You Don't Have To Run Windows On Your PC

Updated: 06-Jun-2022

You know how, when you buy a computer, it comes with Windows or Chrome OS, when you go to the Apple store to buy a Mac it comes with macOS, and when you buy a phone it comes with something else. Those are all operating systems. An operating system (OS) is the core software that runs your computer.

You may know that the majority of computers sold to consumers today include the Microsoft Windows operating system. What you may not know is that running the software that comes bundled with your computer is a bad idea. We're not just talking about the "trialware" and "crapware" Windows applications that you'll find "offered" to you after you've finished setting up your computer for the first time. We're talking about the operating system itself. That’s right, you don't have to run any software from Microsoft or for Windows on your computer, including Windows itself!

Why would you want to settle for any software that comes bundled "at no charge" with your computer hardware?

Think about it. Your PC's operating system is not full-featured computer software. It's the minimum viable software that the computer manufacturer can bundle for free with their computer hardware. It's the lowest "total cost of manufacturing" for the hardware manufacturer that lets them make the most profit from you. Windows provides the fewest features necessary to make your computer just functional enough to start up. Then you need to buy more software to get your actual work done. Microsoft's patches keep Windows just secure enough to keep you online so they can market additional software to you. Then they want to sell you more software to make your computer actually safe enough and functional enough to use for your own purposes.

I know what you're thinking: "But wait, Windows isn't free. If I buy Windows online, it costs me hundreds of dollars!" That's right. It's Microsoft making money directly from you - on top of what they've already made from the computer manufacturer. They're double-dipping. They've already made money from the computer manufacturer that licenses Windows for the computer in the first place. But you don't have to run Windows on your PC – and you shouldn't. You don't have to run any software from Microsoft to get your work or your personal computing done. In fact, you may be better off if you don't!

What's the alternative?

Linux is an operating system that comes pre-installed with certain models of computers you can buy from companies like Lenovo, Dell (XPS Developer Edition), HP (DevOne), System76, Entroware, or OpenSourcePC. But you can also install it on computers designed for Windows, Chrome, and macOS as well. As an example, we'll look at Ubuntu MATE. Ubuntu MATE is a distribution (variation or flavor) of the Linux operating system that is designed for the beginner, average, and advanced computer user alike. Ubuntu MATE is an operating system that you'll find is more similar to than different from Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS, and Google Chrome OS - at least in the way you use it as an operating system.

If you are new to Ubuntu MATE, or only casually acquainted with Linux-based distributions, it can take very little effort to understand how Ubuntu MATE compares with other computer systems that you may already use. For example, when you open an Ubuntu MATE computer for the first time, it will walk you through the initial setup, just like macOS or Windows, and immediately give you access to an Internet browser, and other software you need to use to get things done. A big difference is that you don't get the bloatware that is usually associated with consumer-grade Windows.

If you want to dig deeper into what Ubuntu MATE can offer you, in addition to continuing to listen to episodes of the Going Linux podcast, I’ve written two books to help introduce Ubuntu MATE Linux to new-comers and provide a how-to guide for everyone. The link in the shownotes will take you to a page that details how to get print, PDF and ebook versions.

Pre-Configured Yet Flexible

Ubuntu MATE Linux is a supported and official "flavor" of Ubuntu, the most widely deployed Linux-based desktop operating system in the world. Ubuntu, pronounced oŏ'boŏntoō, is developed by Canonical, Ltd. and you can get it in a number of different flavors, each coming with its own desktop environment. As the name suggests, Ubuntu MATE provides you with the MATE Desktop for Linux along with the Ubuntu base operating system. Another difference from Windows is that Ubuntu MATE isn't just minimum viable software. It comes pre-configured with fully-licensed copies of applications that most computer users will find useful.

Using Ubuntu MATE provides you with the freedom to run a complete, full-featured operating system, pre-configured with most, if not all, of the applications you will need for your daily computing. Or you can change anything about the way it looks, the way it works, or the applications it runs to suit your taste.

Ubuntu MATE is pre-installed with the expected utilities such as: File Browser, Text Editor, Calculator, and applications that let you configure and tweak system settings.

It also comes with some unexpected utilities such as:

• Compressed (Zip) File Manager
• PDF Creation and Viewing software
• Disk Usage Analyzer
• System Monitor
• An uncomplicated firewall
• An easy-to-use backup utility
• and a full suite of Accessibility software applications

Productivity and Document Management Applications:

• Your choice of Web Browsers
• A full Office Suite
• Email, Calendar and Contact suite
• Photo Management software

Entertainment Applications:

Ubuntu MATE also comes with software to listen to your music collection and to watch and listen to streaming media.

Built-In Security

Ubuntu MATE is designed with security in mind. Unlike operating systems that update only once a month, Ubuntu MATE keeps you safe and secure by receiving updates continuously.

The easy updates include security patches for Ubuntu MATE and all of its components. Security updates for its installed applications are also provided on the same schedule. This ensures that you have the latest protection for all of your computer's software as soon as it's available and for as long as you keep it up to date!

Modern And Full-Featured

When you try Ubuntu MATE, you'll find that it is a free, full-featured, and modern computer operating system, with an attractive and easy to understand user interface. Its update manager keeps both the operating system itself and all of its installed applications updated to the most current, most secure release. Ubuntu MATE is more secure and better-supported than operating systems that come pre-installed on most personal computer hardware today. With modest hardware requirements, Ubuntu MATE is suitable for modern workstations and laptops, single board computers, and older hardware alike. Ubuntu MATE makes modern computers fast and old computers usable.

Summary

The awareness, popularity, and use of Linux has been increasing steadily. Once you become aware that there is dependable, secure, capable, and modern software to run your computer that rivals all others, you will want to apply what you already know about using computers and try the Linux operating system.

You may already be using a member of the Unix/Linux family: Linux, Android, ChromeOS, BSD, Azure Sphere, or even macOS. If so, you are likely looking for new ways to optimize this technology for the way you work.

While we often recommend Ubuntu MATE for users who have migrated from Windows, macOS, or ChromeOS, it is also an excellent choice for any kind of computer user, from casual home user to professional software developer.

That's because of its beautiful, modern, and functionally thought-out design. Ubuntu MATE is capable enough for even the most experienced computer user because, well, it's Linux! It has the power of every other Linux distribution built-in.

Simply put, it provides a powerful and practical alternative to other software that can run on your computer. You don't have to settle for the minimally useful operating system that comes bundled "at no charge" with your computer hardware!