Linux vs. Windows: What's the difference in 2025?

Linux vs. Windows: A 2025 Comparison

Thinking about switching from macOS or Windows? Linux might be the answer. While macOS users will find a relatively smooth transition (due to macOS's UNIX core), Windows users will need to adapt. This guide highlights key differences between Linux and Windows.

File Systems: A Fundamental Difference

Windows organizes files across separate data drives (C:, D:, E:, etc.). Linux employs a hierarchical tree structure, starting from the root directory ("/"), branching into subdirectories.

Key Distinctions:

• Open Source vs. Proprietary: Linux, being open-source, allows modification of its source code. Windows, a commercial OS, lacks this accessibility.
• Security: Linux's robust security simplifies bug detection and patching. Windows' vast user base makes it a larger target for hackers.
• Performance: Linux generally boasts superior speed, especially on older hardware.
• Peripherals: Windows treats printers, CD-ROMs, and hard drives as devices. Linux considers them files.
• File Organization: Windows uses drives and folders; Linux uses a tree-structured root directory.
• File Naming: Linux allows two files with the same name in the same directory (differentiated by case), while Windows does not.
• Program/System Files: Windows typically stores these on the C: drive; Linux distributes them across various directories.

Understanding Linux File Types: Everything's a File

In Linux (and UNIX), everything is a file: keyboard, mouse, printer, files, and directories.

• General Files: These contain text, programs, videos, images, etc., in either binary or ASCII format.
• Directory Files: These act as containers for other files and can have subdirectories. Similar to folders in Windows.
• Device Files: Represent hardware like hard drives, CD-ROMs, and printers. In Linux, these are located under the /dev/ directory (e.g., /dev/sda1, /dev/sda2).

User Accounts: A Comparison

Linux offers three user types:

• Regular Users: Standard accounts created during installation. Home directories are located in /home/. Access is restricted to their own directories.
• Administrative (Root) Users: A superuser account with full system access for software installation and system modifications.
• Service Users: Dedicated accounts for services like Apache or Squid, enhancing security. Not visible in desktop versions like Ubuntu.

Windows user account types include: Administrator, Standard, Child, and Guest.

File Naming Conventions

Windows prohibits two files with the same name in the same folder. Linux allows this, differentiating files based on case (e.g., "SAMPLE" and "sample" are distinct).

Home Directories

Linux creates a /home/username directory for each user. Access is restricted to the user's own home directory. This is analogous to "My Documents" in Windows. The user's home directory is the default working directory upon login.

Other Directories

Windows typically stores program and system files on the C: drive. Linux uses /boot for boot files and /bin and /dev for software and device files, respectively. (A diagram illustrating key Linux directories would be beneficial here.)

Summary Table: Windows vs. Linux

Feature	Windows	Linux
File System	Separate data drives (C:, D:, E:)	Hierarchical tree structure (root "/")
Peripherals	Devices	Files
File Naming	Case-insensitive	Case-sensitive
User Types	Administrator, Standard, Child, Guest	Regular, Root, Service
Home Directory	My Documents	/home/username
Program Files	Typically C: drive	Distributed across various directories

This comparison highlights the core differences. Further tutorials will delve into more nuanced aspects of the transition from Windows to Linux.

The above is the detailed content of Linux vs. Windows: What's the difference in 2025?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!