Why Use Windows?

by Rich Menga on Jun 27, 2008 | 42 comments

I’ve been charged with the task of writing this article by the boss because evidently everyone else is deathly afraid to even speak of it. I’m not. That being the case, here goes nothing.

Reason 1: It’s the same OS you use at work.

In the large enterprise environment, this is usually how OSes are typically broken down:

Finance department (accounts receivable/payable): Windows.
Marketing department: Windows and Macs.
Plant floor: Windows and Linux.
IT: Windows and Linux.
R&D: Windows and Linux.
Sales force: Windows.
Customer Support: Windows.
Help desk: Windows.

No matter what department you’re in, large enterprise always uses Windows first. And at present it’s usually Windows 2000. That OS is very similar to XP. And if you’re using Vista, there is still that same familiarity from XP and 2000.

The familiarity is a selling point because there’s a very large population of computer users that absolutely positively do not want to learn a new operating system. Windows is what they know and that’s what they use, period.

If you use Windows and it does what you want it to do, it is your best choice.

Reason 2: Windows has the most hardware and software support.

Go to any retail establishment that sells software and you will see Windows titles. Lots of ‘em. Go to any retail establishment that sells computer hardware and everything works with Windows. Keyboards, mice, digital cameras, camcorders, printers, MP3 players and so on. All of that stuff works with Windows.

When you run Windows you have far more choices of where to shop for the stuff you want to install or plug in to your computer.

No other OS has as much choice and this is undisputed.

Reason 3: Your other choices suck.

The Mac fans will say “Try a Mac, you’ll like it!” This would be true if you actually could try a Mac, but you can’t. Can you rent a Mac and take it home to try it? Absolutely not. However you can rent a laptop with Windows and try that (go to any Rent-A-Center, they’re right there). So when a Mac fan says “Try a Mac” they mean “Buy a Mac”. And if you don’t like it and return it, the Apple Store will gladly charge you a restocking fee. You thought you were getting all your money back? Oh no.. this is Apple we’re talking about. They don’t do full refunds for Macintosh computers. How much will the cheapest Mac set you back? 600 bucks. And it doesn’t come with an Apple-specific keyboard or mouse (which you need by the way for the best “Mac experience” – and that costs extra).

You can try Linux because it’s free. But you’ll fast discover that the stuff that works in Windows without complaint is a nightmare to get working under Linux. Oh, so you wanted to plug in your printer and have it work? Sorry. Your wireless card isn’t supported? Guess you’re out of luck. Linux’s only saving grace is the fact it’s free because no one in their right mind would pay for this crap.

Remember all that software you bought over the years that works happily under Windows? None of it will work on the Mac or Linux. Feels good wasting money like that, doesn’t it?

Reason 4: Internet Explorer

There isn’t a single person who uses internet and hasn’t found a need (yes, a need) to use Internet Explorer from time to time.

Whether you use IE as your primary or secondary browser, you will notice that major web sites always work best with IE.

Great examples of this are your bank’s web site, your credit card’s web site, your ISP’s web site and on down the line. You use IE and they work flawlessly. You use anything else and you run the risk of weird issues or having the site not work proper at all.

Even though Firefox is my primary browser I am comforted by the fact I have IE 7 because there are times when it’s absolutely required to have it. And it’s only on Windows and no other OS.

Reason 5: It’s the most cost effective.

Mac is a money pit because you’re required to buy a Mac box to have their operating system. And Macs cost more than PCs do. This is undisputed.

Linux is a money pit because you have to waste massive amounts of time specifically looking for stuff that’s compatible (it’s never native) with the OS. Time wasted = money wasted.

You buy a box with Windows and you’re ready to go. It’s cheap; it has the most support; it works with everything.

The choice is obvious. Use Windows.

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Saverio
I want to believe your boss twisted your arm to write such an article. What you wrote can apply to people who know nothing about computers or people who use a computer but are not interested in IT whatsoever, …or hardcore gamers.
However, we both know that GNU/Linux is a far more stable and secure OS, and hardware support is growing at the speed of light. OSS is nowadays almost at the same level of closed source titles and besides, there is commercial software available for linux too. Granted, if you are a professional graphic designer or a media producer, for instance, MS Windows offers state-of-the-art professional software, like Avid, Photoshop, Corel, After Effects, Premiere, to name a few.
As for Macs, well…. their Macs.
Your article doesn’t encourage change and open mindness. MS Windows may be the best choice for many people, because of the familiarity with it, but it has so many flaws I don’t even know where to begin.
With all due respect, your boss is an idiot.

