There are very good reasons people run Windows rather than change to Linux:

1. It's what their employer or school has taught them and they don't want/need to learn another OperatingSystem.1?
2. Games, which often only run on windows (FirstPersonShooters usually being the exception)
3. Even though Windows has a cost, they already have it. Changing to Linux can cost far more than upgrading.2?
4. They need to run an application written for Windows that is not portable; commonly specialist (often Proprietary) applications.3?
5. Some hardware (mostly the very latest stuff) will only work under Windows. Hardware manufacturers usually do not provide drivers for other operating systems. (Although this is changing)

See also IssuesWithWindows and WellThoughtOutReasonsToRunLinux

AddToMe

1? This is the reason why Microsoft and Apple (used to?) provide free computers to schools. They know that that first 'exposure' in school to their product(s) can guarantee future customers. 2? That is debatable :D 3? Example: I have seen a very large number of accounting packages that appear to have been 'slapped together' in VisualBasic/VisualC++. They will obviously only work under Windows. The companies that produce these packages (in my experience) never provide Unix versions of their software. Once a business has purchased such an accounting package and has used it for a few years, the business will effectively have been 'locked' into using Windows - MarcelVanDeSteeg

CategoryPolitics