For those who are interested in Linux and have the time, this video provides a detailed answer to this question.
Linux Runs the Entire World but Everyone Still Uses Windows
- Thread starter lokamoka820
- Start date
The short version is that Linux dominates many “infrastructure” roles because it’s flexible, automatable, and cost-effective at scale, while Windows dominates consumer desktops largely due to ecosystem and distribution.
Why Windows is still the default on personal PCs
- OEM preinstallation and retail availability: Most laptops/desktops are sold with Windows preinstalled, and many buyers never change the OS. That default matters more than technical merit.
- Application compatibility: A lot of consumer/professional software is Windows-first (Adobe apps, some CAD/engineering tools, many business apps, niche hardware utilities). Linux alternatives exist, but they’re not always equivalent for specific workflows.
- Gaming and anti-cheat: Linux gaming has improved a lot (notably via Proton/Steam), but some anti-cheat systems and certain titles still don’t work reliably, which keeps many gamers on Windows.
- Hardware drivers and “it just works” expectations: Linux support is generally good for common hardware, but edge cases (certain Wi‑Fi chipsets, printers/scanners, RGB/peripheral software, specialized devices) can still be smoother on Windows because vendors prioritize it.
- User familiarity and support ecosystem: People learn what they’re exposed to. Schools, family support, repair shops, and workplace environments often assume Windows, so switching has a learning and troubleshooting cost.
- Fragmentation and consistency: Linux has many distributions/desktops/package formats. That choice is a strength for power users, but it can be confusing for mainstream users and for software vendors trying to support “Linux” as a single target.
- Corporate and identity integration: In many homes and small businesses, Microsoft accounts, Office/Teams, OneDrive, and Windows-centric device management are already embedded, making Windows the path of least resistance.
Security angle (since this is MalwareTips)
Linux isn’t “automatically secure,” and Windows isn’t “automatically insecure.” Desktop security is more about patching, least-privilege habits, browser hardening, and avoiding risky downloads. Windows also gets more commodity malware simply because it has the biggest desktop market share, which attracts attackers.
Practical takeaway
For many users, Windows remains the easiest option because of software/hardware expectations and default availability. For anyone curious about Linux without risking their main setup, using a virtual machine or dual-booting is often the safest way to evaluate it without committing.
It answers the question "why then?" but doesn't answer the question "why not now?", i.e., why aren't more users switching to it now?
Linux already comes with its share of hurdles. What do you consider the advantages of FreeBSD?
The Bot’s analysis is very complete; from my experience as a Windows user I can add that, although new versions may be tried, in the end one stays with what feels most familiar . Ultimately, beyond technical comparisons, I believe familiarity weighs heavily in users’ everyday decisions. 
Installing it as VMware Guest OS had a few kinks, chatGPT helpful, once up and running, it feels light, simple and stable. I've been running fedora the past 18 months and liking it, so somewhat surprised how much I like freeBSD 14.3 p9 for what I typically do with my desktop. ChatGPT printed a list of advantages, from that list I picked a few that are relevant to me:
Coherent whole-system design
FreeBSD is developed as an operating system, not just a kernel plus a pile of separately-governed parts. In practice, that often gives it a more consistent feel in base tools, startup behavior, docs, and system administration.
Strong networking reputation
BSD systems have a long-standing reputation for solid TCP/IP networking, and FreeBSD remains strong in firewalling, routing, network services, and server-style workloads. That is one reason it keeps turning up in appliances and infrastructure roles.
Stability and predictability
FreeBSD is especially valued by people who want systems that behave the same way tomorrow as they did today. The project emphasizes release engineering, documentation, and conservatism over fashion.
Security-oriented design options
FreeBSD includes multiple security layers and a long tradition of service containment, privilege separation, and tight system administration. It is not magically “secure by being BSD,” but it gives you strong tools.
I believe the reason is the same as why WhatsApp and Google Search continue to dominate the market share of their respective software categories: users are accustomed to using them initially and don't bother to look for alternatives later.
