At present, domestic Linux is more commonly used on servers, while desktop operating systems are more commonly used in Windows. The main differences are as follows
| comparative level | Windows | Linux |
|---|---|---|
| interface | The interface is unified, the shell is fixed, all Windows program menus are almost the same, and the shortcut keys are also almost the same. | Graphical interface styles vary from release to release and may be incompatible with each other. The terminal of GNU/Linux is inherited from UNIX, and the basic commands and operation methods are almost the same. |
| driver | Rich drivers and frequent version updates. The default installation program generally contains hardware drivers that were popular when the version was released. New hardware drivers released later depend on the hardware manufacturers. For some old hardware, it is sometimes difficult to support it without the original driver. In addition, sometimes the hardware manufacturer does not provide the required version of the driver under Windows, which can also be a headache. | Developed by volunteers and released by the Linux core development team, many hardware manufacturers do not provide drivers due to copyright considerations. Although most do not require manual installation, the installation is relatively complicated, causing new users to face driver issues (whether it exists and installation method) will be at a loss. However, under the open source development model, it is easy to find drivers for many old hardware that are difficult to support under Windows. Hardware manufacturers such as HP, Intel, and AMD are gradually supporting open source drivers to varying degrees, and the problem is being alleviated. |
| use | It is relatively simple to use and easy to get started. The graphical interface is very beneficial for users without computer background knowledge. | The graphical interface is simple to use and easy to get started. The text interface requires learning to master. |
| study | The system structure is complex, changes frequently, and knowledge and skills become obsolete quickly, making in-depth learning difficult. | The system structure is simple and stable, and knowledge and skills are well inherited, making in-depth learning relatively easy. |
| software | Each specific function may require support from commercial software and requires the purchase of corresponding licenses. | Most software is freely available, and there are fewer software options with the same functionality. |