The Dutch Linux Repair Cafés are already very popular. Meetings often attract dozens of visitors who want help switching to open source software. Repair Café International has been working hard behind the scenes over the past few months. The starter pack for your own Linux Repair Café will also be available in other languages from the end of November.

Why a Linux Repair Café?

Microsoft announced that it will stop supporting Windows 10, the operating system that runs on most computers worldwide, on 14 October 2025. There is now good news: Microsoft is extending this support by one year. After that date, millions of older computers are still at risk of becoming e-waste. We can use this year to familiarise more people with Linux open source software and help them make the switch!

Start your own Linux Repair Café

Repair Café International has developed a special starter kit for this purpose, which will soon be available in English, German, French and Spanish. It includes a manual that guides you step by step through the entire process of organising your own Linux Repair Café. From recruiting suitable volunteers, through technical preparation, to your first meeting. A comprehensive script explains what you need to do at each stage to make your Linux Repair Café a success.

In addition, the starter pack contains all kinds of additional materials, such as a ready-made press release for local media, fillable flyers that you can distribute in your neighbourhood, instructions for volunteers and a slideshow about Linux that you can play for visitors during your meeting. We also offer a special installation version of Linux Mint, which makes installation quick and easy.

Join in and request the starter pack for organising your Linux Repair Café from the end of November!

Het bericht Starter kit for your own Linux Repair Café coming soon verscheen eerst op Repaircafe.

Overcoming cold feet

On October 14, Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 10. Many older computers and laptops cannot handle the upgrade to Windows 11. That means around 240 million PCs and laptops are at risk of being discarded! Repair Café International is here to help by making the switch to the alternative operating system Linux easier. Linux is free, community-owned, and continuously developed. But many people hesitate to take the plunge. That’s why we want to set up special Linux Repair Cafés. Will you join us?

How to start a Linux Repair Café

You can host a special Linux session within an existing Repair Café—or you can set up a stand-alone initiative. Our new starter kit contains everything you need to prepare for a Linux Repair Café:

• Technical instructions for volunteers on installing Linux Mint (including a special installation version)
• A ready-made presentation about Linux to show visitors
• A step-by-step guide to organizing your Linux Repair Café

First reactions are enthusiastic

The foundation has already tested three Linux Repair Cafés in Amsterdam. Visitors learned everything they needed to know about Linux, tried it out on demo computers and could get Linux installed for free on their own laptops.

Our colleague Rieneke Post reports: “After Martine Postma talked about this on national radio, the trial sessions were packed. Personal help turns out to be the key to overcoming people’s hesitation. That’s why we now want to roll out these Linux Repair Cafés more widely. And we’ll need lots of volunteers to make that happen! Luckily, Linux has plenty of fans eager to help.”

Get started with your Linux Repair Café

Existing Repair Cafés can download our starter kit for free. New initiatives are asked for a voluntary donation. The kit also includes a user-friendly manual for beginners who have just installed Linux on their computer. That way, the switch becomes even easier.

Het bericht New: Starter Kit for Your Own Linux Repair Café verscheen eerst op Repaircafe.