Posted on 03/17/2022 10:38:46 AM PDT by ShadowAce
For some users, Linux is far better than other OSes. There are a whole lot of things you can do with Linux that are not possible on Windows.
Linux has gained significant popularity in the last decade or so. Despite having a relatively low market share compared to Windows, it is well-adapted to the evolving user requirements through its constant development.
Linux has some state-of-the-art features that other operating systems lack for now. Such features, along with its solid support, are continuously growing within its community.
So, let's take a look at 10 things you can do on Linux that you can't do on Windows.
Linux has various distributions that offer tons of unique features. The great thing is that distros let you test the environment first using a live boot feature.
If you are thinking about shifting to Linux, there is no need to delete your current OS. The live boot feature enables you to run any Linux distro in real-time through a USB drive. So, you can evaluate a distro while keeping your current operating system intact.
This feature is not just limited to testing, however. It also allows you to keep Linux portable on a USB drive. You can start using any Linux distro without configuring your PC's hard drive partition and other settings.
Live boot is safe for your system as it mostly runs on RAM. But first, you'll have to create a bootable USB drive using the distro's ISO image.
As you may know, Linux has several distributions and flavors. You can find distros that are suitable for a specific audience like gamers, novice users, system developers, ethical hackers, network engineers, and more.
Each distro has some unique features and optimizations for particular types of users and systems. The competition between distros improves the quality of the Linux ecosystem as a whole. You can even use a particular distro for personal use and another for work.
This variety helps provide you with a personalized experience. You can get a targeted Linux distro if you want to use the OS for specific tasks.
With so many distros and their flavors, Linux offers you choices that you don't get on Windows—you get just one flagship OS from Microsoft.
Linux is open-source, and you can install it for free, unlike Windows, which comes at a rather hefty price. Linux creator developed this OS because he wanted a free operating system to use. So, you can select any Linux distro and install it without worrying about spending a dime.
Moreover, most applications that come with Linux, such as LibreOffice, Firefox, GIMP, and a lot more, are also free, unlike the costly Microsoft Office subscriptions. This freedom is one of the main highlights behind the success story of Linux.
Relating to the point above, as Linux is open-source, it means anyone can use, edit, and distribute its source code. You have access to the complete code, and you can modify it or even add custom features to it.
This step is considered pretty innovative, and it is one of the reasons behind its popularity. Imagine the features you always wanted—now you can add them yourself and develop a customized operating system.
The open-source nature of Linux has helped in growing its community support. You can easily get solutions and fixes for any problem you face through discussions on forums. It's all because of the open-source code.
Clearly, you can't do such things on Windows due to the unavailability of source code. Microsoft prefers to keep Windows closed-source.
Antivirus and virus and malware threats
Another perk of using Linux is that Linux-based systems don't need antivirus software. This is because most viruses and malware target Windows PCs.
The Linux system has a protective layer over core OS files, which doesn't allow anyone except superusers to access root files. That is why virus attacks on Linux are rare. So, you don't need to buy costly antivirus software for your system every year as you do with Windows.
Reboot after each system update or a software uninstall is a pretty annoying thing on Windows. It is usually not the case with Linux, as installations don't require the system to reboot at each step.
Windows systems require a reboot after a change in any of their configurations, for example, configuring the speakers, webcam, and more. Linux is smooth in this respect—it barely asks you to restart the system after a change in settings.
However, Linux does need to restart at times, but only after updates in the Linux kernel. So, all in all, the experience is pretty smooth, not requiring long hours of waiting for a system to reboot and configure after an update.
OS support for old systems is continuously discontinuing. This is mainly because of the rapid improvement in hardware technology.
Recently Windows, with Windows 11, has discontinued its support for various older PCs. However, Linux provides solutions to address this issue.
You can resurrect your older laptops and PCs by installing Linux distros suitable for your device specifications. You can easily find the right one that supports low-end and old systems as there are plenty of lightweight distros on offer, specially made for this purpose.
Not only distros, but you also get lightweight applications that run seamlessly on old hardware, without bogging down the system.
Again, as Linux is open-source, it means anyone can use, modify, and test its code. This feature allows you to add custom features and improvements to your system.
Even if you are not a developer and don't want to play with the source code, Linux lets you customize almost every aspect from within the settings and through the terminal.
You can customize things like themes, metrics, filing systems, and much more. You can even change the default file manager, desktop environment, and other primary components of your OS.
Don't believe us? Try it yourself. Windows forbids creating a folder named CON. This is because CON is reserved to use for specific system tasks.
Linux allows you to create a CON folder, however. In fact, there is no restriction in naming folders and files. This feature is something you can't have on Windows.
