Differences between Linux and Windows
Contents
Linux vs. Windows[edit]
Linux and Windows represent two distinct approaches to operating system design, licensing, and distribution. Linux is a family of open-source operating systems based on the Linux kernel, first released by Linus Torvalds on September 17, 1991.[1] Windows is a series of proprietary operating systems developed by Microsoft. It launched in 1985 as a graphical operating environment running on top of MS-DOS.[2]
The primary difference between the two lies in their development models. Linux is distributed under various open-source licenses, such as the GNU General Public License (GPL). This allows users to view, modify, and distribute the source code. Windows is closed-source; Microsoft maintains exclusive rights to the code, and users must agree to a proprietary End User License Agreement (EULA).
Market share also varies by platform. As of 2024, Windows maintains a majority share of the global desktop market, estimated at approximately 72%. Linux holds about 4% of the desktop market but dominates the server and supercomputing sectors. All 500 of the world's fastest supercomputers run on Linux.[3][4]
Comparison table[edit]
| Category | Linux | Windows |
|---|---|---|
| Kernel type | Monolithic | Hybrid |
| License | Open-source (mostly GPL) | Proprietary |
| File system | Ext4, Btrfs, XFS | NTFS |
| Default interface | Multiple (GNOME, KDE, etc.) | Windows Shell |
| Software installation | Package managers (APT, DNF) | Manual installers (.exe, .msi), Windows Store |
| Updates | Rolling or point releases via repository | Mandatory point updates and "Patch Tuesday" |
| Initial cost | Free (most distributions) | Paid license or OEM pre-install |
| Case sensitivity | Case-sensitive (file.txt vs File.txt) | Case-insensitive |
Hardware and software support[edit]
Windows has broad support for consumer hardware and commercial software. Most PC manufacturers ship devices with Windows pre-installed. The platform is the primary target for the video game industry and specialized professional suites like Adobe Creative Cloud. Windows uses the Windows Driver Model (WDM) to ensure hardware compatibility across different versions of the OS.
Linux hardware support has increased through the inclusion of drivers directly in the kernel. This allows many devices to function without manual driver installation. However, some proprietary hardware components lack official Linux drivers. For software, Linux users often rely on open-source alternatives, such as LibreOffice instead of Microsoft Office or GIMP instead of Adobe Photoshop. The use of compatibility layers, such as Wine or Proton, allows some Windows applications to run on Linux environments.
Security and user permissions[edit]
The security models of both systems differ in how they handle administrative privileges. Linux uses a strict permission system where users operate with limited privileges by default. Administrative tasks require the use of commands like "sudo" or "su" to gain temporary root access. This prevents unauthorized applications from modifying system files without explicit consent.
Windows utilizes User Account Control (UAC) to manage permissions. While modern versions of Windows have moved away from granting permanent administrative rights to users, the system remains a frequent target for malware due to its high desktop market share. Microsoft releases security updates through Windows Update, whereas Linux security patches are distributed by individual distributions through their respective software repositories.
