Choosing the correct operating system can impact your workflow and performance. For most companies, choosing between Windows and Linux is an important choice.
Microsoft’s Windows is renowned for its intuitive interface and support for a variety of commercial software tools and hardware. But why is it so much more popular than Linux ( Why is Windows More Popular Than Linux)?
Ease of Use
Windows is the default OS of most computers which makes it an indispensable tool for both individuals and businesses. It supports everything from regulating computer hardware (webcams, printers, etc), managing space, and executing graphics programs (word processors, music players, games). It also lets users run more than one task at once (like watching a video while typing a document) and executes user instructions by providing transparent error messages.
Due to its popularity, many users will be familiar with Windows or know about the OS from computer-owning family members and friends. This massive market share means a significant amount of exposure to the OS, which has evolved over years of usage. Apart from being simple to use, Windows is also a highly functional platform for businesses with a number of enterprise-class tools to promote productivity and efficiency.
Windows also has the benefit of a massive developer community that produces lots of software and games for both business and pleasure. Additionally, the system has extensive support for different types of hardware and supports an easy installation of new devices. This is further compounded by the fact that Microsoft collaborates closely with hardware vendors to make sure that every new hardware works seamlessly with Windows.
Compatibility
Apart from the widespread compatibility with software and hardware, Windows features an intuitive, familiar user interface. The familiar start menu, taskbar and file manager are easy to learn, and advanced capabilities such as multitasking and multitouch make the operating system a much more intuitive experience. Windows also provides powerful commercial software and games support, which can be a great selling point for businesses with business-oriented productivity or entertainment requirements.
With every update, Microsoft keeps upgrading its OS to make it more effective. Microsoft’s original Windows OS, MS-DOS NT, was a huge improvement over the MS-DOS predecessors, providing enhanced graphics and a better graphical user interface. It was the first Windows release that enabled multitasking in legacy applications and supported a richer display of colors.
Newer versions of Windows OS included faster boot times, more security and a re-tooled interface to support current hardware such as multicore CPUs, solid-state drives and touch screens. Windows 10 – the most recent update – improved performance, adopted the tile-based Metro style of design, and added a virtual desktop for more flexible workspaces.
Security
Windows is now the default operating system of choice for most computers. It comes with an easy-to-use interface and a wide assortment of applications for both business and personal needs. It also runs on a wide range of hardware and software. It has a few disadvantages, though: it’s expensive and highly susceptible to malware infections.
Windows runs on most desktops and laptops (apart from Apple devices, which run macOS). Because it is so popular, there are more resources to support it. Microsoft’s Support page, for instance, contains detailed FAQs that cover a wide range of topics. It also provides an extensive network of forums and tutorials that users can use to sort problems out for themselves.
Most Windows users care about security very much. Despite being more robust over the years, the platform is still susceptible to attacks. Adware can hijack the computer, open pop-up windows, download unwanted programs that consume precious hardware and software resources, or even lock files with a ransom demand.
No operating system is more secure than the other, but Microsoft took security seriously. Windows OS offers a variety of security tools to guard against malware in newer versions of the operating system. For instance, it has a kernel-level memory management protocol that guards against memory corruption by swapping segments of code and data out of memory when they run out of memory.
Performance
Windows is built for stability, speed and familiarity, which is why you find that people tend to opt for it. It is friendly and intuitive to the layman who has not been using a computer before, but still enables a high level of customization and adjustment. This has made it the favourite OS of gamers, too.
Hardware support is another area Windows excels at. It cooperates with hardware vendors to ensure that devices that are new will support it (often without user-generated drivers). With this plug-and-play feature, Windows is able to easily and reliably connect to the peripheral devices of a computer, such as printers, scanners, sound cards, video cards and other equipment.
Also, the new Windows is significantly faster than its predecessors, leveraging the latest hardware technology (multicore processors, solid-state drives, etc.). Its interface is now tile-based and leverages the visual power of current displays, including touchscreens and other details click here manishweb.
The war over which operating system is better Linux or Windows is a war that will rage at water coolers and dinner tables for years to come because the two systems are no match for each other. However, for the majority of computer users, whether to use one or another is a matter of preference and necessity.
