Windows has been, is and for now will be the most widely used operating system, both at home and at a professional level. But the fact that it is the most used operating system does not mean that it is the only one, nor the most secure, nor the best. Simply that, for convenience and availability, it is the most installed. However, Linux is gaining more and more prominence, both among home users and businesses. And 2021 may mark a before and after in this endless struggle between Windows and Linux.
When we talk about Linux we are not talking about using the Kernel as such, but about giving a chance to one of the many distributions that we can find on the market. For example, we can install Ubuntu, one of the best known, Kali Linux, a distro for ethical hackers, Tails, a system for paranoid about privacy and anonymity … and even Steam OS, a Linux specially created for gamers. Not to mention the large number of distros that, in appearance, mimic Windows so as not to have any learning problems.
Despite the wide variety of Linux systems that we can find, Windows still has a market share of about 90% , while Linux barely reaches 2.5%. However, 2021 is going to be a busy year for users of Microsoft‘s system, and that can benefit this other free system.
What awaits Microsoft in 2021
Big and dangerous changes in Windows 10
Windows 10 releases new versions of the operating system every 6 months . Each of these versions usually brings big changes, improvements and news, as well as corrections. But the greater the changes that are implemented in the system, the easier it is for something to go wrong.
2021 is going to be a motive year for Microsoft in this regard. On the one hand, the company plans to launch Windows 10X, its new operating system for touch PCs. In addition, the company prepares big changes for Windows 10, especially around the interface and appearance of the OS. These changes can go very well and be liked by everyone, or, most likely, the opposite.
The 2021 updates, especially the second (21H2) will be critical in this regard.
More cyber attacks on Windows than on Linux
Computer attacks have always had Windows in their sights. However, 2021 can be a much more dangerous year. With the rise of telecommuting , the end of Flash and the large number of vulnerabilities that we can find on the web, it is very easy to fall into the clutches of a hacker. And, being Windows users, the probability of this happening is higher.
Linux and macOS are neither malware-free nor invulnerable. All software can be attacked. However, being minority systems it is much more complicated for this to happen.
Users tired of problems
Windows 10 is giving more and more problems: performance, with updates, when running certain programs … and users are starting to get tired. Microsoft must remedy these problems as soon as possible, or many will seriously consider looking for an alternative operating system, such as a Linux distro.
Linux, the great alternative to Windows (if you don’t play on PC)
The only good and exclusive thing about Windows is games. Although there are programs (like Photoshop) that can also only be used in the Microsoft ecosystem, these can be run on other systems, like Linux, through tools like Wine. The only thing that doesn’t quite work out well is the games. In part, due to the drivers and the absence of DirectX.
If we don’t usually play games on the PC, putting Windows aside and giving Linux a chance will certainly be worth it. We are going to be much safer, more private and we are even going to get a better general performance of the computer. And we should not be afraid when giving this other operating system a chance, since, although more than a decade ago it was a crude and complicated system, today it is no more difficult than Windows, and the possibilities that offers yes that are far superior.