When Windows 10 was released I had high hopes, especially as someone who loathed Windows 8. Ironically, Windows 10 is what sent me packing to set up residence in the Linux world. I couldn't be happier with that decision. The tipping point was the uneasy, growing sensation that Microsoft owned my PC. With forced updates, ill-timed reboots, constant nags and pre-loaded bloatware, the "personal" in personal computer" was disappearing.
Today as I was scanning the news I realized it was Patch Tuesday. Since about 2003, Patch Tuesday has indicated the time of the month when Microsoft issues security patches to its various software products. This is of course followed by Woeful Wednesday when users are struck with the painful realization that they still haven't jumped through the necessary hoops to disable automatic updates, and consequently discover how many things are broken.
Tech journalists probably make a killing covering Patch Tuesday and the resulting fallout. Monthly headlines across the web are crafted to instill fear and panic. "Oh my god it's coming. IT'S COMING! Brace for impact! Is your system prepared?" It's no doubt lucrative covering the details of each patch followed by the 304 possible troubleshooting steps to undo the damage.
Of course I'm exaggerating, but only just. So in the spirit of Patch Tuesday -- and from the viewpoint of someone who doesn't stress about Microsoft's automatic updates any longer -- I present to you 5 ridiculous headlines that actually should put some fear into you. And possibly make you consider dancing with the happy penguins. (That was a somewhat lame reference to the Linux mascot, sorry.)
#1: "Time To Turn Off Windows Automatic Update and Brace For Impact"
ComputerWorld's Woody Leonhard wants to remind you that this month's Patch Tuesday could be uneventful like it was in August. "Maybe, as in July, the rolled out offal will break everything in sight," he writes. "You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?'"
Leonhard covers Microsoft and the world of updates pretty religiously, and this entire article is framed as a scary reminder that you really should turn off Automatic Updates. You know, those things that are designed to protect your PC and make the overall user experience better. He then lists several helpful steps to aid Windows Home and Windows Pro users in blocking all that stuff at every possible turn.
Let me quote this passage:
We’ve seen the same pattern repeat itself almost every month since the beginning of the year: The first round of Microsoft security patches (notably including Win10 patches) introduce bugs, while subsequent rounds of patches each month squash most of them. If we’re lucky.
Sometimes the fixes come in second or third cumulative updates. Sometimes they come in Monthly Rollup Previews — a heinous practice. In either case, a significant group of first-round patchers get hit. Their more cautious brethren sit and watch, listen to the screams of pain, and wait for the all-clear.
I think that about covers it.
#2: "100 Common Windows Problems and How To Solve Them"
ONE HUNDRED? I don't even know what to say to this. Some of these are probably better categorized as annoyances, but still! These common Windows problems include blasting the advertising away from your lock screen, troubleshooting BSODs (Blue Screen of Death), removing Windows notification nags, maintaining your privacy, avoiding inconvenient reboots, avoiding malware on the Windows Store. . .
Ok I'm exhausted. The point is that you don't have to deal with any of those things running a Linux distribution like Ubuntu or many other flavors of Linux. Are there edge cases? Actually no. Linux desktop operating systems are fundamentally designed to avoid all those things.
#3: "8 Steps To Install Windows Patches Like A Pro"
I want you to just briefly consider that there are hundreds of guides out there like this. In-depth, multi-step guides for installing Automatic Updates. Now read up on how Ubuntu installs all your updates. Not just system updates, but all the software you have installed. Third-party software too. All in one batch, automatically, normally without the need to reboot. Without nags and, I would say fairly confidently, without fear.
#4: "Overcoming Windows 10 Upgrade and Version Failure Updates"
Written by a Microsoft MVP on the Microsoft Answers website, this lengthy troubleshooting guide is undoubtedly helpful, but I'm more interested in the reason it was written. Says author Greg Carmack: "[This was] Compiled from helping in thousands of Upgrade failure cases, these steps work for everyone who tries them all for Upgrade from Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 and for version Updates of Windows 10 which are failing."
The list is exhaustive but here are some highlights. Users are asked to uninstall any anti-virus software except Microsoft's own Defender (note that Linux doesn't need any of them). Run CCleeaner. Scan for and fix registry errors. Update your BIOS. Update your UEFI firmware. Disable all running services except Microsoft ones. . .
I understand that Linux has installation issues too. But I'm quite certain they don't require the same tedious level of troubleshooting and steps that are required to just ensure a smooth Microsoft OS upgrade, or even a version update. And that's of course before you even start dealing with updates.
At least Linux doesn't resort to malware-style upgrade campaigns like Microsoft did.
#5: "Fifty Percent of Windows 10 Users Have Experienced Problems"
TechRadar writes about a consumer watchdog group Which surveyed Windows 10 users, concluding that a full half of them have experienced some kind of problem with their installation.
"The most prevalent flaws in those encountered by respondents were software compatibility issues, as cited by 21% – including apps that failed to run entirely following an update. Hardware problems, such as a peripheral not working following an upgrade, were also commonplace, affecting 16% of those surveyed.
Some folks said their PC was slower following an update, and others ended up with a computer that failed to work or boot entirely. Of those unfortunates that fell into the latter camp, 46% said they had to pay someone to repair their PC, with the average cost of that work being £67 (around $90, AU$120)."
Following the survey results being published, the group started making some noise, insisting on two big ideas: 1) That Microsoft devises a more thoughtful and thorough way to educated its users on the possible downsides of updates and 2) to treat its digital product like any normal product, where consumers have the right to a refund or a replacement if things are faulty, and even a right to compensation if value data is lost due to Windows 10 errors.
Some may consider this a humorous -- if dire -- take on the state of Windows. Some may just shake it off an deal with it as a "fact of life." I'm not that far removed from the Windows world, and I recognize that Linux isn't an instant, all-inclusive replacement for certain things in the Windows world. Yet.
Seriously though, if you're tired of seeing headlines like these or worn out from the panic that creeps in everytime Patch Tuesday rolls around, consider a switch to Linux. There certainly isn't a shortage of choices out there, and one thing I can say with confidence: it sure is more relaxing to use on a day-to-day basis.
MORE ABOUT LINUX ON FORBES:
- Beginner's Guide: How To Install Ubuntu 18.04
- Ubuntu Guide: Install Drivers And Play Windows Games On Linux
- 5 Reasons To Switch From Windows To Linux Right Now
- Ditching Windows: 2 Weeks With Ubuntu On The Dell XPS 13
- Ditching Windows: Here's How Ubuntu Updates Your PC And Why It's Better
- Elementary OS First Impressions: A Simple, Beautiful Doorway To Linux
- Steam For Linux Adds 1000 Perfectly Playable Games In Under A Week
