Difference Between Linux and Windows
Linux vs. Windows
Here in this tutorial, we are going to discuss several features of Linux and Windows. These features or characteristics help us to come to a conclusion about which operating system is more valuable and effective. Of course, this also depends on the use case of the operating system.
What is the main difference between Linux and Windows?
| Features | Windows | Linux |
| Year of Release | The window operating system was first released in 1985, and the day was the 20th of November. This OS was released under Microsoft.Microsoft window is not a single operating system. It is a family of a group of operating systems, and it is the most used OS on the globe. | Linux was initially developed by a college student in the year 1991.Linux Torvalds was the name of that Finnish student.IT was his college project. |
| License | Microsoft Windows is a commercial operating system. To use this operating system, you have to purchase this OS.You can acquire the MS Windows operating system by verifying the activation key into the settings. | Linux Torvalds initially tried to release the Linux kernel under his own creation.But, He was not able to do that because of the copyright claim on the GCC compiler.He did not design the compiler he was using to compile the Linux Kernel code.Finally, Linux was released under General Public License. |
| Written Language | Microsoft Windows has been coded in various programming languages like JavaScript, Visual Basic, and C programming.Most of the Windows Kernel is developed in C Programming Language.Microsoft Windows has held about ninety percent of the Market share for decades by using this C-programmed Windows Kernel. | Linux Torvalds was Developing this Linux Kernel for his i386 machine.He entirely developed the Linux Kernel in C Programming Language.Over the Years by various Collaborators, the ratio of programming languages has been changed to 95.7% C, and the remaining is C++ and the Assembly Language. |
| Ease of Use | Windows has been on the top in case of ease of use.Microsoft Windows has been the most user-friendly operating system on the personal computer.It has a better graphical user interface which tends to reduce the complexity of the task performed. | Linux was initially released with command-line interface support only.For general purposes, it is not easy for ordinary people.But, over the year, Linux has also worked in graphical user interface and tried providing a minimal and fast GUI. |
| Support | As Microsoft Windows is a paid version, thousands of developers are working on the bugs and updates.Microsoft has service centers and supports worldwide to provide the best service possible to the consumers.Microsoft operates from about 180 countries worldwide. | Linux also has communities of developers who are working day and night to improve Linux.Some of the Linux distributions also have their paid developers to provide updates like the RedHat Enterprise Linux.Frequent Updates are ubiquitous in Linux. |
| Variety | Microsoft, over the years, has produced several versions of the Windows operating system.Microsoft has released about a total of nine operating systems from 1985 till today.Some of the names are Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 8, Windows7, and Windows 10. | Linux has been the most volatile operating system in terms of distribution.Linux has produced over six hundred operating systems that people are currently using.Some distributions are Fedora, RHEL, Ubuntu, CentOS, Arch, Kali Linux, Parrot, Garuda, and many more. |
| Speed | Windows is very slow on Old hardware, whereas Linux can make that old hardware run like new ones.Initial versions of Windows were fast, but gradually, the speed has been decreased. | Linux is much faster than Windows.Linux Kernel is running about all the top five hundred Supercomputers of the world, and this shows the speed of Linux. |
| Privacy | Windows privacy has been increased over the years.But the data collected by Microsoft has been gone to the next level, which is a threat to individual privacy.Collected data is used for advertisement purposes and uses that data to produce a new product or service. | Linux operating systems have the best privacy policies.As most of the Linux operating systems are run by community supports and are non-profit, they are more private than windows. |
| Security | Windows has the most malware and viruses in comparison to any other operating system.Windows has about twenty-four Million adware on it. | It provides various functional supports like encryption, authorization, and the authentication of the data.Linux has only about 100 viruses. |
| Run Level | Windows boots on the run level number 3.Run level are the numbers given to processes after the init(This is the first process of operating system runs when booted) | On the other hand, Linux can stop at any level, but windows reboot the system at level 3.You could check your current run level by using “who –r.” |
| Command Line Usage | Windows, over the years, have worked on the command line of the operating system. It provides “cmd command” and “PowerShell” CLI.PowerShell has more potential than cmd, and it could perform all the tasks of cmd and many more. | Linux is wholly dedicated to the command line. Linux is extensively used to perform nearly all the tasks that could be performed over an operating system.It has several command-line shells like bash, ksh, sh, and many more, which have become more powerful and easy to control. |
| Reliability | Windows has lost some of its features for making it more user-friendly and increase the ease of use.Windows is working on every part of the component, but it is still not as reliable as Linux operating systems.Windows 10 is more secure and reliable than ever. | Linux has been on the top in reliability issues. It is robust and reliable.You might have heard of Windows crashed, but it is rare in the case of Linux OS.To maintain reliability, Linux focuses on Process ManagementUptimeSystem Security |
| System Updates | Windows system update does not provide you complete control. They have to be installed under the given period.Sometimes the update errors are a headache to the user.System update failure is common in Windows. | Linux has convenient commands for system updates.It is faster than the windows updates.These updates are not forcefully implemented.The community makes more frequent updates. |
| Gaming | Windows is great at gaming support.It has drivers for almost all the games, and it is straightforward to set up a gaming environment on Windows OS compared to Linux.Some of the most popular windows games areMinecraftAmong UsForza HorizonRoblox | Linux is way behind Windows in the case of gaming.To play most of the games, you have to use simulators, which are complex to setup.Some of the Linux games areDota 2Super tux kartUFO: Alien Invasion |
| Open Source | Windows operating system is paid and not open source.On the other hand, Microsoft also supports many open source activities.It has a program that encourages contribution and allows users to use open-source with ease. | Linux is entirely based on open-source programs.Several developers and communities come together to contribute to the development and update of the operating system. |
Conclusion
The conclusion of this article leads us to a discussion of “What are your requirements?” You should choose the operating system according to your needs. Yes, Linux is fast, lightweight but Windows is also user-friendly and easy to use.