What is the MAIN Reason You Use Windows Instead of Linux

Title says it all. What is the main reason you continue to use Windows instead of Linux. Mine is game support. I like the latest AAA titles and they are not supported by Linux.

 

Games and habit I guess.
I'm a Windows user since 3.1.

 

I guess it's won't work on my current hardware, but that's only for a few non-essential components... Maybe if I view Linux as far better than Windows, but currently there's not that much difference. Of course habit comes into play as well.

 

Should've been multiple choice poll. I would voted for at least half of the options.

 

Doesn't support a majority of the video games and other commercial programs
most of the games available on linux are older and much smaller in number.

 

because the PC I use it's not mine but given to me by my employer.

 

There is no MAIN reason for me, it's a lot of small reasons that add up, most of your poll choices + some more.

 

very limited software support.
requires programming skills.
doesnt have easy to use extension/mechanism to save and install apps like EXE in windows.
hardware drivers are hard to find and many hardwares are not even supported.worst thing about driver crisis on linux is the fact that nVidia and ATI dont release up-to-date and as functional as windows drivers for linux.

basically linux is that 1 kid on the block who doesnt wanna play as a team so he/she ends up alone.

 

Very limited commercial software support, for those who can't learn alternatives.
Outdated, and false for desktop Linux.
Guess you've never heard of repositories, app stores, DEB, RPM, etc.
Only valid point, but still overblown. You'd only find serious problems with exotic hardware and the latest moneymaker that needs Windows support first.

LOL, wrong analogy. Windows is the rich kid everyone follows, for money. Linux is a team by itself, but stuck in the minor league for desktops. They're dominating in other sports like servers and mobile.

 

No extra time to spend in learning linux and taking the hassle of making it work. Windows works and that's what matters to me.

 

I didn't vote. I have no doubt that Linux is a very good OS these days. Although that's something I could not say years ago when I first tried Linux - it was a terrible then in my opinion.

I currently only use Windows as some software I use e.g. DJ software will only run under Windows. Also by continually using Windows and installing and uninstalling software and fixing any problems which arise myself increases my knowledge of fixing Windows problems which is a big help when I fix computer problems for others.

I am not interested in running Linux alongside Windows as dual boot setup as I prefer to reboot absolutely as little as possible, so switching between Windows and Linux would be a hassle for me.

However I may consider installing Linux on a secondary laptop.

 

Last option is odd as open source is not specific to Linux.

 

Mention Linux to an average computer computer, and most have no idea what you're talking about. They know of Windows, and probably OS-X, the Mac operating system.

 

I'm exploring various Linux distros only for an alternative should XP become unsupported to the degree that most software will no longer run on it.

I don't want to learn a new OS but will as opposed to running Vista, W-7, or W-8. I own Vista Ultimate and refuse to purchase another operating system that I don't like.
Mac represents an even worse option in that entails the expense of new hardware and software.
To be sure, Linux has it's drawbacks but at least those come without the additional grief of buying them.

 

Ditto that.

 

just because i loathe apple. so i feel the need to support ms w/ my $ bills

 

" Too difficult to use/understand, don't want to learn a new OS ". Actually, I used Linux, Ubuntu or Mint, as second OS, and I will use it again. Many distro, as these, are not difficult for a common use. But there are many other operations that are not so easy and you had to study for them. The same to configure deeply a firewall or an IDS.

 

I use tax software that I prefer installed instead of filing online and linux does not support any that I know of. Also, the distros I have tried do not work well on my old hardware except Puppy.

 

No multiple choice poll? >=V

The games installed in my computer are Windows exclusive, the programs I daily use are also Windows exclusive (except some). Wine won't emulate them properly, and I'm not interested to spend my time to look for half-faced alternatives while the ones I'm currently using work perfectly. And call me crazy, but I prefer walled garden.

 

The main reason why I still use Windows is that I haven't bought a Mac yet

 

I voted "too many distros... etc" but wanted to hit a few other options. I think the reason why I don't go linux is that every time I do, it feels like I'm compromising. I think Win is just more polished overall, and obviously more familiar, although I know linux pretty well too after all these years. In a nutshell, I wish someone would focus on just one or two distros and put a lot of money into development and quality control, just like the Mac and Win has had. If that were done, I'm sure linux market share would skyrocket compared to what it is now.

 

Yeah, Linux has too many distros out there. They need some sort of flagship distros. People just don't know where to start when they wanted to try Linux.

 

I use Linux. I have recently switched from Windows. There are few things to consider:
- no worries about viruses because yeah you gonna be the only kid on the block
- steam for gaming or get PS3 for $199
- open source feels much better on linux than windows
- I run windows xp on virtual machine for the odd software that doesn't run on linux

 

Hey everyone. The reason I didn't allow multiple-choice is because almost all of these would apply to most of you, so I just wanted to find the main one.

 

I'm using Windows and I'm not worried about viruses. Not every games come from Steam, and some games don't have the console version. And the third one in your list doesn't make any sense at all.

But Brandonn, we have multiple main reasons.