Why Linux isn't more popular

Linux is a great OS with a lot of good ideas behind it. But why is it not more popular on desktop?

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Host, Writing: Gvidas Mirinauskas
Video Editing: Gabija Ruzgaitė
Camera: Justinas Kyga

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[SurfsharkAcademy]

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[MadLad]

Many people don't even know what an OS is. They think that Windows is "part of the machine".

[gimcrack]

99% You can't buy a laptop or a Desktop with Linux. And 99% of customer's can't install a operating system. That's the main reason right there. No since to over think it. Been using Linux for the past 20 years. I know how to build and install an OS. Was curious one day about Linux. I install Linux and never touch a Windows OS ever again. Windows XP was the lost Windows OS I ever touched.

[_DRMR_]

It's really a chicken-V-egg problem. The amount of comments I've seen of users saying "if only software X ran on Linux, then I'd switch over because I hate Win/mac so much". And companies going "if only the market share was at least X% we'd have an incentive to port our software over".

Build it and they will come.

[Bp]

Ubuntu: I want to try linux.
Kubuntu: I want to try linux but have it look like windows.
Xubuntu: I want to try linux but have it look like MacOS.
Debian: I just want a general purpose desktop.
Puppy: my computer is extremely old but i still like it.
Arch: I want to learn everything about linux.
Kali: I want to break into my neighbor's wifi.

[jumbojoshfrombanban]

i love the fact that this is one of the brands that actually embraces linux

[TopiasSalakka]

Spreading awareness about Linux really does work. My dad had no problem moving to Linux since he only uses a web browser.
Though, part of the reason why he was so willing to change was that he has hated Microsoft since forever... So much that he refused to buy me an Xbox when i was little, got me a Playstation 2 instead.

[BlueEyedVibeChecker]

As a developer, I have a good reason.
Most distros are trying to be Windows but not, and lack any identity of their own outside of "No we have Windows at home" just with less compatibility/support.
Moreover, there are too many distros trying to do the same things, but differently.
We need three distros, one for gaming, one for professionals, and a lightweight distro.
The fact is, I make game for the Dreamcast and Windows PCs, a game I make on Windows 7 works on Windows 8/8.1/10 and 11, while a game made with Linux Mint in mind didn't work 100% on Ubuntu, SteamOS was flawless, while Arch crashed upon opening and PopOS had no sound.

Linux will never catch on until it becomes more streamlined. Not for games developers, nor for the majority of software engineers. Because it's less compatible with itself than MacOS is with Windows.

[nBptB]

If you want to switch to Linux but are not sure, I have one piece of advice for you: "Start by switching to open source programs".

I mean, I started switching all my soft to open source about 2 years before I fully switched to Linux, and that made my switch very easy because I only had to change the OS, not every single program I was used to.

[combatepistemologist]

The problem I've had with Linux is how difficult it is when you have a problem. You'll google a problem, get ten different solutions, none of which work because of assumptions the author failed to mention, or because it's for a different version, or a dozen other reasons. It's just one thing after another: To solve A you have to solve B; to solve B your have to solve C; to solve C you have to solve D, and so on. There aren't really any reasonably definitive solution spaces such as exist with commercially supported products.

[kittenzrulz]

1. The Linux Foundation has a massive amount of funding that they use to fund Linux
2. Having the option to use it is still amazing
3. When the users come the software will as well
4. KDE Connect does build an ecosystem with Android
5. There are IRC chats for major distros such as Debian and Arch
6. Having options is a good thing
7. Im not going to pretend that major multiplayer games work well but if you're a singleplayer gamer then you should be fine

[infinitymarketing]

1. Compitability issues with drivers...
2. Linux being sooo good that no one ever felt to market it...
3. Dirty Microsoft tactics

[Daniel_P]

Linux community support needs work. I've never had good help. For example, I once had a bizarre experience with adjusting the time zone in Linux. When I posted this in a dedicated forum, the response was, "I don't believe you." No one else was helpful, either.

[khayyamaurelius]

Pretty much the main two killers of linux popularity are:
- It is not the default OS most of the time.
- Some popular software either do not exist on linux, or their linux versions are merely an afterthought and doesn't run as good.

[milosCivejovidar]

Linux is the quiet kid in the class that reads book and knows more about the subject than the teacher, but keeps low and doesn't get invited to parties.

[devonnboyd]

Adobe did tip their toe in the Linux landscape in the past releasing Acrobat for Linux but discontinued it back in 2013. I think the cited reason was the difficulty of targeting multiple distros and low adoption. I think the low adoption was due to there being far superior PDF readers that are opensource but thats besides the point. I think the community needs to back a single GUI Package standard in Flatpak and as much as i like AppImage and loath Snaps we need to send them to pasture.

[freakinccdevilleiv]

It's like asking why kit cars have such a small market share in the automotive industry. Most people don't want to tinker but just drive.

[STONE_]

Folks take note that this guy is making a Linux video on a Macbook, now thats commitment. Great video, lets get Linux to 10% by the year 2026.

[pgszvnw]

i think it comes to down to the fact that people think its hard/confusing, and that is compounded by the fact that there are so many distros.

[markusTegelane]

Just remember: you can always dual boot or run a Windows VM under Linux for some apps that are Windows-only :)