Linux Is Better Than Windows — So Why Does Windows Still Win?

As a long-time GNU/Linux user, I have no hesitation saying this: GNU/Linux is a better desktop operating system than Microsoft Windows in almost every meaningful technical way.

It’s faster, more secure, more private, more customizable, and far more respectful of user freedom. Modern Linux distributions are polished, beginner-friendly, and capable of running smoothly on hardware that Windows abandoned years ago.

So naturally, I advocate for Linux—through blog posts, videos, and long discussions with anyone curious enough to listen.

But after years of doing this, I’ve accepted an uncomfortable truth:

Windows will continue to dominate the desktop market—not because it’s better, but because technical superiority doesn’t beat human behavior.

And that reality isn’t changing in 2026.

Let’s Set the Record Straight: GNU/Linux Is Better

Before diving into why Windows keeps winning, we need to establish something clearly.

From a technical and ethical standpoint, GNU/Linux outperforms Windows:

• Free and open-source software
• Stronger security model
• Far better privacy
• Lightweight and efficient
• Highly customizable
• Runs well on old hardware
• No forced updates or telemetry

Distributions like Linux Mint, Zorin OS, Ubuntu, and Fedora are no harder to use than Windows 10 or Windows 11. The idea that “Linux is only for experts” has been outdated for nearly a decade.

So if Linux is better… why does Windows still own the desktop?

Because being better has never been enough.

1. Windows Comes Pre-Installed (The Game Is Rigged From The Start)

Let’s start with the elephant in the room, Windows comes pre-installed on 95% of computers sold Worldwide.

When someone walks into a store and buys a laptop, it has Windows on it. Meaning the user did not choose Windows; it’s already there, chosen for them. And for the average person, “what’s already there” is good enough.

And then switching to GNU/Linux means:

• Backing up all your data
• Creating a bootable USB drive
• Installing a new OS
• Reconfiguring settings
• Reinstalling software

Even though this may just take 1 to 2 hours, it is still 1 to 2 hours of effort, which most computer users will never invest. And this is Human Nature. People won’t pursue excellence if it requires even minimal work. They will tolerate mediocrity if they can settle it with zero effort.

2. Familiarity Beats Quality Every Single Time

Windows, as an Operating System, has a history of being very easy to use out of the box. Windows XP, Windows 7, and Windows 10, in particular, have cemented that legacy.

But more importantly, everyone has used Windows. Even if someone does not own a Personal Computer, there is a high probability that they have used Windows-based computers in their schools, universities, or workplaces. So when the time comes to choose an Operating System for themselves, Windows becomes the obvious choice, not because it’s better, but because it is familiar.

3. Proprietary Hardware and Software Lock-In (The Real Trap)

We do not think about this much, but in general, we as computer users use our apps and programs way more than we ever use our operating system. And when it comes to app and software support, Microsoft Windows is still the king.

Additionally, not everyone uses their PC to just watch movies. Computers are workstations. People use them to run businesses, for creative work, video meetings, and so on. And as Windows was a business-centric Operating System right from the start, it got the upper hand.

Professional Software like Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office and AutoCAD keep users locked onto Windows. Yes, alternatives like LibreOffice, GIMP and Kdenlive exist. But the reality is: If your job depends on Adobe Premiere Pro, you are not going to switch to Kdenlive just because it is “good enough.” Your workflow, your clients, and your entire professional life are tied to one ecosystem.

The same thing is true for hardware. Computer hardware manufacturers always target the Windows user base first; everything comes later. And even today, many proprietary hardware components lack driver support for GNU/Linux.

So for a user, Windows becomes the only choice, not the best choice, but the only safe choice that guarantees their work gets done.

4. Gaming (Where Perception Lags Behind Reality)

A majority of users use their computers mainly for Gaming. And the gaming industry, too, is very much Windows-focused. Nowadays, after the advent of competitive esports and video game streaming services, the gaming industry has become a billion-dollar industry. Many users aspire to make it big there, and with Windows, they get an assurance that their favourite games and hardware like Graphic Cards, Capture Cards, and Cameras will work right out of the box.

But things have started to change. Now, handheld devices like Steam Deck run GNU/Linux as their default Operating system, and they play thousands of Windows games. Wine and Proton compatibility layer works for more then 80% of Steam’s library. Native GNU/Linux games are also growing in numbers.

But what hasn’t changed is the Perception. Most Gamers still think “GNU/Linux can’t game”. Many Competitive multiplayer anti-cheat systems still do not support Linux.

5. The DIY Philosophy Doesn’t Match What People Want

Do It Yourself is one of the core philosophies of GNU/Linux systems, and most of the time, it does not go well with Windows Users.

Even before someone starts using GNU/Linux, they have to do some prerequisites like backup creation, hardware compatibility checks, tackling the file system differences, etc. But for users who rarely open their Windows Control Panel, it is way too much work. It’s not that Windows users cannot do these things. They just don’t want to do it.

And in today’s modern society, where convenience is the key, people pay extra for pre-assembled furniture, meal kits, and one-click shopping. Why would they bother about computers?

GNU/Linux asks users to invest time upfront to gain freedom and control later. Windows says, ‘just use it, don’t think about it.’ For most people, that trade-off isn’t even close.

6. The Curse of Too Many Choices

Having hundreds of GNU/Linux distros could be an adventure for experienced GNU/Linux users, but for a Windows user who is thinking of making a switch to GNU/Linux, it is a massive puzzle.

Apart from the Distros, there are different Desktop environments, Window Managers, Display Managers, Package Managers, and ways to install a Linux Distribution. These create confusion. For them, having too many options becomes a curse, which eventually keeps them locked to Windows.

The Meta-Reason: Institutional Network Effects

Beyond all the individual reasons, there is one meta-factor that perpetuates Windows dominance:

Everyone else uses Windows, so you have to use Windows as well.

# Businesses Use Windows Because:

• IT departments are trained on Windows
• Enterprise software targets Windows
• Switching costs are enormous

# Individuals Use Windows Because:

• Their workplace uses Windows
• Their family and friends use Windows
• Tech support knows Windows
• Online tutorials assume you are using Windows

This creates a self-reinforcing cycle. Windows dominance perpetuates Windows dominance. Even if GNU/Linux became 10 times better tomorrow, the network effects would still favour Windows.

Why This Won’t Change in 2026 (Or Soon)

For Linux to dominate the desktop, all of this would need to happen:

1. Linux ships pre-installed on mainstream PCs
2. Adobe and Autodesk release native Linux versions
3. Enterprises abandon Windows workflows

None of that is realistic in the near future.

Excellence Doesn’t Matter If Nobody Tries It

Windows will keep winning—not because it’s better, but because:

• Convenience beats quality
• Familiarity beats innovation
• Pre-installed beats superior
• Social inertia beats freedom

That won’t change in 2026. Probably not in 2030 either.

The real tragedy isn’t that Linux isn’t winning.

The tragedy is that most Windows users will never even discover what they’re missing.

And unfortunately, human nature doesn’t change just because technology improves.