Sharron Field
You say Windows is a spyware/virus magnet. Incorrect; Windows is a targeted os – And who are the only people with a motive for and capable of writing viruses/spyware targeting Windows? Linux zealot geeks, that’s who. I personally have used Linux: Ubuntu Gutsy, Open SUSE, and others: I’m sticking to Windows after those horrific experiences.
If Linux is for you and floats your boat then fair play to you; but I know which os I’ll be sticking with.

Angel
Just because you had a bad experience doesn’t mean everyone does.

Doug
Without a doubt Windows is the main OS in business and home users. BUT, it is by far, the most troublesome OS. It is a spyware/virus magnet. Only those that have never tried Linux or OS X, love Windows. I was one of those people until about 15 months ago. I bought a Mac, and now see Windows as a toy. I have never had it as good as I do with OS X. It has never crashed, and it is fast. Sorry Windows users, but until you try Linux or OS X, you are playing with a toy OS.

Matt
I run a high end Vista build. Can run all the games/programs I want/like. I could probably only run Firefox if I switched to a Mac. I have never had any viruses, not even on my old XP build. Both my builds, for sure, run a hell of a lot faster than your Mac, and they both perform ten times better – also with no crashes. It’s all about if the price is worth the compatibility and performace and for a Mac its just not.
A Mac is the toy because there is only one or two things you can do with it then you are bored. Nothing else to do, nothing else to try because it won’t let you as its foundations are so incapable.
It is in no way troublesome if you take care and treat it with a bit of respect. You would do fine with Windows – you bought a Mac, your not exactly the type to go surfing the wrong stuff.

Constance
Well, there you go: high end. You run a -high end- Vista build. What about a middle build? I know several people running Vista with 1 gig of ram, and dual-core processor that hits between the 1.5 and 2 GHz mark. They hate it. It made their computer, which ran fine on XP, crawl and beg–a bit of an exaggeration, but the point is, it was unbearably slow. That’s just Vista. XP, I find is a fine OS, for the masses. the problem is that XP is quickly being put out of the picture. I don’t think that Vista is great and for the reason I recommend Macs or Ubuntu, if I feel the person is computer-literate enough.
Macs are not toys. Whatever you can do on a PC, you can most definitely do on a Mac–exempting Games, which has been been reigning supreme on windows for years now.
Ubuntu (I know nothing of the others), is a fine OS too. Once it’s up and running, I haven’t found anything that I can’t do on it that I could on a PC, barring MS products and again Gaming. It’s more customizable than Windows will ever be, and hell I’ve found instances where it supports hardware better than windows.
As for IE7, there’s always the User Agent plugin for FF for those pesky occasions.

Matt
Vista uses no more memory than XP if you customize what services you want to run in the background. If you don’t know how to do that then thats your problem.

Freddy
The things missing from this article is depth. It just lacks anything new and original about using and staying with Windows.
You should have a part 2.
Hellfire29
I disagree with 4.
There is a plugin for Firefox so that it will render pages like it’s in Internet Explorer.

Sharron Field
Why did they build a plugin to make it properly and in many cases necessarily functional? Why not just code it in to the main build?

Ashley
This was a very biased article. Essentially what you’ve done is said that Windows is king, regardless of high price, bloat, being a virus/spyware magnet and lack of stability. I certainly hope your boss made you write this, because such fanboyish-ness is not something a tech journalist should have.
What it appears is that you tried Linux for about… say, an hour, and apon not having everything working by “magic” you immediately proceeded to quit and whine about it. How long have you been using Windows? Say, about eight years maybe? You can’t understand Linux in an hour. It takes time to learn.
Good think no one else wanted to write this article, maybe some of the others are better.

David Risley
Of course it is biased, Ashley. That was the entire point. We’ve done articles on this site on why use a Mac and why use linux…it was only fair we do one on why use Windows.
And Rich has a lot of experience with Linux. Stop and think before you assume that people who write on this site are nuts, ok?
http://www.menga.net Rich Menga
Well.. since the question was posed:
I’ve been using Windows since 3.1 (1992) and Linux since Red Hat 5.2 Apollo (1998). So I’ve actually been using various versions of Windows for 16 years and various distributions of Linux (SuSE, Damn Small, PCLinuxOS, Ubuntu, Mint, Sabayon, Turbolinux, etc.) for 10.
I *bought* my Linux off the shelf at a Borders in 1998, thank you very much.

