Windows 10 is a great operating system. As the latest version of Microsoft’s flagship product, it is the most popular operating system globally, across home and business users.
That doesn’t mean it is the best option for you, though. You may have heard about the Linux operating system, Ubuntu. If you haven’t tried it, you may be missing out on some excellent features.
Here are all the things that Ubuntu does better than Windows.
1. Updates
Just as you sit down to work at your Windows PC, you get a popup asking you to update Windows. After the update manager has downloaded the large files required, you must reboot the computer. In previous editions, you were able to choose when to restart your computer.
However, Microsoft decided that Windows 10 will determine for you, randomly rebooting your computer when you least expect it. Just as you’ve got back up and running, you open your favorite software, and another popup appears, asking you to update the software before you can use it.
This situation occurs because Windows, and macOS, handles operating system and application updates separately. Windows Update focuses primarily on critical infrastructure updates, leaving the apps to request manual updates when needed.
Ubuntu takes a different approach. Installations and updates are managed via repositories. Instead of downloading the application from the developer’s website, the repositories contain the software packaged for your edition of Ubuntu. Using these repositories, the Software Updater can notify you of pending updates.
It’s not just application updates that are handled in this way; operating system updates are bundled into the Software Updater as well. This makes it a single destination to manage all your updates, which is far simpler than the per-app basis found on Windows 10.
2. Computer Security
If you’ve ever used a Windows PC, you’ll know you need antivirus software. Windows has long been the target of malware, scammers, and viruses. Part of this is due to its ubiquity—it’s much easier to write malicious software for the most popular operating system.
However, this is also due to how Windows 10 handles security. There’s no getting away from the fact that Ubuntu is more secure than Windows. User accounts in Ubuntu have fewer system-wide permissions by default than in Windows.
This means that if you want to make a change to the system, like installing an application, you need to enter your password to do it. In Windows, you don’t. This makes it much more challenging to execute malware or a virus inside Ubuntu. Microsoft has introduced the User Account Control (UAC), which performs a similar function, though.
Despite these critical differences, Linux isn’t immune to viruses; they are just less likely. You should still browse the web safely, visit reputable sites, and be careful. If you’re after peace of mind, consider installing one of the best free Linux antivirus programs.
3. Customization
Microsoft restricts the amount of customization you can do its operating system. While Windows 10 is the most customizable edition yet, it’s still nowhere near the levels seen on Ubuntu.
If you’ve used, or at least seen, older versions of Ubuntu, you may be put off by the now-dated appearance. Fortunately, recent releases have brought the system up to modern standards.
Still, if the look of the default Ubuntu set up doesn’t work for you, there are ways to make your Linux desktop look fantastic. And, if you miss the feel of Windows, you can even make Linux look like Windows 10.
4. System Resources
Ubuntu is one of the best options to revive older hardware. If your computer is feeling sluggish, and you don’t want to upgrade to a new machine, installing Linux may be the solution.
Windows 10 is a feature-packed operating system, but you probably don’t need or use all of the functionality baked into the software. However, the capability is still there, and it drains resources from your primary tasks.
Ubuntu isn’t the only lightweight Linux distribution that can give your old PC new life, but it is among the most popular and stable. During the installation, you can either choose standard or minimal setups, further decreasing the size and resource requirement.
Many background processes are running in Windows, as well, and it isn’t an easy task to control them. This is in contrast to Ubuntu, where the entire operating system is designed for your input. This underpins the Linux mentality that your computer is yours, and it should be up to you to decide how it runs.
5. Live Environment
If you haven’t used Windows before and decide you want to give it a try, you have to commit to installing it on your machine beforehand. That could lead to problems such as data loss if you later decide you don’t like Windows. That’s not the case in Ubuntu.
In Ubuntu, you can burn the image to a CD or write it to a USB stick and boot it up straight from that media. This is a fully working version of the operating system, which means you can try every aspect of Ubuntu without having to commit to installing it on your hard drive.
Don’t like it? No problem; just reboot your machine, and you will be back on your previous operating system as if nothing had ever happened. This feature isn’t unique to Ubuntu; you can install these Linux distros on a USB stick, too.
6. Software
One of the main reasons people give for sticking with Windows is software. Indeed, most Windows programs you use regularly aren’t readily available on Ubuntu, or any Linux distro. So, how does Ubuntu do software better than Windows 10?
The simple answer is that most Linux software is open-source. By switching to Ubuntu, you open up a world of Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS). When you boot up for the first time, you won’t find Microsoft Office, but you will have access to Libre Office instead.
The same is true of most of your favorite software. While some apps are available via the Snap Store or as downloadable DEB packages, you’ll be on the hunt for alternatives. Ubuntu itself even comes preinstalled with stock editions of everyday applications.
Whether you find this a positive very much depends on your outlook overall. However, if you are considering a switch to Ubuntu, you likely are already interested in FOSS and would be open to switching to other alternatives, too.
7. It’s Free
Unlike Microsoft’s operating system, Ubuntu is entirely free. This not only saves you money on a Windows license but also means you can save money on new hardware, too, by opting to forgo Windows preinstallations. You may, however, object that Windows 10 is also free.
While Microsoft initially offered free downloads of Windows 10, the window of opportunity was limited and has now expired. Yes, there are some ways to get Windows 10 for free or cheap, but they are limited. Ubuntu has always been and will always be free. For comparison, the entry-level Windows 10 Home costs $139.
That is a lot of money, especially if you are looking for an operating system to revive older hardware. Ubuntu is the most budget-friendly choice. If you value the software and have a bit to spare, you could always consider donating to the Ubuntu project via their donations website.
Windows vs. Ubuntu: Which Do You Prefer?
Overall, both Windows 10 and Ubuntu are fantastic operating systems, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, and it’s great that we have the choice. Windows has always been the default operating system of choice, but there are plenty of reasons to consider a switch to Ubuntu, too.
If you’re backed up and ready to make the change, then it’s time to install Ubuntu on your computer using a USB flash drive.
Read the full article: 7 Things That Ubuntu Does Better Than Windows
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