what is the difference between windows and linux?

Answer 1

There are so much techincal differences between them but few are

1. Linux is open source, that means anyone (not virtually any1) can add thier piece of logic to the existing features to make it even better. While Windows is Microsoft's patented OS.

2. Linux is more secured and more stable than Windows as it follows the rigid Unix OS model. Having said that, this is changing fast and Windows is getting better at every release and may even overtake Linux by its next release (Windows Vista).

3. More softwares / games are programmed to run in windows than linux so if you are planning to get Linux, you may need to sacrify some of your favourite softwares/games. However, there is always an equivalent program in Linux, to that you have used in windows.

4. More personal computers run Windows, however, Linux is catching up fast when it comes to server OS, bcuz of its stability and security. (almost all big websites like google, amazon, ebay, yahoo etc uses linux) These features maynot be as important in personal computers but paramount in servers.

5. Windows cost more. Though Linus is free, there are few commercial versions in Linux that costs a bit (with added features and softwares)

Answer 2

Long before Windows was even though of, there was an operating system called Unix. Developed by Bell Lab in the 1960s. It was used mostly on mainframe and other pre-PC computers. Bell Lab did not maintain a copyright on the program allowing it to become "open source". Meaning anyone could use, copy it, modify it, etc. for free.

The home PC appeared in the 80s and Windows in the 90. Gates marketing strategy of giving you Windows free with every new computer quickly made it "the" operating system most people and business use.

But Unix was still around, and used for a lot of high end applications that Windows could not run. Unix was able to see parger hard drives, do networking, and see more meory then Windows could (at that time).

In the late 90s a version of Unix called Linux was released. Again, it is free, open source software. It replaces Windows as the main environment in which the computer runs. While Unix was still mostly text based and line commands, Linux has a Windows like screen with desktop, icons, cursor, etc.

Windows is still the Operating System used on about 90-95% of computers world wide. But more people, and especially companies are trying Linux. Partly because it is free. It you think software for your home PC is expensive, trying buying it for several hundred people in your company. Linux is free. And has a free versions of programs that are like Word, Excel, Internet Explorer, and almost any other Windows "work-type" program you can name. (Even Instant Messaging). Linux does not have a lot of games. Not even of the machines in homes to be worth anybody's time to write them.

The latest Operating System for the MAC is Linux based and allows the running of linux programs on MAC PC. (It fact, if you have run a MAC, you have run Linux. They are almost identical in look and use.)

Answer 3

Windows is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) operating system...point and click so to speak...as where Linux is not. Linux requires you to type in your commands like DOS. They have a version called Lindows, but I'm not sure how well it works. As for preference....Linux does not suffer with the same attacks on it's OS as Microsoft does, thus making it more stable. One last thing, as others have stated, Linux is open source, so anybody can get the code and update it if they have the proper programming skills to do so....Windows is a proprietary OS, soley owned by Microsoft, so only the company can make changes. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

I would like to correct a couple of inaccuracies in some of the above posts. Linux does not require you to use text commands. You get your choice of two major (gnome and kde) desktop environments, and many smaller ones. KDE operates pretty much like the Windows user interface, so it won't be that strange to people just trying it out for the first time.

The strengths of Linux are security (if properly administered), speed and efficiency, and low cost. Weaknesses are lack of software (mainly games), and maybe a little more work to administer, although people argue both sides of this point.

The person above who gave a little history of Unix was not entirely correct. The actual trademark Unix is still being fought over in the courts (last I heard at least). Linux was written from scratch and is a Unix work-alike.

Technically, Linux should refer to the kernel only. Most Linux distributions should be called GNU/Linux, as they are the kernel and GNU tools to make the base OS.

The kernel, the GNU tools, and most software for LInux are released under the GPL license, which basically says you are allowed to freely copy, distribute, use, and even modify the software. I think it also says that the author will agree to make the source code freely available.

Answer 5

Windows is software sold by Microsoft, and Linux is an open source operating system written by a community of programmers for the fun of it.

Answer 6

Windows is an operating system developed by Microsoft. Linux is free OS, open-source, based on Unix.

Answer 7

Linux is free, you have to pay for Windows.

Windows works better, I think

Some softwares can't run on Linux

Answer 8

Windows is commercial and costs a bundle. Windows has perpetual security holes, needing continual updates.
Linux is "open source code" which is free. Being open source code, any script Jockey with know how can add God knows what to the system source code. So the difference? Several hundred dollars I suppose.

Answer 9

linux is open source

Answer 10

Windows is user friendly uses GUI(Graphical user interface) .Its easy to use.
Linux is less friendly because you have to know the commands.