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+--- Thread: Windows/Linux - PC OS battle (/showthread.php?tid=50)
Windows/Linux - PC OS battle - burro - 07-14-2026
Ok, now that games mostly work on Linux (more for Steam games), the very last app is MS Access that doesn't have many good options to run besides Windows VM.
Some use MS Access to store and manage data, and with Windows updating their T&Cs to own every soul that has it installed.
The rush for user data is behind the scenes agenda to provide quality data about individuals, for overall "security" and "accuracy" on your insurance.
Most times it feels like they're working backwards - data required, how to get it on the system, get users to use it.
Linked in was so good at it, that it seems to be the only reason Microsoft bought them. Now you're linked to people that you talk to digitally even before you add them anywhere.
Meta is in the same pond. They have every cellphone number, and cover by making some business and AI subscriptions.
So a lot of services resort to saying "we may share your data with third party providers", and that pretty much is a wildcard to do whatever they like and when they get caught, they get a parking ticket in fines to pay.
All the concerns above and ongoing squeeze of privacy, alternatives often begin to look more enticing to lift the concerns and move on.
Back to MS Access compatibility issue, looks like instead of waiting for Linux support, it's time to migrate to another application that can do the same job.
The disadvantage with Linux e.g. Ubuntu distro, is that it's often updated to have new look, minor patches, but even one unsuccessful tinkering moment you're left with a brick. So don't jump too far too fast.
Some prefer Fedora and Mint due to their stability. Ubuntu is beginner friendly testing ground that can do everything, but it also depends what you're looking to do if you have to have specific functionality.
As few examples:
- Ubuntu (provider - Canonical) - polished interface and functionality.
- Mint (From Ubuntu LTS, provider - Canonical) - overall just stable OS, the middle ground
- Fedora (provider - Red Hat) - up to date software if you have brand new PC or need latest software
- Ageless (community driven) - removes and forbids any kind of identification that is being introduced by "5 eyes", the countries that are abusing privacy for "security" for the last 2 decades.
- POP_! OS - for designers and gamers
- OpenSuse - more for system management, very flexible configuration, for low powered devices and enterprise hardware.
- Kali - specialized for "senior" Linux guys that work with more than 1 machine and deal with computer security.
- Zorin OS - Windows like behaviour and interface
- ... if you want me to list all 600 distros and what they do - don't hold your breath, because no one knows. It's more of word of mouth and praise of their community that makes them more popular. Just like Mint is a spinoff from Ubuntu, a lot of other distros are based on other distros as well. e.g. Manjaro based on Arch.
So if you're looking for distro, just pick what you do more of. A lot of users are locked with Windows though due to working environment or requirement for software. For everyday use, it's just like using Mac instead of Windows, except instead of spending, you get to use opensource software that doesn't cost a dime.
Due to budget friendly community, you can expect a bit less of a flashy software as well. e.g. Mozilla Thunderbird - it's very flexible, but you must be indifferent to it's look if you don't instinctively go to find a theme. It does have themes, so try them out first thing after setting up your email.
Although, it seems as if everyone has extended knowledge of distros, the reality is that very few professionals have experimented with large number of distros. So if you're looking to test drive a new OS to take advantage of it's light weigh/debloat and speed up your system, just make a choice depending on where you are and what you're looking for out of the box. It makes little difference really, it's mostly the drive e.g. POP_!OS attracts creators. If you begin to have trouble doing something, or some issued are not easy to resolve even with community, then just look up the distro community that solves your issues better - that's why there're so many distros, everyone needs different branches of functionality more in depth.
Technically Linux distros are the same across the board, the only difference is what they have and what their icons and start menu look like. The distro is more of a fashion statement in the PC world rather than major functionality difference, as you can often install what you need. The most that I've seen that makes real difference is the CPU and GPU which require specific support. For older hardware just about any distro should do, newer PCs is where most get caught. e.g. Steam OS (not available for PCs at the moment) mostly supports AMD, while Intel is buggy. So in some cases latest support is more crucial than other features. If you're running system components from before 2023-2024, distros become just a preference of overall feel because hardware support is mostly polished.
