- Microsoft Windows is a family of operating systems produced my Microsoft that includes Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. The main competitors of Windows operating systems are Mac OSX and Linux. While competing operating systems may offer certain benefits over Windows platforms, Windows has many important advantages.
- The vast majority of computers in the world run on some form of Microsoft Windows. This means that if you use a computer with Windows, you will learn commands and navigation skills that apply to a large number of computers. Windows is also used widely in business and education, meaning skills learned on Windows systems can often transfer directly to a job or class. A basic level of familiarity with Windows operating systems is often considered an essential job skill or even life skill. Windows is so widespread that being completely unfamiliar with it could be considered similar to not knowing how to drive a car or use basic tools.
- Since Windows platforms are so widespread, support for Windows is usually easy to find. Most hardware devices have driver support for popular Windows operating systems, and finding solutions to computer problems may be easier on Windows than on other systems, since there are many other users that can provide advice. Microsoft hosts a massive support website that contains helpful information to troubleshoot all kinds of issues related to their operating systems. Since Microsoft is such a large corporation, support for their operating systems is likely to continue.
- Another advantage of Windows operating systems is the availability of compatible applications and tools. Since Windows systems are so common, a large number of software package are available for Windows, and many programs are made specifically to run on Windows. For instance, many popular computer games are built for Windows and may not run properly on other operating systems. Since the Windows community is so large, the amount of freeware and shareware programs available for Windows is massive. On the downside, Windows systems may be more prone to being attacked by computer viruses than computers running other operating systems.
- Microsoft Office is a software package that comes installed on many Windows-based systems. It includes a powerful word processor, spreadsheet program and presentation program. Office is used extensively in education and business. Tasks often require students and workers to use Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
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