Windows vs Linux: strengths and advantages from different facets
Advantages and disadvantages of Windows and Linux Both parties often stand firm in their preferred platform and use every opportunity to prevent their partner’s failure against perceived heretics who have the audacity to claim that their preferred operating system is not perfect.
Difference Between Windows and Linux – Of course, as with ideological conflicts, reality is much less black and white. In fact, Linux and Windows have pros and cons, and both excel in areas where the other falls a little behind
For example, while Linux is (generally) more secure than Windows, anyone who has spent time troubleshooting Linux issues will agree that it’s hard to argue that Windows has an edge in terms of usability.
In the end, Linux and Windows are just tools; Tools that IT professionals use to get their jobs done. With that in mind, it’s important to put aside tribalism and immersion in any particular type of software to see objectively which is best for your particular needs.
We dive deep into the history of both, weighing the pros and cons to help you decide. Read on to find out which operating system 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 was run from MS-DOS, which started Program Manager to run the application.
Two years after the first version of Windows was released, Gates launched the third iteration, the release of Microsoft Windows / 386 in the same year, the next version of the Windows 2.0 operating system. By the time Windows was released in 1995, Windows had evolved into its own operating system that used a DOS-based 16-bit kernel and 32-bit user memory to create a more robust user experience.
In fact, Windows 1995 was the foundation of Windows 10, introducing many of the features we know today, including the Start menu, the taskbar, and Windows Explorer, which has now evolved into File Explorer. Windows ME was introduced in 2000 and was the last Windows-based iteration of DOS.
The platform has evolved rapidly since migrating 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 can find several compatible Linux versions, but only for very common software. The truth is that most Windows programs are not available for Linux.
Many people who have Linux systems install free, open source alternatives instead. There are apps for almost every program you can think of. If this is not the case, programs such as WINE or VM can instead run Windows software under Linux.
There is also a difference in the way Linux software is installed compared to Windows. On Windows, download and run the executable (.exe) file. On Linux, most programs are installed from the software repositories associated with a particular distribution.
Installation on Linux is done by entering the apt-get command on the command line. A package manager handles this by overlaying a graphical user interface over a messy typing mechanism in the right combination of words and commands. It is the predecessor of the app store for mobile devices in many ways.
3. Windows vs. Linux: Security
Security is the cornerstone of the Linux operating system and one of the main reasons it is so popular in the IT community. That reputation is well deserved and is based on a number of factors that contribute to it.
One of the most effective ways to secure a Linux system is with permissions. Linux by default does not grant full administrator or ‘root’ access to user accounts, while Windows does not. In contrast, accounts are usually at a lower level and do not have permissions in the broader system.
4. Windows vs. Linux: performance
Microsoft’s ubiquitous operating system can mean many things, but “light and fast” is not one of them. Windows tend to be bloated and sluggish and can quickly feel out of date if improperly cared for.
Linux is much faster overall. The operating system itself is less sophisticated, and many distros sacrifice every visual bells and whistle to ensure that performance is as good as possible. Choosing one of these builds can be an excellent way to get a crumbling old laptop back to its original speed.
5. Windows vs. Linux: support
Because it is created and maintained by a community of passionate enthusiasts, Linux has a wealth of information in the form of tips, tricks, forums, and tutorials from other users and developers.
It’s a bit fragmented and messy, however, and barely provides a comprehensive, cohesive support structure for many distributions. Instead, anyone who has a problem often has to challenge the wilds of Google to find other users with the answer.
Microsoft is much better at organizing its resources. While there isn’t much raw information available on Linux, it does ensure that the help documents are relatively clear and easily accessible.
There is also a network of similar Windows forums and tutorials in case official help doesn’t help.
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