If you're new and looking to install Linux on your laptop, then Ubuntu or Mint is likely the best option. If your laptop has something like a fingerprint reader, on Fedora you will need to install it manually, which is not difficult, but not beginner friendly introduction to new OS when your laptop doesn't function in it's entirety, or you may even think OS is not good because it "doesn't have it" and requires tinkering which can take down your new system.
Every computer guy came across tutorials that have at least one questionable directory that prevents you going through the manual installation steps. A folder doesn't exist, or something is in different directory, or you got jdk mixed up with jde. So as a rule it's best to have preconfigured/preinstalled software. That's where "if it's not broken, don't fix it" applies.
So yeah, after using mostly windows, it's not something that wants to provide users with personal choices, the biggest dealbreaker is disregard for privacy that tips users over into Linux. What holds Linux distros is different universe that requires new adaptation by the users or even abandonment of existing software and learning alternatives.
Due to windows being for profit, they're maximizing where they can.
So far in windows we've seen:
- MS Store Ads in start menu e.g. candycrush
- "Settings" that supposed to replace Control Panel, does half of what you need.
- MS account requirement for their software
- OneDrive moving your files and uploading it like it owns it creating duplicate directories that you realise only later on that you need to undo
- Then account requirement to start using new PC/laptop
- Bing Wallpaper - could've been made 20 years earlier, with perfect wallpaper views, come June pride - your PC automatically flying flag colours of "minor attracted people"
- Edge - same as Bing wallpaper - an update shows you a "brand new theme to celebrate a spectrum of identities". Such manipulation and influence to use common computer for ideology is likely when the Edge use tanked.
- Preloading of Defender, XBox stuff for some reason, Edge that went from clean and fast to "reward bloatware" copilot, picture viewer, video player, phone connect
- MS Office - subscription only with pretty much discontinued support for offline use
- Right click context menu "loading...", important options hidden under "view more".
Today, in Windows 11, it can take most modern computers with 12 cores and 16GB RAM to open notepad/calculator/task manager or most times even file explorer a few seconds to open.
Windows 7 - as if remastered Win XP, was the last best version we got to use as telemetry started taking off. Vista (before Win 7 ) - bloat test. Win 8 - no comment. Win 10 - testing all the boundaries. Win 11 - breaking all of them.
Microsoft seems to have announced it's K2 project that debloats itself, but at this stage some things are "standard" that you still won't have control over. Definitely excessive telemetry, account linking and user device tracking are there to stay, features of Win 11 with performance of Linux is what they will primarily go for - this version is better for the users and fast, so users won't mind few things staying. So will be worth trying, but it's to keep users, not to exclude what users don't like. All those additions are still part of their explanation to major investors as positive progress and growth.
Microsoft made a promise that Win 10 would be the last OS. They missed out on a massive opportunity to optimize then create good software, e.g. take on Adobe to make alternative software for users, because rotating a PDF shouldn't cost you $20. Mac understood the assignment. Windows relied on purchase of new OS by PC manufacturers and datacentres. We saw attempts with some software, but they went after media e.g. half functioning video player, which has the best functioning free alternative - VLC. It's apparent that their software is supposed to work with OneDrive and cloud storage type of deal.
"We made it better for you even though you didn't ask for it" model doesn't work.
All in all, the space for user choice is splitting and as a user worth considering choices between Win/Linux/iOS for everyday user.
- Windows - needs to listen to the users
- Linux - needs a breakthrough for software independence and large use
- iOS - works if your pocket does.
RE: Windows/Linux - PC OS battle - BoxPressured - 07-14-2026
Talking about Windows, disabling Smartscreen in settings doesn't disable it. An app made for security, which is disabled, still runs. It seems that the privacy related options are a gimmick and are there for "compliance".
Also "Resource monitor" that shows internet connections and traffic was hidden in Windows 11 task manager.
On that note, while PC is idle it does all the "maintenance" stuff. So walking away for few minutes begins all sorts of processes. Mostly to keep the system functioning and get updates, but also a lot of data chatter which are definitely non-essential for the system.