Windows cannot do these 10 things, but Linux can
Linux is considerably superior to other operating systems for some users. There are many things you can accomplish with Linux that you can’t do with Windows.
In the last decade or so, Linux has grown in popularity. Despite having a smaller market share than Windows, it is well-suited to changing customer requirements due to continuous development. For the time being, Linux has several cutting-edge capabilities that other operating systems lack. Such advantages, as well as its steadfast support, are attracting a rising number of people to its community. So, here are ten things you can’t do on Windows that you can do on Linux.
- Live Boot
Linux comes in a variety of flavours, each with its own set of features. The beautiful thing is that most distros provide a live boot function that allows you to test the environment first. There’s no need to uninstall your existing operating system if you’re considering switching to Linux. The live boot functionality allows you to run any Linux distribution from a USB disc in real time. As a result, you can test a distro while maintaining your present operating system. This functionality, however, isn’t only for testing. It also allows you to store Linux on a USB device as a portable operating system. You can use any Linux distribution without having to configure your computer’s hard drive partition or other settings. Because it runs largely on RAM, a live boot is safe for your system. However, you must first make a bootable USB device using the distro’s ISO image.
2. Choosing from various flavors
Linux, as you may know, comes in a variety of flavours and variants. You can find distros tailored to specific audiences, including as gamers, inexperienced users, system developers, ethical hackers, network engineers, and others. Each distro has its own set of features and optimizations tailored to specific users and systems. The quality of the Linux ecosystem as a whole is improved by the rivalry amongst distros. You can even use one distribution for personal usage and another for professional use. This variability contributes to a more personalised experience for you. If you wish to utilise Linux for certain tasks, you can get a tailored Linux distribution. With so many distros and flavours to choose from, Linux gives you options that Windows doesn’t — Microsoft just has one main OS.
3. The price is freee!!!
Unlike Windows, which costs a lot of money, Linux is open-source and may be installed for free. Linux was created by Linus Torvalds, who desired a free operating system to use. As a result, you can choose any Linux distribution and install it without spending any money.
Furthermore, unlike the costly Microsoft Office subscriptions, most of the software that come with Linux, such as LibreOffice, Firefox, GIMP, and many others, are also free. One of the most important reasons for Linux’s success is its openness.
4. Customised Operating System
Because Linux is open-source, anybody can use, change, and share its source code, which relates to the previous statement. You get complete access to the code, which you can alter or even add own features to. This step is thought to be quite unique, which is one of the reasons for its appeal. Consider the features you’ve always wanted — now you can build your own operating system with them. Linux’s open-source nature has aided in the development of its community. Discussions on forums can quickly provide solutions and fixes for any difficulty you’re having. It’s all due to open-source software. Because source code isn’t available on Windows, you can’t do anything like that. Microsoft prefers to retain Windows as a closed-source operating system.
5. Antivirus NOT required!!!
Another advantage of Linux is that it does not require antivirus software. This is because the majority of viruses and malware are designed to infect Windows computers. The Linux operating system features a protective layer over its core OS files that prevents anyone other than superusers from accessing root files. As a result, virus attacks against Linux are uncommon. As a result, unlike Windows, you won’t have to buy expensive antivirus software for your system every year.
6. There is no need to restart the computer at each step.
On Windows, having to reboot after each system update or software uninstall is a real pain. This isn’t frequently the case with Linux, because the machine isn’t required to reboot at each stage. After changing any of the system’s parameters, such as the speakers, webcam, or other devices, Windows computers require a reboot. Linux is particularly smooth in this regard, requiring only a minor restart following a change in settings. Linux does, however, require restarting from time to time, but only after kernel updates. Overall, the process is relatively painless, as it does not necessitate extensive periods of waiting for a machine to reboot and setup following an update.
7. Resurrect Old PCs and Laptops with Lightweight Distros
Support for older operating systems is gradually being phased down. This is primarily due to significant advancements in hardware technology. With the release of Windows 11, Microsoft announced the end of support for a number of older PCs. Linux, on the other hand, has answers to this problem. Installing Linux distros that are compatible with your device requirements will help you resuscitate your ageing laptops and PCs. There are many of lightweight distros available that are specifically designed for low-end and ancient systems, so you should have no trouble finding the perfect one. Not only do you get distros, but you also get lightweight software that function without bogging down the system on ageing hardware.
8. Almost Any OS Component Can Be Customized
Because Linux is an open-source operating system, anyone can use, change, and test its code. This feature allows you to customise your system’s features and upgrades. Even if you aren’t a programmer and don’t want to mess around with the source code, Linux allows you to tweak practically every feature from the settings and the terminal. Themes, analytics, filing systems, and much more may all be customised. You can even alter your operating system’s default file manager, desktop interface, and other key components.
9. Make a folder called CON.
You still don’t believe? Try it out. Windows restricts the creation of a CON folder. This is due to the fact that CON is only to be used for specified system operations. However, Linux allows you to create a CON folder. In truth, there are no limitations on the names of folders and files. This is a functionality that is not available on Windows.
10. Simultaneous Use of Multiple Desktop Environments
The beauty of Linux is the variety of desktop environments available, such as GNOME, KDE, XFCE, and others. You can even install different DEs on the same Linux distribution. This functionality allows you to sample multiple flavours from the same distribution at the same time. Some Linux distributions come with various desktop environments pre-installed, while others require you to manually install and configure desktops. Because there is just one Windows desktop that you must utilise, you won’t find this functionality on Windows.
One-Of-A Desktop Experience
Linux is a cutting-edge operating system with a large community that is constantly expanding its feature set. In terms of features, performance, and stability, it is improving. As previously said, Linux offers a number of unique features not seen in other proprietary operating systems such as Windows. If any of these qualities are important to you in your operating system, consider switching to Linux. It’s free, and you can try it out with simply a USB stick and a live boot.