As a former Windows and now linux user, I can answer the why not move to Linux question?
- When you are a Windows power user, you are thrown back to novice user (luckily AI helps a lot in solving stuff)
- Despite many claims of Linux users telling Linux is faster, on modern hardware Windows is faster
(my wife has exact the same laptop and everything is faster on Windows11) - Windows offers excellent security when people are willing to invest some time
(e.g. my wife's runs on her laptop as standard user with SAC + SWH + Defender in whitelist mode, without a problem). - For gamers (often having recent powerful hardware) graphics drivers and performance can be an issue, although most games on steam work well
- For average home users accustomed to Microsoft office on their work (you already guessed): office incompatibilities in Word documents and Powerpoint presentations when your company uses advanced Corporate Identity templates and styling can be annoying.
As a Windows (power user) why move to Linux?
- Initially because of hardware requirements for Windows 11 on my desktop. Running dual boot (Windows for work, Linux for private) worked surprisingly well
- Rumors about Windows 12 becoming either subscriptions based of free but ad supported (which are still only rumors: link) and forced AI integration made me take the plunge when buying new Ryzen7 HP laptops (wife running Windows 11, I am running Linux Mint 22.2 Xfce)
My evaluation running solely Linux (no dual boot) for nearly one and a half year: was it worth it?
- For security reasons no:
The time you need to spend to overcome difference is a fraction people would need to invest in improving security using Microsoft security - For the dark shadow of Windows 12 and beyond yes
a) Linux is free never will be subscription based
b) Linux is not ad supported
c) Linux does not force you to newer hardware (works better than Windows on old hardware)
d) The weakness of Linux (over 600 different distrio's) is also its benefit: endless personal tweaking options,
e) You will probably never be forced to use AI
(I use AI a lot, so not AI hater, I just don't like to handover the control of my devices).
Last edited:
In the past I used Linux quite a bit, the issues I came upon were MS Office which I really needed & ripping DVD's CD's, transcoding etc, I never did find a program anything like as good on Linux as bought ones, so for a while I dual booted but this caused issues with the grub loader, I found running two OS's caused me more problems that it was worth, in the end & this was around five years ago & since then stuck with Windows which I can still get to run something like I wish, & reasonably happy - There has been so much happening in my family recently with ongoing illnesses I just don't have spare brain capacity to change, maybe one day?? After using Windows since 3.1 & every version I suppose as others have said I'm used to it.
Last edited:
"If it ain't broke, don't replace it"
Linux throws you into an operating system where you run into different problems than you do with Windows.
And besides, it bored me.
I'd like to know if, in a nutshell, you feel the same way I do?
F
ForgottenSeer 123960
When the average consumer hears the word "computer," they typically envision a desktop or a laptop. In that specific arena, the title of "king" still rings true for Windows. Microsoft's operating system commands approximately 70% of the global desktop market share, largely because of a decades-long reliance on Microsoft Office, Active Directory, and legacy enterprise software. Most corporate office workers are issued Windows machines by default, and thanks to DirectX and historical developer focus, it remains the undisputed leader in PC gaming, even as Linux begins to make notable strides through platforms like Valve's Steam Deck.
However, the claim that "everyone" uses Windows is a significant oversimplification of a diverse ecosystem. Apple’s macOS holds a massive, high-margin chunk of the premium market, particularly among creative professionals and software developers who value its Unix-based foundation and tight hardware integration. Meanwhile, ChromeOS has become a dominant force in the education sector, capturing a huge portion of the K-12 market due to its low cost and ease of management. Beyond these, a small but dedicated percentage of users choose Linux for its privacy and customization, proving that the desktop landscape is far from a monoculture.
The idea that Linux runs the "entire" world is equally hyperbolic. While Linux is certainly the backbone of the modern web and supercomputing, it does not act alone. A vast amount of the world's invisible infrastructure still relies on Windows Server for corporate identity management and internal networking. In the high-stakes environments of global banking and government administration, proprietary UNIX systems and legacy mainframes continue to handle billions of transactions daily. These systems are prized for their extreme reliability and "five nines" uptime, serving as the specialized engines that keep society running where general-purpose operating systems might falter.
