Adapted by:
Rubén Andrés
WriterWriter at Xataka. I've been working remotely for more than a decade and I'm a strong advocate of technology as a way to improve our lives. Full-time addict of black, sugar-free coffee.
Alba Mora
WriterAn established tech journalist, I entered the world of consumer tech by chance in 2018. In my writing and translating career, I've also covered a diverse range of topics, including entertainment, travel, science, and the economy.
Being a technology enthusiast in the late 1990s and early 2000s meant witnessing a fierce battle among supporters of Windows, macOS, and a third group of “outsiders” who rejected both and embraced free software with GNU/Linux.
The key figures representing each camp were Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Apple founder Steve Jobs, and Linux creator Linus Torvalds. There has always been a complex relationship between Gates and Jobs, marked by both collaboration and frequent insults exchanged between them.
However, we had to wait until 2025 for Gates and Torvalds to finally meet face-to-face and pose together for a photo.
A Historic Meeting That Brought Together Two Legends
Throughout his career, Gates has championed the right of developers to license their software and charge users for it. In contrast, Torvalds has promoted an open and collaborative model, allowing users to freely adapt tools to meet their needs.
Gates and Microsoft represent one approach to the evolution of computing over the past three decades, while Torvalds and Linux embody another. Despite being central figures in some of the most heated debates in technology during the 1990s and 2000s, they had never met in person until recently.
Mark Russinovich, the creator of the popular Sysinternals software and current CTO of Microsoft Azure, facilitated this landmark meeting. A strong supporter of open source solutions, Russinovich played a key role in Azure’s support for Linux, which helped him establish a positive relationship with Torvalds. Torvalds accepted Russinovich’s invitation to dinner with Gates and Dave Cutler, one of the main developers of Windows NT and a promoter of Azure.
Not much information has emerged regarding what was discussed during the dinner. Notably, Russinovich commemorated the encounter with a selfie and later posted it on his LinkedIn account. The image features two long-time rivals posing together with a relaxed and friendly demeanor for the first time in over thirty years.
Click on the image to view the original post on LinkedIn.
In his post, Russinovich expressed his excitement about organizing this milestone event. “I had the thrill of a lifetime, hosting dinner for Bill Gates, Linus Torvalds and David Cutler. Linus had never met Bill, and Dave had never met Linus. No major kernel decisions were made, but maybe next dinner,” he shared.
How Times Have Changed
The timing of this event is significant. Linux has been gaining market share, largely due to the rise of cloud infrastructure. Additionally, it’s now installed on around 100 million computers (mainly servers), achieving a 4.13% market share. This is an increase from just a 2% share in 2021 and 2022. According to StatCounter data, Windows maintains a substantial lead with a 70.21% market share.
Meanwhile, Microsoft has also undergone significant transformation since the days when former CEO Steve Ballmer referred to Linux as a “cancer.” Under CEO Satya Nadella’s leadership, there have been various signs of cooperation between Windows and Linux. One notable development was the introduction of the Windows Subsystem for Linux, which enables a Linux environment to run on Windows computers.
Russinovich said in his post that “no major kernel decisions were made.” Still, the presence of such influential attendees raises the possibility that discussions took place about further integrating Linux into Microsoft’s Azure platform. Perhaps important decisions will be made at the next dinner.
Images | David Trinks | Mark Russinovich
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