Windows

This is graphical operating system developed by microsoft

Advantages Disadvantages

✔ Beginner-friendly ✘ Overly complex

✔ Large range of software ✘ More frequently targeted by malware

✔ Pre-installed on many devices ✘ Not open source

✔ Comprehensive driver support ✘ Cost of licenses

Linux
This is agroup of free and open-source operating systems.
Advantages Disadvantages

✔ Mostly free ✘ Limited range of software

✔ Mostly open source ✘ Significant barriers to entry for those with little IT knowledge

✔ Very stable

✔ Extensive configuration possibilities

Windows vs. Linux –comparison table

Windows Linux
The latest Windows operating system has Most Linux distributions are free of charge
Cost
many different versions and pricing options. (at least for private users).
The Linux kernel and most of the
Licensing distributions are open source and (often)
Proprietary software.
model available under a GNU General Public
License (GPU).
While it’s true that Ubuntu in particular is
From the outset, Windows was designed to be relatively easy for Windows users to grasp,
User-
as simple to use as possible, even for users with most of the other Linux distributions,
friendliness
with no IT knowledge. there are significant barriers to entry for
newcomers.
Users of Linux distributions have many
Graphical Microsoft set standards with its Windows
freedoms in designing the GUI and can even
user interface GUI.
do away with it altogether.
Windows offers a large range of support
Linux support comes from the extensive user
services, both within the system and online.
community. You can find an answer to
Support There is also comprehensive specialist
almost every problem in the online forums
literature available aimed at users with various
and Wikis.
levels of knowledge.
There are far fewer applications designed
Most software released is compatible with
Software specifically for Linux, although some
Windows.
Windows programs can run on Linux.
Installing Programs are installed by downloading them In Linux, the majority of programs, drivers
programs from websites or from physical storage media. and packages are supplied via fixed
 Windows Linux
repositories.
Uninstalling When programs are uninstalled, some In Linux, programs are always completely
programs components remain on the system. removed.
Windows drivers are available for almost any Hardware support is more limited. Some
Hardware
hardware. drivers are not available immediately.
Although the stability of Windows has
improved in recent years, most Linux Linux and its distributions are known for
Reliability
distributions are still far superior in this being very stable to run.
respect.
Windows systems are regularly threatened by
Security Linux systems are only attacked very rarely.
viruses and other malware.
Windows is known for slowing down the
Speed Linux generally runs very quickly.
longer it is used.
Each user decides which updates they want
Users are sometimes forced to install updates.
Updates to install. These are sometimes experimental
Most updates are stable.
and therefore not recommended for all users.
Since most of the distributions are free of
You can download and install a trial version charge, you can easily try them out. Many of
Trial version
of Windows without paying for a license. them can even run off a USB flash drive, so
you don’t even need to install them.
Windows is targeted at all types of user, from Using Linux requires a minimum level of
occasional to expert. Due to the wide range of specialist knowledge. Furthermore, since
Types of user Windows-compatible software, the operating many computer games are only available in
system is suitable for professional use as well limited versions, Linux distributions tend to
as for entertainment purposes. be more suited to professional IT users.