http://cryzed.de/ cryzed
Well – then your biased review of Windows/Linux and Mac _really_ sucks – You’ve got no excuse then, thank you very much.

lexx
you know damn well that if u know how to use a pc linux is the BEST OS i run all the software that i paid for on linux my fav being WOW which seems to work better on lin vista suks and you know it Xp is much better to ever1 out there do not buy a pc with an os just get linux and try to get vista or xp free its not worth the 89-1**$ that ur paying

http://www.menga.net Rich Menga
In order to respond to this properly I will now use ghastly Netspeak:
/begin Netspeak mode
u no linucks cant compair to windoze so go fsck urself lololol XD an yeh u go bak 2 playin ur WoW on ur mommys puter lolololol vista RULZ!11!1!!1111!!
/end Netspeak mode
Ah, that was fun.

Sharron Field
Yo Rockin Richie; go Rockin Richie.
Ya no Rockin Richie that linucks sux;
Ya noze da windoze cost mega-bucks.
Ya noze dat a mac is a komp on crack,
An ya rite al right an ya dont giv a

http://www.menga.net Rich Menga
http://youtube.com/watch?v=UQqx5EsbSfY

Chris
I have used nothing but windows, since my first pc back in 91. I have tried linux and was not impressed.. There are two many different version, and I really am hooked to windows. I run windows on all my pc and laptop 4 in all.. I use XP Pro and Vista. Vista is more of a pain and loaded with all kinds of useless stuff.. I will always be a Windows user, and will never switch.. What people don’t understand is because it is so popular of course it will be a target of hackers who will no doubt continue to find ways to exploit it and install viruses and spy ware.. But as these attacks increase Windows will always find a way to close the holes that they seem to find a way in.. With the proper anti virus, firewall and spy ware software, there is no reasons why people will have these problems.. I have not had a virus, Trojan or any other problems attack my pc in the last 3 yrs. Even when those viruses came out that made headlines, over the last couple of yrs, my pc was never attacked..This is just because of good pc habits.

Saverio
Why should I “pollute” my system with tons of anti-virus programs, anti-spyware, firewalls, etc.? They drain resources, so much that they may be consider viruses in an of itself. The only difference is that you manually, voluntarily install them: That’s insane.
If I can choose an OS that doesn’t force me to pollute it, I certainly will.

Sharron Field
From what you wrote above, (The intelligible part, that is.) it appears that you’ve been running Norton in Windows on an antiquated PC with a P1 and 32MB RAM. Unfortunately the installed hardware doesn’t evolve with the downloaded software unless you physically upgrade. (Although I have managed to run XP on a P1, despite very slowly and badly.) On a modern “base-spec” system the security software background processes barely touch the CPU activity, uses a tiny fraction of system resources, and is not a problem. (Unless you run Norton – Which is resource-intensive and ineffective in comparison to most others too.)

Saverio
The principle remains: I must be able to choose whether I want a certain software tool or not. I want to use my PC the way I want, not the way corporations want me to use it.

Malcolm
I have never had to buy and install anti-virus software on either my Mac or any of my Linux boxes. I have never had a virus on either. My Windows machines have been infected despite costly subscriptions to anti-virus services.
With the exception of a Canon scanner, every device I have plugged into my Ubuntu Linux machine has worked. Sometimes it has asked me if I want to download and install the proper drivers, and having answered yes, it all “just works”. I have had lots and lots of trouble getting things like scanners, printers and network devices to work under Windows.
With Linux, I find I am immediately productive, and do not have to waste time tracking down obscure little faults. My Linux machines continue to work year after year without suffering “OS degradation”, whereas I find I have to do a complete Windows re-install every six months or so to regain the performance I had when it was last installed.
I know my Linux machine does not snoop through my application collection and report what I am using to Microsoft. I know this because I am able to look through all the programs installed in the OS and read about what they do on the net.
Best of all, with Linux, there is no registry to get corrupted. All configuration files are human-readable, and easily found in the /etc directory.

telegramsam
Why do all you people get so uptight and angry about this? Everything the article said, to some degree is true. So were the statements in the Mac and Linux articles. It doesn’t matter. We should just all consider ourselves lucky that there are choices and options out there.
Remember that saying about arguing on the internet being like winning the Special Olympics…?
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Sam
The person who wrote this topic is a parasite and is having experience to beg person to person for becoming a pillion rider only rather than driving vehicle by his own.*NIX guys… Why are you wasting your valuable time by posting comments on such topics created by DUMBOS? Go,enjoy your rides and always stay ahead:)

http://www.menga.net Rich Menga
Thanks for calling me a parasite and a “dumbo”. I hope one day to be as cool and smart as you are. Then maybe I can hurl childish names in your direction too. One can dream, right?

