Windows is, by far, one of the most popular operating systems in the world. But this doesn't mean that it's the best, and if you're looking for something more than just a standard operating system, then it might be time for you to give Linux a try. While Linux may not have as many users as Windows, it has a lot of features that just make it astronomically better than Windows in almost every way.

5 It's free and open source

Accessible to everyone

One of the advantages of switching to Linux is that it's completely free. Unlike proprietary operating systems, Linux doesn’t require you to purchase a license to use it. In addition to being free, Linux is open-source, which means its source code is publicly available. This allows developers worldwide to contribute improvements, bug fixes, and new features.

While you may not be able to make drastic changes to the core system easily, Linux offers much more customization than Windows does. You can tweak the look, feel, and functionality of your distribution to suit your needs. Plus, with thousands of free applications available from the Linux community, you have access to a wide range of software without spending a dime.

4 No bloatware

Save storage and only install what you need

One of the biggest pet peeves many PC enthusiasts have with Windows is all the annoying applications that come with the operating system. It should be your choice what applications you want on your PC, but Windows often makes it difficult or near impossible for you to actually remove them. This is why you see a lot of people installing Tiny10 or Tiny11 operating systems instead.

With Linux, you don't have to worry about all the annoying bloatware. When you install a Linux distro, you will have a choice of which applications you would like to install alongside it. If you want a minimalistic approach to your PC, you can deselect all the related applications; otherwise, you can just add the apps you need for your daily work.

3 Customization and control

You choose how you want your desktop to look

Windows has to cater to a broad range of users, and this makes it a great platform for the majority of its users, but is never perfect. There will always be applications you don't need that you can't get rid of, and apart from changing your wallpaper or a few personalization options, there is very little to distinguish your PC from another Windows user.

Linux is a completely different ballpark, though, with the platform giving you almost unlimited customization options. Whether you're tweaking your individual system settings or changing your entire desktop environment and adding a custom GUI, you have endless options here. You get to choose what applications you want on the system and how the system looks and feels while catering and fine-tuning it to your exact needs.

2 Enhanced security

Better security and less malware

Windows has some great security features that are more than enough for general users. But, unlike Windows, which is more susceptible to viruses and malware due to its large user base, Linux is less targeted by cybercriminals and has better security protocols to defend against viruses and malware. However, market share isn't the only reason why Linux is safer; it's also the way it handles applications and permissions.

Linux gives lowered permissions to third-party applications, limiting the damage viruses can do to the system. Its army of watchdogs scours the source code of any software that comes to the platform, which limits the number of backdoors and security vulnerabilities that can be exploited. And its installation package managers are designed to download and install programs from trusted repositories instead of relying on users to use trusted sources.

1 Runs well on older hardware

There's a distro for every PC

If your PC or laptop is starting to age, you may be unable to upgrade to the newest version of Windows. Given the strict requirements that Microsoft has enforced for the Windows 11 operating system, many users are unable to upgrade and are stuck on Windows 10, which the company has openly announced will no longer be supporting after this year.

Instead of buying a new PC, you can just get rid of Windows entirely and use Linux instead. While there might be hardware requirements for some Linux distros. Many of them are designed to have lower hardware requirements than Windows, and otherwise, there are so many types of distros, you can just choose the one that works the best on your current hardware.

Linux is not only for technical users

Whether you're looking for an operating system that you can fully change and customize or just one that looks good and is easy to install, Linux has a version that is perfect for you. While many people believe the myth that Linux is only for tech enthusiasts or coders, the truth is that there are so many different versions available that it actually caters to all users, no matter what their preferences.