With the release of Windows 95 on July 14, 1995, Microsoft gained market dominance over other computer operating systems. This dominance continued into the 2000s and 2010s with the releases of popular operating systems like Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10.

Furthermore, Microsoft’s corruption, although still bad in the past, has only gotten worse in recent years, following the release of Windows 11.

While Microsoft Windows is close sourced, other operating systems like Fedora or Arch, which are based on the Linux operating system, are open sourced. This means that the code for the systems are able to be seen and edited, providing transparency and data privacy to the user.

The issue with Windows being close sourced is that consumers cannot see the code of the system, meaning that users cannot inspect how the system works or validate the system works as it claims. This means that users have to completely rely on Microsoft’s claims on how Windows functions, which becomes especially concerning when consumers are meant to trust Microsoft with their data and security.

Another major issue with Microsoft Windows is their large amounts of data collection when using their services.

According to Microsoft’s Privacy Statement, Microsoft collects data through interactions and experiences with Microsoft products, which they then use to advertise and market, through sending promotional communications, personalized advertising, and presenting relevant offers.

While Linux-based operating systems either do not participate in data collection, or participate in strictly opt-in data collection, Microsoft practices certain types of data collection that can only be extremely difficult to nullify. For example, Microsoft uses services like Location tracking and advertising ID, which is the identifier assigned to a device to enable advertising services, to share personalized advertisements.

“Windows is more than just an operating system. Windows is a way of life to some degree, and more specifically it’s Microsoft’s way of life, and you’d better like to live the way they tell you to live, or else,” Linux creator Linus Torvalds said in a 2001 interview with NPR.

Torvalds’ words highlight the difference between the principles of Microsoft and the open-source community. While Microsoft views their operating system as a way to generate revenue through forced interactions, the open-source community’s goal is to create the best experience for users. One side effect of Windows’s prioritization of commerce over user empowerment is the decline in compatibility for lower end computers.

Windows computers are typically recommended to have 16 gigabytes of random access memory (RAM). RAM is the temporary workspace that computers use to run Windows, browser tabs and applications while the computer is turned on.

To provide context, the average 16 gigabyte (GB) of the most recent generation of RAM is around $296, according to price trackers like Pangoly. This price has skyrocketed in recent years because of the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), of which Microsoft has been a leading part of through AI services like Copilot.

“A single AI server can use as much advanced memory as a dozen or even hundreds of traditional laptops. So when hyperscalers, known as massive cloud computing providers, build thousands or tens of thousands of these systems at once, they basically absorb a large fraction of global memory production,” said electrical and computer engineering professor Matteo Rinaldi in a Northeastern University interview.

People who cannot afford to spend hundreds of dollars on a high-end PC or laptop are forced to stick with an outdated system or abandon using a computer in general.

What makes this more devastating for everyday users is Windows’ refusal to make lighter software. Instead of prioritizing optimization, Windows packs their operating system with AI tools like Copilot and pre-installed software that clutters your computer, which is also known as “bloatware,” while also consuming several gigabytes of RAM just while idling.

By doing this, Windows practically locks out budget-friendly users from using their software. While Windows requires higher GB amounts of RAM to run smoothly, most distributions of Linux recommend only 4-8 GB of RAM, without coming with pre-installed bloatware, which is much easier on lower-end computers.

The misconduct and unreasonable requirements of Microsoft Windows should not be ignored. It is evident that Microsoft is failing its users and raising concerns about user safety by collecting data. By switching to a different operating system, people can practice online safety while having an accessible experience.

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