3 Myths Told about Windows that Aren t True Anymore

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3 Myths Told about Windows that Aren t True Anymore

Windows haters like to tell myths about Microsoft's operating system giant. Let's see if there's any truth to these stereotypes. While the authors at MakeUseOf carry diverse preferences on computer OSes, we've written , explaining why it's still a viable option in the world of Mac OS X and . Of course, and so stereotypes about Windows persist. Today, let's take a closer look at some Windows myths that have lingered throughout the ages. Not all of them will turn out to be false, but by examining the facts instead of just shouting angrily about "the other people," maybe we can reach an understanding that Windows isn't the buggy, virus-laden mess people make it out to be.

Myth Windows is Not Intuitive

It's an overused joke by now that Windows 8 made some annoying design choices, and though 8.1 cleaned up a lot of the mess it's still a good idea to . However, this doesn't mean that these issues are exclusive to Windows, as we're also looked at some . Though both operating systems have some quirks, it's not about counting up how many changes you need to make out of the box. Rather, the takeaway point is that intuitiveness is subjective. Mihir to think about how invested they are in the environment. If you've been using Windows all your life, you're used to its quirks and how it functions, even down to simple things like how maximizing and closing windows works. On a Mac, that's totally different – and that doesn't mean it's wrong, but . If someone has never used a computer in their life, there could be arguments made for what's most intuitive at first glance. However, most Windows haters don't fall into this category and so they don't consider the subjective nature of this complaint; thus it can't really be used effectively. There are ; in the end, it all comes down to choosing the best environment for you.

Myth Windows Gets the Most Viruses

Now we come to a myth that isn't totally false, but needs closer examination. Contrary to the , Windows is not inherently insecure, meaning that it's not a glued-together pile of rubbish just waiting to collapse. Rather, and thus the biggest target for attack. If you wanted to write a piece of malware and get the biggest return, which OS would you choose to target? Obviously, from this usage graph we can see how huge of a market share Windows has. It logically follows that the most malware would exist for Windows, then, since it has the biggest user base and therefore the most possible targets and highest profit margin. Of course, that's not to say Macs don't get malware. Though it isn't common unless you're installing unapproved software, you may still see . Another qualifier on this myth has to do with the . Today, traditional viruses aren't the concern as much as , adware, and other sleazy software that inject ads into everything you do. And thanks to some loopholes, is considered totally legal. Most of this and is somewhat OS-independent; our friends at the How-To Geek have chronicled how , and how , too. So yes, Windows has the most viruses. However, using that as an attack on it is like saying people who work outside get the most sunburn. If every OS had the same market share, this Windows complaint would be more valid. However, while Windows continues to dominate, its virus problem is a sad truth but not one that can be used as significant leverage against it.

General Myths

There are plenty of myths that we've either looked at sometime in the past or aren't significant enough to warrant their own section. Let's take a look at some classic Windows myths that are hopefully dying out.

Registry Cleaning

First, . Regular users should never have reason to look into the registry, and . PC cleaning programs such as MyCleanPC (that go so far as to advertise on late-night TV) count every temporary file and cookie on your computer as a "problem" and then scare you into paying them $20-$40 to do nothing of value. Don't fall for these shysters; learn and avoid the scams. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9m2s6QG1Q0

Defragmenting

While like cleaning the registry, it's becoming less important as time goes on. If you have a (SSD), you should never defragment the drive as it could cause damage. Those who still have a traditional hard disk drive (if you're not sure, you can ) can defragment every so often, but the latest versions of Windows do this automatically and so you shouldn't have to even think about it.

Premium Antivirus

There are plenty of good free antivirus programs out there (), so you don't need to pay for a premium product. However, you don't want to run multiple antivirus programs at once; they will at best slow down your system and at worst conflict, miss infections, or cause deeper problems. Stick with just one, such as avast! (). Matt has written at length , but if you still insist on using AdBlock, don't use multiple versions. Just like antivirus utilities, you'll be wasting system resources and bogging down your browser.

Debunking the Haters

Of course, there are many more myths about Windows that don't seem to die. If you think Windows isn't aesthetically pleasing or isn't customizable, check out the , or . Windows isn't perfect, and it is an easy target for some of the criticisms used against it. However, by looking at the truth instead of perpetuating falsehood, we can get a better idea of what Windows is really all about and why it doesn't deserve to be bashed constantly. If you're a Windows hater, when was the last time you actually sat down and used the OS? Misconceptions built on Windows XP are outdated and are in sore need of an update (just like how , in fact!). Hungry for more myths to bust? Check out and . What Windows myths are you sick of hearing about? Do other operating systems carry as many myths as Windows does? Please share your thoughts below! Image Credits: via Shutterstock, via Shutterstock