

4. Rise of CentOS Alternatives

Red Hat’s shift from stable CentOS to the rolling‑release CentOS Stream shocked the community, leading to the emergence of Rocky Linux and Alma Linux as the most popular replacements, both backed by original CentOS creators and CloudLinux, respectively.

5. Steam Deck Launch

Valve released the Steam Deck handheld gaming device, which runs a custom SteamOS built on Arch Linux, offering hope for Linux desktop gaming and promising that games certified for the Deck will run well on regular Linux desktops.

6. Anti‑Cheat Engine Officially Supports Linux

Epic Games added full Linux support to its Easy‑Anti‑Cheat service, improving compatibility with SteamPlay/Proton and Wine, and making popular multiplayer titles like Fortnite and Battlefield more accessible to Linux players.

7. GNOME 40 Release

GNOME 40 is a radical update that jumps version numbers from 3.38 to 40, introducing a horizontal layout with three‑finger swiping, dramatically changing the desktop’s UI and UX.

8. Kernel 5.15 Adds Native NTFS Support

Linux kernel 5.15 includes a proper NTFS driver, replacing the slower FUSE‑based NTFS‑3G solution and significantly improving read/write performance on shared NTFS partitions.

9. Linux Turns 30

The Linux kernel, started by Linus Torvalds in September 1991 as a hobby project, celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2021, evolving from a student’s thesis into a cornerstone of modern IT.

10. Linus Tech Tips’ 30‑Day Linux Experiment

YouTuber Linus Sebastian embarked on a 30‑day Linux challenge, documenting the difficulties of daily Linux use, including a failed Steam installation that broke his Pop!_OS system, providing high‑visibility exposure for desktop Linux.

11. Installing Linux on Apple M1 Macs

The Asahi Linux project made significant progress in 2021, enabling Linux to run on Apple’s ARM‑based M1 hardware, with benefits that will eventually extend to other distributions.

12. Windows 11 Release and Its Linux Implications

The launch of Windows 11 may push many users whose hardware cannot upgrade past Windows 10 toward Linux, echoing the migration patterns seen after Windows XP’s end‑of‑life.