why do people continue to use microsoft windows instead of linux?

Answer 1

because it comes with most computers as they are sold, there are way more applications for it, and installing new hardware and software is generally easier

that said, I am a big fan of the Penguin

Answer 2

Partly because windows comes pre installed on new computers, many people don't even know Linux exists, and a lot of people are scared of anything they aren't used to.
Also perceptions of what linux is, affect it's desktop uptake, briatica3 says it's more prone to hacking, but the truth is it's easier to hack from within the system, which is good, but it's less prone to hacking from outside the system than windows is, which is great, and frodo.baggins thinks you need programming skills to overcome problems, I have't any programming skills but, with the help of the linux comunity, I haven't had any insurmountable problems, also I don't think there are any Linux distributions that aren't free to download and use, even Linspire is free now. Although all the free versions don't come with any support, the Linux community will supply all the support you need for free, which is more than microsoft does.
There are more people starting to use linux now, in the server market I believe linux is on par with windows, in fact Microsoft used a linux server as a firewall a while ago, when it was suffering from a lot of denial of service attacks. Many countries are now adopting linux, Germany, several South American countries, India and China to name a few are favouring the use of linux by their goverment's computer systems and pretty much every popular computer animated film is produced using linux.
So people will continue to use windows and probably will for a long time yet, but linux is gaining popularity and may one day at least be the equal in usage to windows and will always be better than windows until Microsoft gets it's act together and produces a good, cheap and secure OS.

Answer 3

One reason was all ready stated, That is, all non apple computers come pre-loaded with Microsoft os.

The other reason is that while Linux is free and is an open o/s, most individuals do not have programming capabilities to correct the problems they might experience. Also, while the number of applications being written for production used, theire is still a huge gap between what is available now on the open market for m/s and apple, theer isn't much out there for Linux.

Oh yea, I use to work for SGI and I managed the beta program to support Linux, the major concern we had was support for the product from the user community, the ability to ensure there wasn't some knid of security issue with upgrades (you don't know every individual that supplies patches to the os/ , kernal).

Lastly, there is a huge problem now with s/w changes. I.E., the linux community use to use a free program that documented any and all s/w changes that occurred,. The company that use to supply the free s.w will no longer allow the Linux community to use it for free.

One last thing, UNIX was at one time a free o.s created and supported by univerisities, And then guess what, Big business liked it and made their own version of it. Like IBM, Sum Micro, SGI, Cray, etc.

Answer 4

The answer to that is simple. There are more apps out there for Microsoft then linux. until recently Linux was not the same the Kernal was but not everything. one program that would work on one distro would not work on another. This has been fixed and you will start seeing Linux pick up in the world. Also more business use windows then linux so the end users know windows and are afraid of change. Plus they don't want to learn more things. Try changing or having a major app changed at work and see how the end users react.

Answer 5

Because MS is everywhere which is not really a good thing, but times are going to be changing! Have you tried Sun Microsystems OS Solaris? It's free, faster, and is built on Open X format (Compatible and flexible with most evey software including MS)

Answer 6

While Linux is less prone to virus, the simple structure of linux becomes vulerable to hacking. Everything is written in DOS (unix) based code, which is how beginning hackers learn to write/alter code.

Answer 7

Because Microsoft Windows is pre-installed on most computers.

Answer 8

Because I don't really understand computers, I just use it. I use Mozilla Firefox because someone told me it would be better, and it is.....much, much better. I don't get all the crap adware. You have to understand that the average user just does not get it. We don't know what linux is.

Answer 9

im not sure i think because microsoft is better

Answer 10

most softwares support windows only.