I use Windows 11 every day. I write about it for a living. I know its specifics, its strengths, and its habit of shipping "helpful" features nobody asked for.
But now and then, I boot into Linux. Not to recompile a kernel or show off command-line skills. Just to use it and stay in the loop. However, the same thought keeps coming back. Windows 11 is polished and user-friendly, but Linux still does some things better, quietly and without making a big deal out of it.
Reasons for Linux being better than Linux
These are the five areas where it can be argued that Linux is better than Windows.
1. Cost without catch
Linux is free. Not "free for now." Not "free unless you want basic features later." It's just free.
There's no license key. No activation screen. No tiered editions where useful features are blocked behind a paywall. You download it, install it, and that's it.
On Windows 11, the story is different because the one seat can cost as much as $139 for the Home edition, and you can pay up to $199 for the Pro edition.
Now, if you purchase a new device, Windows 11 will come pre-installed "free" of charge, but the cost will continue to be there in different forms. For example, in the form of hardware upgrades, account requirements, and feature segmentation. Linux avoids this entirely. You are not the product, the upsell, or the future subscription.
However, I do want to leave a note in the section stating that, even though Linux is technically free, some distributions do cost money. For example, Zorin OS has a free version, but if you want access to more advanced and premium features, you'll have to pay for the Pro edition ($47.99). However, if you choose Linux Mint, then this distro is completely free.
2. Hardware requirements that respect reality
Linux runs on machines that Windows 11 would rather forget existed. For example, older laptops, low-end desktops, and systems with limited memory or aging processors. Linux does not shame them. Actually, Linux has the tendency to thrive on older hardware.
Windows 11's hardware requirements make sense from a security and platform perspective, but they still leave many perfectly functional computers behind. Linux, by contrast, meets hardware where it is, not where marketing wants it to be.
If your computer still turns on and has a keyboard, Linux probably has an opinion about how to make it useful.
3. Control and customization that actually means control
Windows 11 lets you customize things, but always within carefully defined limits. On the other hand, Linux is built around choice. It is the point.
On Linux, you can pick from completely different desktop environments, each with its own personality and workflow. GNOME is sleek and modern, focused on simplicity. KDE Plasma is loaded with options and tweaks if you like controlling every little detail. XFCE or LXQt are lightweight and fast, perfect for older hardware.
In addition, if you want to go even deeper, there are window managers like i3, dwm, Fluxbox, Hyprland, and AwesomeWM that let you design your workflow from the ground up, often without a traditional desktop at all.
Beyond the look, Linux lets you control system behavior, startup processes, theming, and workflows. You're not just toggling features. You're shaping how the operating system works.
You don't have to use all of that control. Most people stick to one desktop and call it a day. However, knowing this level of control exists changes the dynamic. Linux doesn't assume it knows better than you. Windows 11 often does.
4. No AI features to manage, disable, or avoid
Linux does not try to write your emails, summarize your files, or analyze your screenshots. It does not install background AI services and then make you hunt through settings to turn them off, or half-turn them off.
There is no Copilot, no "assistant" constantly nudging you, no banners telling you that cloud processing might improve your experience. You don't get constant reminders that the operating system thinks it knows what you need.
If you want AI on Linux, you'll have to add it yourself. You can install a local model or use a tool that leverages the integration. It's entirely your choice, on your terms. The system doesn't assume you want it, and it won't keep running or prompting you in the background without your knowledge.
Sometimes the best features are the ones that aren't there. Freedom here means more than customization. It's quiet, invisible, and free of unnecessary interruptions.
5. Minimal telemetry and privacy by design
In the world of Linux, telemetry (the automatic collection and transmission of usage data) is a sensitive topic. Unlike Windows or macOS, where telemetry is deeply integrated and often mandatory, Linux is built on a philosophy of user control and transparency.
When telemetry exists, it is usually disclosed and optional. You can see what data is collected, why it exists, and how to turn it off. Privacy is treated as the default, not an advanced setting buried three menus deep.
Windows 11 collects data to improve the product, but it's not very transparent about how that data is used. The settings are scattered, change over time, and mostly ask users to trust that everything is fine.
At the end of the day
Linux isn't perfect. It has quirks, rough edges, and a learning curve that can be intimidating if you're used to Windows 11 or any other version. However, these five areas show why it still quietly outperforms Windows 11 in certain ways, including freedom without friction, respect for older hardware, true control, no pushy AI, and privacy by default.
Using Linux isn't about ditching Windows. It's about knowing there's another approach. One where the system gets out of your way, doesn't assume it knows better than you, and gives you the power to decide how it works.
So the next time you feel boxed in by Windows 11's rules, remember that Linux exists.
More resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:
- Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
- Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know
Where do you land on this debate. If you’ve tried Linux, what did it do better for you, and if you’re sticking with Windows 11, what keeps you there.
Drop your experiences below — especially the pain points and the wins — because they tell a much clearer story than any benchmark or feature list ever could.
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