Sam
No Man..U’ve mismatched.I m having no problem with any of your comments.But I m highlighting this sentence only.Just take a look
“Linux’s only saving grace is the fact it’s free because no one in their right mind would pay for this crap.”
Do Linux seems a crap to u?
Every OS has its own Pros and Cons.Have u ever tried *NIX distro’s?
If you didn’t yet then you don’t have any right to say like this because developers are maintaining support for it free of cost.So just think how much times they are donating from their end.Will MS support ever do same? Will u donate one-tenth of your own time to develop a free tool?
If tried then I can bet that you’ll never say like this and its a possible chance also that U’ll never turn back towards Windows.
Please let me know if you’re having anymore.

http://www.menga.net Rich Menga
I’ve been using Linux distributions since Red Hat Apollo (1998) – which I’m betting goes much farther back than when you started using it. And have you read *any* of the other Linux articles I’ve written here? Have you seen *any* of the Linux videos I’ve done here? Obviously not.
Try looking around the site next time.

absolutezero1287
I think you’re nothing more than a troll. I’m a computer science major studying to be a software engineer. I find that Linux gets the job done if you’re willing to learn a bit. I started with Ubuntu and then used LFS. As of now, my favorite distro is archlinux. In terms of how archlinux works (BSD-style init system and other goodies) compared to Windows and even some other distros, it is much easier to customize and far more secure than Windows.
Linux is not security through obscurity. It has a _PROPER_ permissions system so that the user isn’t running as root/admin the whole time.
The only time I would recommend Windows is if someone plays videogames and hasn’t discovered the PS3, is too lazy to learn about Linux, or uses certain Windows only applications.
This is my favorite line: Reason 3: Your other choices suck.
Yes, Rich….you sound like you have much to teach us idiots. I stand in awe at your wisdom.
It looks like you’ve been using Linux longer than I have (I’m also probably younger) and you still have yet to understand it or the philosophy behind FOSS. Worst article I’ve read in a while.

