Difference between Windows and Linux

Key difference: The major difference that comes up while discussing Windows and Linux is the fact that Windows is a commercial operating system, while Linux is an open source operating system.

Windows and Linux are both types of operating systems.  An operating system is a collection of software that manages computer hardware resources. It also provides common services for computer programs. The operating system is a vital part of the computer system software, without which the application programs will not function.

The major difference that comes up while discussing Windows and Linux is the fact that Windows is a commercial operating system, while Linux is an open source operating system. Essentially this means that Windows costs a lot of money while, Linux is free.

Windows is a graphical interface operating system developed, marketed, and sold by Microsoft. It was first launched on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS due to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces (GUIs). There are various versions of Windows, such as Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, etc. The latest version of Windows is Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 and Windows Server 2012.

Linux, on the hand, technically is a kernel. A kernel is the central component of many operating systems. The Linux kernel was first released on 5 October 1991 by Linus Torvalds. However, the term Linux has come to refer to the full fledged operating systems built with the Linux kernel. These should be correctly called as Linux distributions or Linux-based operating systems. Some of the popular Linux distributions include Ubuntu, Fedora, SuSE and Debian.

Windows is a commercial operating system, which means that the operating system and its corresponding programs must be purchased, in order to be used. The combined cost of the operating system and its corresponding programs can reach up to enormous highs. Linux, on the other hand, belongs to the GNU Public License. This ensures that users can get free access to the code to the very kernel that serves as the foundation of the Linux operating system. Not only that, users can even alter the kernel in order to make changes to the operating system itself. These changes can include preference changes for usability or the operating system can be changed so much that it counts as a completely new Linux distribution.

Some say that giving the public access to the kernel code opens up the system to malicious developers, who might take advantage of the code to program malware, viruses, spyware, etc. However, others claim that having full access to the code helps bring about faster improvements and bug fixes. These improvements can then be used to plug the holes that the malicious developers may use.

Some common reasons that many claim make Linux better than Windows:

  • Linux is customizable whereas Windows is not.
  • Linux has a very good security as you can log on to Linux only with a user id and password.
  • Linux can boot from either a primary partition or a logical partition inside an extended partition, whereas Windows must boot from a primary partition.
  • Linux can be booted from any hard disk in the computer, whereas Windows must be booted from the first hard disk.
  • Linux uses a normal forward slash, whereas Windows separates directories with a back slash.
  • Linux file names are case sensitive, whereas Windows file names are not case sensitive.
  • Both, Linux and Windows support the concept of hidden files.

Windows has tried to be a system that is simple to use. It is designed with individuals that have no computer or programming knowledge in mind, as well as for businesses and other commercial users. This makes Windows quite simple and straightforward to use. It is in fact considered by almost all to be easier to use than Linux. Linux is an open source kernel, which is aimed at anyone interested in improving the code and using the system. This can mainly be done by someone with more than just common knowledge of computers and hence Linux is usually used by programmers.

The ease of use and simplicity of Windows makes it a favorite of common folks who use the computer for regular things, such as e-mail, web browser and word processors. Linux, on the other hand, is a favorite of programmers, who enjoy playing with the kernel codes. Linux is not really preferred by the general public, as it usually requires some knowledge of computer programming in order to use. According to Yahoo!, about 84% of all computers use Windows, 8.6% use a Mac, while 5.1% use a Linux-based operating system. 

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Comments

Nice but difference point to point to aur maja ayega

NICE if user are try eny metireal

What you say isn't thrue
About knowledge. I am using Linux Mint Quiana on a USB 16gig key to try (versus Win7) since end of may (i have load a lot of things and i have 5 gig free) and before I use Linux mint Petra 2 month ago on a 8gig key i have trouble a lot of time but anyway i destroy the installation cause my windows 7 antivirus .
On the key, Linux run faster than win7 because no need of an antivirus and defender or firewall who spy you who eat cpu time and all that because linux as suffisant protection .Only mozilla or opera need AdBlock plus . The programs also have no need to be big and bigger to make a lot of things The only problem is the wifi card . Some bad constructors doesn't offer LinuxOS drivers Thing is try: it on portable or read the box . For the rest bad manufacturer doesn't sale ...
The big programs are needed by win not by Linux more place for data and FREE!!!
Programs are also made by users for their own needs so better, usefull and easy to use and without a lot of options you don't need ... The other things is if you want to play with OS don't use superuser and root if you are using a definitive OS
2nd thing all the bugs made by Redmond are visible under Linux so you may see and find virus in directory you have not the right to access ( in an easy way under win in this case you need to contact MS superprogrammers Answer: buy! I have no money to spend for the grow of MS ) And I already have 2 PC under xp not up to date but still functionning using serial connection!!! and usb and no internet only to handle files and TV.
I thing with all the problems each days I have with Win7 (I stop now the upgrade who downgrade the performance)
I download mint iso put on a DVD RW disk everything work perfect only the keyboard map just easy to change
after a whole weekend problem all the modification and download can't be saved only on a windows directory for the datas So i install the system on a 8 gig usb1 Key : the complete system
and give the DVdisk to a friend the latest iso I install on USB2 key not a dvd and after that install on a 16gig
no trouble

i tried fedora and mandrive before i was curious about them this time ive managed to get ubuntu 12 .04 and have already run it onthe net opened some music emails looked at the office ect love it.so far nice and quick wish i new the language a bit would be useful

i loaded linux fedora once for awhile, loved it, it was fast considering id never seen it before and it looked so different i had use of its own office software my misic was soon playing. if it wasn;t for my music editting software and windows runing rather expencive games ide have spent moretime with it but know this i can't get it of my mind i think its time for another look but don't know where to start. how ever mac o|s kind of looks very linux to me may thats why they work well . windows loosses more good stuff with every upgrade it pur robbery

This is a bit scary . It's cut & pasted from the above article , and as I'm a bit long in the tooth , I'm not a fast learner .
" Linux is not really preferred by the general public, as it usually requires some knowledge of computer programming in order to use . "

nice

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