The solution is used as an operating system for running applications, such as email, spreadsheets, file sharing, and Oracle.
Additionally, we use Windows because it is a requirement of both applications and for many businesses. Windows is at the center of the application. We use it for the POS applications that run on Navision ERP from Microsoft.
Windows 10 is easier for people to learn than other alternative solutions. Microsoft has been doing a very good job recently with updates and integrations, such as the collaboration with Ubuntu.
Windows 7 and Windows 10 are identical. However, Windows 10 is the slowest of all the variants. You need to use a solid-state drive if you are going to run Windows. Otherwise, once you install it, and give it some time it is going to slow your whole system down. Especially if you are using the internet, it is going to slow your system down fast. Additionally, it could be more secure as Windows 10 is more vulnerable to viruses.
This solution is very different from Linux where everything that you run is a process. Windows is not as fast as Linux, it is slower when you run processes, but Windows has something that attracts you to it and I think it is because of familiarity.
Microsoft monitors what you are doing. If they removed telemetry, Cortana, and other snooping tactics it would be a lot faster. The updates have to be watched because they can have some surprises related to the gathering of information.
I have been using this solution for approximately five years.
We have approximately 600 systems running Windows.
We have not used support from Microsoft.
We have previously used Windows 7, Windows Server, and Linux.
The installation is easy and is very fast.
We have a team of 20 that does the maintenance and deployment of this solution.
There is a one-time license purchase for Windows 10.
I have evaluated Windows 11.
I would prefer Linux to Microsoft. However, Microsoft is releasing Windows 11 and they have made some great advancements. We will see in the near future the new features.
I rate Windows 10 a seven out of ten.