Vince
Okay, some parts of this article are a bit extreme with its points. I can accept that windows has itself planted firmly in the market and that most people started using windows PCs. But the description of some of the Linux points are a bit unfair. Even though this is directed at the consumer market, I will add my comments.
When you say windows has the most hardware support, that’s not completely true. Most peripherals (mp3 players, video cameras, sound cards) have drivers written for Windows (sometimes Mac too). I will give you that. But when it comes to the architectures that Linux can run on, Windows can’t compete. There are lots of other architectures out there (Sparc64, PowerPC, MIPS, alpha, amd64, ia64) and Linux has extensive hardware support for a majority of them. That’s not very relevant to the consumer standpoint, however. :/
When you brought up your Reason #3, it just seemed kind of harsh. A lot of Linux distros are developed with the help of grants and collaborations with developers of hardware. This has helped with completeness of a lot of hardware support, however, some manufacturers are not releasing and code or designs to the community to help support their hardware. It seems a little absurd considering that HP (who has Windows on pretty much all of their comptuers sold, not incudling HP-AIX and UX.) has released open-source printer drivers for Linux that supports a vast majority of their printer product line (My multi-function HP Deskjet P4280 All-in-one works great on Fedora 11). The problems with wireless cards have been disappearing slowly as Broadcom and other networking chipset companies have been releasing code and providing their own proprietary drivers for Linux (available in Ubuntu repositories, nonetheless).
Another tough to ignore point is that a lot of manufacturers have been rolling out netbooks with Linux on them (Xandros, Linpus, Ubuntu). Since the Linux netbooks are the cheapest, people will probably be buying them mostly if left to their own wits (if there’s not a geek squad member or somethign nearby trying to sway them away from them). The Eee has great hardware support for printers and wireless cards. Vodafone, a UK telecom company, has released their own driver utiliites for the Eee’s Xandros for full support for their modems (You can take advantage of things like SMS messaging via computer). That’s bringing Linux’s market abundance up (at least in the consumer market).
Just thought I’d add my 2 cents since there’s a couple of Linux Zealots commenting from what I can tell. I’m not much of a Linux zealot, I have 2 PCs. My main is running Windows 7 Build 7100 and my secondary (a laptop with a broadcom wireless card) is running Fedora 11 with wireless drivers easily installed via rpmfusion and yum.
This is not really keen on reply, just a couple of my thoughts.
http://www.mgoforums.com Sousuke Sagara
What? Internet Explorer is useless, the only reason i use Internet Explorer is to download Firefox or Google Chrome, Macs have Very high build Quality so you wont be disappointed with the unit itself, You can try a mac at any Apple Retail Store or an Apple Authorized Reseller. Also my work uses a Windows CE System which isn’t anything like what Windows XP/Vista is like.
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Miike
hahahahahaha! Wicked spoof article man =D
What Now
Why Use Linux
(1) Morals. Don’t give money to a company convicted of criminal behavior.
(2) Free software. You can burn copies of most Linux distros and give them to your friends without being taken to court. You can examine the source code and modify and learn from it. With Linux, you have control of the software, not some criminal company.
(3) Security. No spyware/viruses to contend with on Linux.
(4) Customizable. This isn’t Soviet Russia where everything must look the same. Even without modifying the source code, you make Linux look any way you want. Witness the screenshot thread on Ubuntu Forum’s Coffeehouse.
(5) Easier. Ubuntu and Fedora have tools that download and install multitude of programs in one click. This is impossible in Windows.
(6) Portable. There are Linux distros which can run on systems Windows was never able to.
Trey
1: Just because something is popular does not make it right.
-most windows users don’t know how to use windows all that well anyways (as with any OS)
-Arguing that you should use windows because your friend uses windows is completely invalid. most (all that I can think of) common files can be run on a Linux/OSX/BSD/Solaris/Unix equivalent without any work.
-Linux/BSD can be added to all machines for free. windows cannot make that statement
2: Just plain false/slanted
-of course the ~80% market share has more individual hardware friendlies. even so my Dell built to run Windows was heavily buggy… until linux, where everything worked with less than 30 min. of tweaking SEAMLESSLY.
3:Not one point made.
-sure it is hard (impossible) to try OSX, but what does that have to do with the OS. as if Microsoft isn’t just as big of a con circus.
-Linux really isn’t any harder for day to day use. (every now and then some vocab. knowledge may be necessary though)
4: Firefox/Safari/Opera/Chrome/…. all free and more secure
-when do you “need” one browser… NEVER. IE has now magical powers its just on the majority of machines and is a necessity to be familiar with
5. Is it really cost effective when almost everything else is free. a 0:anything ratio beats a 100+:anything.
-Free software that runs native with community support: found on Windows and EVERYTHING ELSE
True I am a bit of a windows hatemonger but I see its uses for the every day user. The problem is these uses only exist because windows is dominant and because of this it will never die. Windows gets the Job done(ish) every time, but everything else gets the Job done right with customization 90% of the time. most of the legendary linux nightmares could have been avoided with minimal research. (if IE is so great why don’t you use it to make a real argument.)
Windows is the universal OS like English is the universal language: Technically True, Practically False. it doesn’t stack up because it hasn’t had to fight like Mac. (even Linux geeks promote without gain)
btw: not all windows coding hackers use Linux, windows is actually a better choice as it provides a direct test environment.
Ricky
This is the worst article I have ever read. I was hoping to read a good case for why we still use windows when we have clearly better OSs out there that are free, only to read 1 good point followed by 4 nonsensical ones.
Reason 2 is not true at all, Linux supports almost all hardware out there, in some cases such as legacy machines better than windows.
Reason 3 is pure BS. Ubuntu Linux is one of the best, most seamless operating systems I have ever used.
Reason 4. Internet explorer is the worst modern browser in the world. Any site that would require it is not worth visiting. IE refuses to follow standards and thus holds the rest of the world back.
Steven
Who cares – use what you want… all computers suck at the end of the day.
Krowl
Reason 1 is only relevant when buying a PC FOR work, I run an IT Department and use a Mac at home and Windows at work, Mac is just a good escape after a long day of dealing with frustration from Windows.
Random Technical Manager
Who employed this guy?
I’m so glad I employed intelligent, QUALIFIED, technical staff. You are very obviously an unskilled amateur.
One day I’ll be able to read decent technical articles, this article was just uneducated garbage.
Rich
Thank you for posting your comment on a two-year-old article. You are so cool and awesome for doing that. I’m sure all of Canada is proud of you. Have a nice day.
Pohatu9
Yes. except for the ps3 part. Computers are more open to video games, especially linux, but dev’s just think it’s a waste of time… But I don’t know about red hat apollo, and I didn’t check the rest of the site, because I searched for a PRO WINDOWS ARTICLE.

Why Use Windows?

Reason 1: It’s the same OS you use at work.