Advantages and Disadvantages of Windows and Linux – Both parties are often staunchly committed to the platform they prefer, taking any opportunity to hold their partner’s failures to a halt on perceived heretics who have the audacity to claim that their preferred operating system is less than perfect.
Difference between Windows and Linux – Of course, as with ideological conflicts, the reality is much less black and white. In fact, Linux and Windows have advantages and disadvantages, and both excel in areas where the other falls somewhat
For example, although Linux is (in general) more secure than Windows, anyone who has spent time troubleshooting Linux problems will agree that it’s hard to argue that Windows has the advantage in terms of user-friendliness.
In the end, Linux and Windows are just tools; tools used by IT professionals to get their jobs done. With that in mind, it’s important to set aside tribalism and dipped-in-the-wool dedication to one particular type of software to objectively see which one will best suit your particular needs.
We dive deep into the history of both and weigh the pros and cons to help you decide. Keep reading to find out which OS is right for you – Windows or Linux?
1. Windows vs Linux: History
The first version of Windows, 1.0, was released in 1985, two years after Bill Gates founded Microsoft. It ran from MS-DOS, which launched the Program Manager to run the application.
Two years after the first version of Windows was released, Gates launched the next version of the operating system, Windows 2.0, with the third iteration, the release of Microsoft Windows/386 in the same year. By the time Windows 1995 was released, Windows had evolved into its own operating system, using a DOS-based 16-bit kernel and 32-bit user space to create a more robust user experience.
In fact, Windows 1995 was the foundation of what has become Windows 10, introducing many of the features we recognize today, including the Start menu, taskbar and Windows Explorer, which has now evolved into File Explorer. Windows ME, launched in 2000, was the last Windows-based iteration of DOS.
The platform has undergone rapid evolution since migrating away from DOS, with some versions proving to be much more successful than others.
Linux was first distributed under the GNU General Public License in 1992.
2. Windows vs Linux: Software and compatibility
Most applications are designed to be written for Windows. You will find several compatible versions of Linux, but only for very popular software. The truth is, most Windows programs are not available for Linux.
Many people with Linux systems instead install free, open source alternatives. There are apps for almost any program you can think of. If this is not the case, then programs like WINE or VM can run Windows software on Linux instead.
There is also a difference in the way Linux software is installed compared to Windows. In Windows you download and run the executable (.exe) file. On Linux, most programs are installed from the software repositories associated with a particular distro.
Installation on Linux is done by typing the apt-get command from the command line. A package manager handles this by layering a graphical user interface on top of a messy typing mechanism in the right combination of words and commands. It is in many ways the predecessor of the mobile device app store.
3. Windows vs Linux: Security
Security is the cornerstone of the Linux OS, and one of the main reasons for its popularity among the IT community. This reputation is well deserved, and stems from a number of contributing factors.
One of the most effective ways to secure a Linux system is through privileges. Linux does not give full administrator – or ‘root’ – access to user accounts by default, whereas Windows does not. On the other hand, accounts are usually lower level, and do not have any privileges in the wider system.
4. Windows vs Linux: Performance
Microsoft’s ubiquitous OS can be called many things, but ‘light and fast’ is not one of them. Windows have a bad tendency to bloating and sluggishness, and can quickly feel outdated if not cared for properly.
Linux is much faster, overall. The OS itself is less demanding, and many distros sacrifice every visual bell and whistle to ensure that performance is the best it can be. Choosing one of these builds can be an excellent way to get an ailing old laptop back up to speed.
5. Windows vs Linux: Support
Because it’s created and maintained by a community of passionate enthusiasts, Linux has a wealth of information to return to, in the form of tips, tricks, forums, and tutorials from other users and developers.
However, it is somewhat fragmented and messy, with little in the way of a comprehensive, cohesive support structure for many distros. Instead, anyone with a problem often has to challenge the Google wilderness to find other users with the answer.
Microsoft is much better at structuring its resources. While it doesn’t have quite a lot of raw information available about Linux, it does ensure that the help documents it has are relatively clear and easily accessible.
There is also a network of similar Windows forums and tutorials if official help doesn’t help you.
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