Desktop environments like GNOME, KDE, XFCE, and more are the beauty of Linux. You can go a step further and install multiple DEs on the same Linux distro. This ability lets you taste different flavors of the same distro simultaneously.
Some Linux distros come pre-installed with multiple desktop environments, while in others you've to install and configure desktops manually. You won't find this functionality on Windows altogether as there's only a single Windows desktop you're bound to use.
Linux is an innovative operating system backed by an enormous community that continuously expands its feature set. It is growing in terms of features, performance, and stability.
As listed above, Linux provides various unique features missing from other proprietary OSes like Windows. If you are looking for any of these features in your operating system, feel free to switch to Linux. It's free, and you can test it through a live boot with just a USB drive.
In Windows 10 you have to restart after you change the font.... You now need 3rd party tools to do what you used to do easily in earlier versions of Windows.
In Windows 7 you can make several changes under Personalize> Windows Color without restarting the computer.
I do not know why the change.
If and when me and the spouse go anywhere with it, she gets lost in Linux.
There are a couple of old games that run in W7, at least sort of that I like. 10 wouldn’t run them.
Also an annoyance with Windows 7 and earlier is it does not have a network driver when you first install so you cannot get on the internet.
I have my cd with the motherboard network driver on it handy but if I lost it then what do you do? I do have another pc to get online and find the driver to put on a usb drive then install on the other pc but not everyone does.
Quite literally the first search result from Bing:
https://www.xda-developers.com/windows-11-microsoft-local-account/
Mind PMing me with what those game titles are?
As far getting lost, it is the same with any new OS. Just like going from Win 7 to Win 10. You have to spend some time and poke around, and do web-searches. But all the answers are out there for free. :)
There are a few based on the Windows pre-boot environment (often called "rescued disks) that will let you test dive certain light-weight versions of Windows (Bob.Omb’s Modified Win10PEx64, Trinity Rescue Kit, Gandalf’s Windows 10 PE, Hiren's Boot CD, et Al).
"2. Choose From So Many Distros and Flavors"
Altogether there are 600-ish Linux distros, 400-ish of which are actively maintained. Most noobs are bewildered by the scope of selection so I would hardly consider this an advantage.
And worse, this also means dozens of different desktops. An impossibly large number of desktops is also a hindrance to Linux's popularity and market penetration.
"3. Use the OS for Free Forever"
I have two boxes running WinxpSP3 that still see occasional use. And I have occasion to run Windows 3.1 and MS-DOS 6.22 in virtual environments.
"4. Create Your Own Operating System"
I could build my own car, too, but I can't say that idea appeals to me much either.
"5. Use the OS Without Needing an Antivirus"
If you have a mixed network, Linux needs an antivirus, otherwise it might be "a carrier."
"7. Use Lightweight Distros to Resurrect Old PCs and Laptops"
I'm guessing you've never heard of Windows XP For Legacy PCs or (Win7-based) Window Thin PC, both official MS-releases, or enthusiast created light-weight distros, such as Windows 10 Ameliorated.
Rd later.
1. Easily find a wealth of safe freeware to enhance functionality without faulty installations (could not get WINE to work 2 day ago due to such) and or that lack in equivalent functionality. Including 200 tweaks available in in Ultimate Windows Tweaker 4 for Windows 10 From the Windows club. Add to this Winaero features of the Winaero Tweaker
2. Install programs not listed in Synaptics or equivalent without having to find the right script and running a terminal (if you even know what that is).
3. By default have a device manager like Windows default.
4. Right click on icons in the start menu (equivalent) and find the actual location of the file and or rename them, rather than no options.
5. Replace the start menu with one that you can quickly see the wealth of programs power users want to employ.
6. Easily make hot keys for programs, folders, or remap keys via AutoHotkey
7. Characteristically run programs without errors.
8. Easily create custom menus via Right-Click Extender (add items to many right click menus) on the desktop, computer, folders, to quickly access what you want.
9. Edit files without needing to run a terminal to obtain rights, versus simply clicking on a dialog box.
10. Have less problems relative to user base (on desktops: two percent of desktop PCs and laptops use Linux) and find solutions to problems much easier than with Linux, and usually without needing to learn what scripts to run (some distro-specific).
As your list:
1. Test a Distro Through Live Boot
Wrong. How to Test Drive Windows 11 Without Installing Anything
2. Choose From So Many Distros and Flavors
Without one able to obtain even 1-2 % of the desktop market. I believe one could be created that would be The Distro, but it would need to become more like the best of enhanced Windows, by default (from a better clock and file manager to software base).
3. Use the OS for Free Forever
True, else I would not have tried it or used it. Thank God for what it (and the PC) does, which is very substantial. However, since W/8, MS offered free upgrades to 3 versions.
4. Create Your Own Operating System
Hardly applicable, while one can engage in substantial enhancements of Windows for free.
