Windows operating system is made by Microsoft and it has released many versions. The most famous and used version of Microsoft Windows is windows 7. The first operating system (OS) which was developed by Microsoft was MS-DOS. MS-DOS was a simple OS and has a command line interface. The new version of Microsoft OS has also MS-DOS build-in as a utility. MS-DOS is still used in doing some common tasks like creating files, folders, installing plugins in some software, using GIT and other uses as well.
After Windows 7, Microsoft launched Windows 8. Windows 8 was not that much success because of the new interface and missing the start menu. In the next release of Windows 10, the company again added start menu which was missing in windows 8. Start menu in Windows 10 is a combination of Windows 7 and a little touch of windows 8.
In Windows 10, Cortana which is a quick search tool was introduced. Cortana still has some bugs which need to be fixed. Cortana is inspired by google voice search. You can voice search in windows 10 by Cortana. This search engine stores lots of data of people and it make the high load on the system. You can optionally turn off the Cortana if you do not like to use it.
Now let me discuss the advantages and disadvantages of windows operating system.
Advantages of windows operating system
Support for all hardware: As windows OS is used by 72% of users so most of the hardware vendors make drivers for windows.
Ease of use: All versions of Microsoft Windows have something common in it which makes users easy to shift from one version to another. Windows 7 users have no difficulty in migrating to Windows 10 because most of the features of Windows 10 are the same as windows 7. The user interface of windows is also easy to use than UNIX and MAC.
Software support: Windows platform is best suited for game and software developers. Windows have large number audience so developers prefer to make utilities, games and software for windows OS. Linux users cannot make windows apps so it is better to use windows for developing apps.
Plug and play feature: Most hardware can be detected automatically by plug and play feature. You do not need to manually install the hardware but it is ready to use when attached e.g. webcam, keyboard, mouse, mobile device etc.
Desktop and touch screen: Windows 10 is made for both touch screen devices and desktop computers. The user interface of Windows 10 is made in such a way that it works better for any type of windows device.
Disadvantages of Windows operating system
Virus attacks: Windows have a high amount of hacker attacks. The hackers can easily break windows security. So windows users are dependent on anti-virus software and have to pay monthly charges to companies to protect their data. Also, windows users have to update OS to keep up-to-date with security patches.
Most of the software is paid: Most windows programs are paid e.g. games, graphics software (Photoshop), download manager (IDM) and other popular software are paid. You have to buy these software or pay a monthly fee to use them.
Rebooting a system: If your system becomes slow in performance then you have to reboot it. If you load many programs at the same time then your system slows down and hangs up. The only solution for this is to reboot.
High price: Linux OS is open source and is free to use for everyone but windows OS has paid license and you cannot use windows OS legally free. The cost of buying a copy of windows OS is high as well. You also need to buy other Microsoft software e.g. MS Office to do regular office work on the computer.
High computer resources: If you are installing windows OS then your computer should have high ram capacity, a lot of hard drive space and good graphics card. This is because of features that are used in windows. If you want to install graphics software i.e. Photoshop then 16 GB of ram is recommended.
Technical support: Windows support is not good for most users. Only some large organizations can get good support from the windows team. Common users have to search for forums to get their problem solved.
Examples of windows operating system:
Some examples of windows operating system are below:
- Windows 95
- Windows 98
- Windows XP
- Windows vista
- Windows 7
- Windows 8
- Windows 10
- Windows 11
Also check:
- Advantages and disadvantages of Linux operating system
- Advantages and disadvantages of macOS
- Advantages and disadvantages of UNIX operating system
- Advantages and disadvantages of Chrome operating system
