In recent years, Microsoft has warmed up to Linux, which it used to see as a rival. Now, there's more use of Linux than Windows on Microsoft Azure.

"After 43 years, this is the first day that we are announcing — and will be distributing — a custom Linux kernel," said Brad Smith, Microsoft's president.

Windows are cracking. And it’s not just Apple that’s seeing the benefit; some users are jumping on the Linux bandwagon as a way to avoid the Microsoft upgrade tax. Case in point: Linux has broken the ...