5. Use the OS Without Needing an Antivirus... The Linux system has a protective layer over core OS files, which doesn't allow anyone except superusers to access root files.
Likewise with Windows. The most I have used since 9x is Windows defender. Pray and press, and do not visit porn or gambling sites, at the least.
6. Don't Need to Restart the PC at Each Step
And also with Windows 10 pro. Delay up to 35 days and again, or turn of updates.
7. Use Lightweight Distros to Resurrect Old PCs and Laptops
True, though cleaning up and editing start ups in Windows will usually fix it.
8. Customize Almost Any Component of the OS
Far easier in Windows.
9. Create a Folder Named CON
Seriously?
10. Use Multiple Desktop Environments Simultaneously
Well, there is How to Use Multiple Desktops in Windows 11
Yes, the closest in Windows is How to Get Windows To Go Windows 11
Thanks for the info. Not that i needed that folder! Now since you are in the know, where is the equiv. Linux list of canonical names as with Windows (like control.exe /name Microsoft.DeviceManager)?
Unless you are on the retail channel, in which case if you can you have a Windows 10 Retail license, you can transfer it to another computer, as long as you deactivate the old device. There is no limit on hardware. And how is here.
Years ago, the Lord enabled me to purchase a Win/ 8 upgrade from XP for $29 with the rebate (took months!) and then 8.1 was a free upgrade, and then I transferred it to a new homebuilt and installed W/10 on it (free download from MS) and since either XP or the upgrade was retail then I just needed to (prayerfully!) get on the phone with MS and find the license key and activate it. Now I may upgrade to W/11. Thank God for good deals for be used for good.
Bkmk
How to Install Windows 11 with Local Account
https://winaero.com/how-to-install-windows-11-with-local-account/
Here’s how you can install Windows 11 with a Local Account and omit the Microsoft Account requirement. It forces the latter by default if you have connected your device to the Internet. However, if it is not your plan, you can bypass the enforcement and set up Windows 11 with a traditional account type.
thanks, yeah- i shoudl just ignore the updates- every day there seems to be new updates- none of which i even need- likely-
Bookmark
Back when I had windows 98, I woild download game demos, even ful, games over dialup, and have a ton of fun playing them. The graphics weren’t the greatest, but the games were fun, and the demos would be very lightweight (but still take a ton of time on dialup lol). I was a demo junkie back in the day, till demos started getting larger and larger, but adding nothing really except eye candy. Now I have a 1 terabyte drive, and only a few games on it, and it’s nearly full (but I do dual boot, but still, Linux only takes up like 30,gig)
I actually miss the old games and how little space they too, up. I don’t care much for all the eye candy and ‘realism in today’s games. There were some really,spooky alien games out years ago that were a ton of fun to play.
[[Likewise with Windows. The most I have used since 9x is Windows defender. Pray and press, and do not visit porn or gambling sites, at the least))
But even when you are super cautious, there are times when redirects push you to,those sites before you even realize ehat happened. A few years ago, it was constantly happening (thankfully I had Rollback RX installed and could do system reverts). Then it calmed down for awhile, but happened again. It was like being on the defensive all the time. Now,I don’t worry about it, and just take the usual precautions to avoid sketchy sites. Windows today is pretty good at stopping the redirects now, but who knows whe it won’t work so well again.
That constant redirecting and the lousy windows updates screwing everything up, and then the harassment to upgrade to windows 10, and constsntly having to be cautious about everything really i order to tey to avoid viruses was what finally drove me to linux..
I dual boot now, as. I need windows 7 for games and photoshop and photo programs, but my everyday of is now Linux. There really is a lot of peace of mind now with it.
[[And also with Windows 10 pro. Delay up to 35 days and again, or turn of updates. ]]
Yeah but with windows 7 you weren’t forced to either delay or turn off updates, and you could get,only,the ones you wanted (like if you learned one update messed something up, you could avoid that one till the fixed it). Windows 10,took a lot of individual control away, and now gives you only 2 options, delay for a month, or turn off the updates and become vulnerable.
Or why grandma needs to learn all kinds of convoluted console commands.
“Back when I had windows 98, I would download game demos, even full, games over dialup, and have a ton of fun playing them. The graphics weren’t the greatest, but the games were fun, and the demos would be very lightweight”
Same here, I did the same back when. I spent months in a row playing the simple but challenging “blockman” game. And that is one thing I do enjoy about Linux, a LOT of the games available are older retro simple graphics style lightweight games like that. Games that will still scream on only 1 gig of ram. Quite a few retro 3D dungeon style games with simple blocky graphics, arcade style games, and 2D side scrolling games. So for those who like retro games Linux has a ton of similar available. :)
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