Ever wondered what you’re missing by sticking to Windows and not trying out Linux? As a dual booter, I jump between Linux and Windows every day, and I find Linux far more feature-rich compared to Windows.
I use Linux for my personal projects and Windows for my professional responsibilities. This puts me in a unique position where I get to do the same tasks in two different ways—and, from my personal experience, I find the Linux way superior. Here are the seven reasons why!
A clean and ad-free operating system
This might be Windows 11’s most ridiculous problem
Windows 11 has ads enabled by default. There are random app suggestions in the Start Menu, Office 365 and OneDrive promotions in the Settings, and promotional text on the lock screen. And while you can disable most Windows 11 ads, it’s not a very intuitive and straightforward process.
Linux distributions, by contrast, offer a clean, distraction-free environment right out of the box. When I open the application menu on my Garuda Linux setup, I see only what I’ve installed—no promoted apps, no sponsored content, just my tools arranged how I want them. This ad-free experience gives me a clean interface that not only helps me avoid accidental clicks and focus on my work but also gives me a greater sense of ownership over my computing experience.
The irony is that I paid for Windows, while most Linux distros are free. Yet, it’s the free option that treats me with more respect by not trying to sell me something every few clicks.
Full control over the Taskbar
Something that Windows could do decades ago
Windows 11’s taskbar is a significant step back from Windows 10 in terms of customization. For reasons I cannot fathom, Microsoft removed the ability to move the taskbar to different edges of the screen (although this problem is finally being addressed). If you prefer your taskbar to the sides (as many ultrawide monitor users do), you’re simply out of luck.
On Linux, I can position the taskbar anywhere—top, bottom, left, or right. In some desktop environments like KDE Plasma, I can even have multiple panels in different locations serving different functions. My personal setup has a thin panel at the top for system information and one at the bottom for applications—functioning as a Dock.
Furthermore, it’s not just limited to the position of the taskbar. I also have control over every aspect of the taskbar—its size, transparency, behavior, contents, and even how it responds when I hover over different elements. This level of customization allows me to create a workflow that perfectly matches how I want to interact with my computer.
With Windows 11, you can technically get this level of control, but you need to make a lot of tweaks and edits, making the process harder than it needs to be.
Advanced virtual desktop configurations
Virtual desktops help organize workflows by creating separate spaces for different tasks. While Windows 11’s virtual desktop functionality has improved compared to earlier versions, it still falls short of what Linux offers.
For instance, GNOME has the Activities Overview feature which puts virtual desktops (called Workspaces) front and center of the whole user experience. It provides a comprehensive view of all windows open on all your current virtual desktops. You can also open new virtual desktops, move apps between them, and launch apps onto specific virtual desktops. You not only get a bird’s-eye view of your entire workflow, but a quick way to make tweaks on the fly.
Then you have KDE Plasma. It doesn’t give you an Activities Overview, but it allows you to arrange virtual desktops in a grid layout. You can have desktops arranged both horizontally and vertically, creating a matrix of virtual desktops for different categories of tasks. You can also scroll on the desktop itself to cycle between spaces, or use a dedicated widget (Pager widget) for smooth transitions between desktops.
These advanced configurations make task switching and workspace organization far more intuitive in Linux, and I find myself reaching for these features in futility when using Windows 11.
KDE Activities: Multitasking on steroids
The Windows workflow doesn’t work for me anymore
KDE Activities is perhaps the most powerful workflow management tool I’ve encountered in any operating system, and it’s something I sorely miss when using Windows.
Activities are like virtual desktops on steroids. Each Activity can have its own set of desktop widgets, wallpapers, panel configurations, and even different sets of default applications. You can create separate Activities for writing, programming, and gaming, each with tools and layouts optimized for that specific task.
I personally have three separate Activities for Research, Writing, and Team Communications. This allows me to focus on one workflow at a time and minimizes the scope for distractions.
Now, on Windows 11, the closest you can get to KDE Activities is by setting up different Windows user accounts for different workflows. But this adds a lot of friction between switching workflows. In the case of KDE Plasma, switching Activities is as simple as switching desktop environments.
Why does Windows do widgets so poorly?
Widgets are incredibly useful tools for monitoring system information, checking calendar appointments, or keeping track of to-do lists—all at a glance. Windows 11 does have widgets, but they’re tucked away inside a separate panel that you need to click to access, making them far less useful than they could be.
On Linux, particularly with KDE Plasma, I can place widgets directly on my desktop or embed them in panels. I have widgets to show my to-do list, calendar, Downloads folder, and system resources right on the desktop. Whereas my panel always has widgets to show the weather, clipboard manager, and virtual desktop switcher.
This immediate access to information saves countless clicks throughout the day and keeps important information visible without having to switch applications or open menus. It’s a small thing that makes a big difference in day-to-day productivity.
If you want, you can add widgets to Windows using Rainmeter.
Lower resource consumption
Linux makes a mid-range PC feel high-end
Regardless of what Windows 11’s minimum system requirements say, in my experience, a Windows PC needs at least a quad-core CPU, 16 GB RAM, and an SSD to perform smoothly. Give half this configuration to a Linux distro and it will fly!
I have successfully run Ubuntu off an HDD on a dual-core system using 8 GB RAM and still got a smooth computing experience! And that’s Ubuntu, one of the heavier Linux distros. There are distros like Lubuntu or Linux Mint Xfce that can breathe life into systems with specs that Windows 11 will refuse to even entertain.
Additionally, Linux installations typically require less storage space. A full-featured Linux desktop can comfortably fit in 20 GB, while Windows 11 needs substantially more just for the operating system. This efficiency means more resources are available for the work I’m actually doing, rather than being consumed by the operating system.
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A better terminal experience
Windows keeps neglecting power users
Not everyone uses the terminal, and you don’t even need to know how to use the terminal in order to use modern-day Linux desktops. That said, the terminal is a powerful tool and if you know how to use it, you can get around your computer far more efficiently.
I myself am currently learning different terminal commands and shell scripting to become more productive with my computer, and I’ve found the Linux terminal is far more powerful and user-friendly compared to the Windows terminal.
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The first thing that comes to mind is that the Linux terminal outputs are much easier to read and understand compared to what I get on Windows. Furthermore, Linux allows me to string multiple commands together, which is an extremely productive way to do certain tasks.
I guess it makes sense when you factor in that the Linux terminal was designed with everyday use in mind, while the Windows terminal was put in place for occasional troubleshooting.
Linux doesn’t beat Windows at everything, but I still prefer it
And there you have it, seven cool features that you get on free Linux distros but not on Microsoft’s premium OS. That said, in all fairness, I can’t call Linux perfect either, or else I wouldn’t be dual booting.
The reason I need to use Windows 11 is to access some professional apps, mainly Rize, Asana, and the Notion Calendar among others. That said, I can still access these Windows apps (albeit as web apps) on Linux. However, the features I mentioned are just not available on Windows—giving Linux the win in my book.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