The title is classic "clickbait-lite", it uses absolute terms to grab your attention. But it perfectly captures a strange reality, the underlying infrastructure of our modern world relies on an open-source operating system that the average computer user has never directly installed or interacted with on their home PC.
However, the claim that "everyone" uses Windows is a significant oversimplification of a diverse ecosystem. Apple’s macOS holds a massive, high-margin chunk of the premium market, particularly among creative professionals and software developers who value its Unix-based foundation and tight hardware integration. Meanwhile, ChromeOS has become a dominant force in the education sector, capturing a huge portion of the K-12 market due to its low cost and ease of management. Beyond these, a small but dedicated percentage of users choose Linux for its privacy and customization, proving that the desktop landscape is far from a monoculture.
The idea that Linux runs the "entire" world is equally hyperbolic. While Linux is certainly the backbone of the modern web and supercomputing, it does not act alone. A vast amount of the world's invisible infrastructure still relies on Windows Server for corporate identity management and internal networking. In the high-stakes environments of global banking and government administration, proprietary UNIX systems and legacy mainframes continue to handle billions of transactions daily. These systems are prized for their extreme reliability and "five nines" uptime, serving as the specialized engines that keep society running where general-purpose operating systems might falter.
The title is classic "clickbait-lite", it uses absolute terms to grab your attention. But it perfectly captures a strange reality, the underlying infrastructure of our modern world relies on an open-source operating system that the average computer user has never directly installed or interacted with on their home PC.
Did you experience dual boot issues on a device with a UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) or MBR (Master Boot Record) partition scheme? I am aware that GRUB issues typically arise with MBR, but does this also apply to UEFI?
but eg VMware Workstation is free now, run linux (or BSD) of your choice in VMware rather than dual boot.
Honestly, I like the idea of a desktop platform that isn't subject to the corporate whims of Microsoft. I'm not buying into Windows inertia as much as others. I don't believe the primary consumer OS should be a black box controlled by one company.
Linux is Unix-like, modular, and more democratic. It enjoys a lot of momentum and support behind it, but the gap in consumer/professional software availability is still a significant holdback for the year of the Linux desktop.
It doesn't feel like I can let go of Windows right now. Still, my PC would feel pretty great with a customized Linux desktop. If only it were even more practical without dual booting.
Linux is Unix-like, modular, and more democratic. It enjoys a lot of momentum and support behind it, but the gap in consumer/professional software availability is still a significant holdback for the year of the Linux desktop.
It doesn't feel like I can let go of Windows right now. Still, my PC would feel pretty great with a customized Linux desktop. If only it were even more practical without dual booting.
Last edited:
Realistically, it's big companies with a lot of money making the Linux ecosystem possible. The open-source, libre component is still strong, however.
Because it's a modular and customizable OS, you can choose to use software packages prepared by big names with big money, or you can choose something else. It's the best of both worlds and puts the user first.
Linux developers, instead of dividing efforts creating dozens of distros, they may think of collaborating to create a solitary, simple, completely UI-dependent Linux distro, in a similar fashion of ChromeOS.
I stopped working 7 years ago and started teaching (a year later because I had to much free time). In the Netherlands there are not enough teachers, so I increased working from 2 to 3 to 4 to 5 days a week working full time again as 67 year old. Yes Linux has it problems, but I am glad that Linux is boring security wise
You may also like...
-
Windows 10 Still on Over 40% of Devices as It Reaches End of Support- Started by Miravi
- Replies: 16
-
IPv6 just turned 30 and still hasn’t taken over the world, but don't call it a failure- Started by Gandalf_The_Grey
- Replies: 13
-
AI Code is Hollowing Out Open Source, and Maintainers are Looking the Other Way- Started by oldschool
- Replies: 4
-
-
S