Why Linux Has Failed to Challenge Windows OS.
Linux has not been able to touch Windows even by a long pole. Windows today occupies close to 90% of the OS market. Remaining 10% market share is being fought between many other OS. Linux happens to be one of them. Over the years Linux distributions have improved a lot. 
Today those who have dabbled in Linux distributions like Fedora and Ubuntu can vouch for their stability and usefulness. The two most popular Linux distro with its packaged software can do almost everything which a Windows OS with Office suite can do. But then the basic question arises, what are the reasons holding Linux back. Let’s sort out the reasons one by one.
Pre – Installation of Windows OS on PCs.
Microsoft spends lots of money on advertisements and has tie-ups with PC sellers for shipping PCs with Windows OS. Young and old, alike all of us have grown seeing Windows as the only OS around. Windows has come in to our habit and we have got used to its Desktop, the packaged Office suite, the email client etc. Microsoft has excelled in marketing their products and convincing the hardware manufacturers to ship them with pre-installed Windows.
Familiarity:
Since we have got so used to working with windows, we don’t see there are other alternatives around. We tend to associate word “Free” with something which will not be so good. Windows no doubt is an excellent OS and has been doing yeomen service for more than two decades now.
Marketing:
The present distributions like Ubuntu and Fedora are not getting enough promotions because there is no single company behind them. There are several versions of Linux all marketed by their individual companies, and mostly to the business sector. Linux distributions need promotion now. Similar to the way MS has been doing it for their OS.
Understanding of an OS:
Very few of the computer user understands the technical aspects of an OS. To them OS is Windows. They can never think of anything other than Windows OS.
Improvements.
It is not right to say that Microsoft has concentrated in only marketing. There has been major improvements in the features and programs which comes bundled with Windows OS. The MS Office we see today is so improved over its earlier versions of nineties that it has resulted in improved productivity and time savings.
There are many other factors. The competition is always better for the product and the market players. There is always an effort to work around and offer something new and improved. Linux distributions, Fedora 12 and Ubuntu 9.10 are very good and their acceptance will only increase.
May also like to read: Google’s Linux Chromebook to Seriously Challenge Windows OS
