The contest between Windows and Linux as the best operating system has been ongoing for several years.
As of 2024, Windows, the proprietary OS of Microsoft, remains the most popular for desktops and laptops, with adoption reaching 400 million for its latest version, Windows 11.
Linux was created in 1991 by Linus Torvalds, a University of Helsinki student, who based it on Unix. It has loyal followers, particularly among those who prioritize security and autonomy.
So, how exactly do they differ, and which should you pick for your system?
The answer is simple: The choice depends mostly on your usage patterns.
Developers tend to prefer Linux as it is open-source and customizable. You will find excellent support for programming languages like Python. Editing the system layout is relatively straightforward with Linux. It also offers heightened security across platforms and hardware. These features make Linux a standard choice for servers, supercomputers, and embedded systems. Hackers often use Kali Linux, a secure Linux distribution, for ethical and legal hacking (white hat) and penetration testing. It protects their privacy by concealing the IP address and leaving no traces.
However, many casual users, professionals, and gamers prefer Windows because it supports different software applications, like the Adobe Creative Suite, and has many productivity tools. It launched in 1985 as Windows 1.0, aiming to be a graphical extension of MS-DOS, but has since evolved exponentially.
Choosing Between Linux and Windows: Other Factors to Consider
Besides usage, here are other considerations to choose between the two operating systems.
Cost
Linux is freely available under a GPL (General Public License). You can download its distributions like Ubuntu and Mint without any payment. However, Windows needs an expensive license (commercial software) that can cost between $99 and $199.
Security
Traditionally, Linux has been more secure than Windows. It can resist malware and other threats, creating a safer work environment. It happens because the OS automatically assigns low permissions to users. Moreover, an active community continually tests Linux and provides security patches whenever required.
Windows is more vulnerable, partly due to its wider distribution, and can fall prey to cyber-attacks. However, Microsoft has lately introduced many features to enhance security, like hardware-based isolation and encryption. It is good to use this OS with a reliable third-party antivirus application.
User-friendliness
Windows has an edge here, which has contributed immensely to its popularity. Windows 11 integrates features like Snap Layouts to improve productivity. It also has intuitive touch gestures and supports voice commands for a natural experience in tablet mode.
In contrast, Linux can feel less user-friendly to the average user. New distributions like Mint have improved this aspect by adding a GUI (graphical user interface) to many operations and using pre-installed software.
Micro vs Monolithic Kernel: Difference in Execution Speeds
The kernel, a program in the OS, is responsible for managing the system resources and conducting core tasks like scheduling and management (of memory and files). Linux uses a monolithic kernel, wherein user and kernel services get implemented in one address space. It makes the kernel and the overall operating system bigger. But as the two services share an address space, the execution speed improves.
Windows uses a microkernel. Here, the user and kernel services are in different address spaces. While the kernel size is smaller, the execution speed is slower than in Linux.
Ease of Installation & Updates
Linux can be trickier to install as it depends on multiple user inputs. Windows installation is straightforward, but it takes up more time. It works similarly for updates: Linux offers greater control and quicker updates. But most people who have used Windows will have experienced how frustrating its tedious updates can be.
Differences in Everyday Use
Linux and Windows have some significant differences in everyday use.
File Naming Conventions
Linux uses case sensitivity for file names, allowing you to have multiple files with the same name in a folder (for instance, DEMO and demo). It is not possible in Windows. Another difference is how the directory names get separated: Linux uses a forward slash, while Windows employs a backward one.
User Types
The users in Linux are root, regular, and service-account. All the administrative privileges rest with the root user. However, Windows has four user types: admin, standard, child, and guest. Here, the admin occupies the primary role.
Windows vs Linux: Quick Overview
| Windows | Linux | |
|---|---|---|
| Preferred by/for | Personal, gaming, business, etc., for laptops, desktops, and tablets | Developers, hackers, etc., for servers, supercomputers |
| Customization | Limited, not open-source | High since it is open-source |
| Cost | Expensive | Free |
| Security | Less | Highly secure |
| User-friendliness | High | Average, but it depends on the distribution |
| Efficiency | Lower, based on a microkernel | Higher, based on a monolithic kernel |
| User Types | Four | Three |
| Naming Convention | Not case sensitive | Case sensitive |
| Installation & Updates | Easier but time-consuming | Trickier but quicker |
Linux and Windows hold their own in today’s tech market, enjoying thousands of followers seeking different kinds of use for their computing systems. I recommend carefully surveying your usage requirements, budget, and future needs to decide what works best for you.