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- Unstable
Due to Windows's popularity most hackers and virus writers choose to attack Windows instead of other operating systems. The results of all these attacks can range from your desktop wallpaper being changed to vital system files being erased. The most effective way to combat these threats is to run an anti-virus program such as Norton Anti-Virus and a software firewall like Zone Lab's Zone Alarm, or Sygate Personal Firewall. Both of these types of programs programs consume system resources and internet bandwidth, which means they will slow down overall performance.
Windows does not have the stability of UNIX as its base like Linux does, so naturally its is not going to be as stable as Linux. Windows has difficulty effectively managing virtual memory. When Windows XP needs to access the hard disk paging file it will often copy more than is needed and perform slowly in the process. Windows tends to become laggy and less usable when left on for long periods of time and requires frequent restarts to run at peak efficiency. Many of these fault were lessened in Windows XP, but there are still other problems. Also the wide range of software available for Windows PCs often is not fully compatible with certain hardware, which can cause the system to lock-up or crash the software. Another reason for Windows instability is because it allows all users full control over their machine rather than just a root user having this authority like in Linux. Often times Windows's instability is cause by users who inadvertently tamper with system data.
Virtually all software for Windows costs money and some of it is extremely expensive. Users can pay hundreds of dollars for programs that often do not do what they really want. Most all computers ship with some part of Microsoft office which the purchaser pays for. For example, advanced imaging software such as Photoshop can cost in excess of 400 dollars versus GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program), which is free for download for Linux users. Also users often get stuck paying for features they never use and never intend on using. Even Windows itself is extremely expensive. Windows XP Professional can cost around $300. This means that in addition to buying a computer you have to spend around $500 - $600 on software to obtain the usability you desire.
Windows XP has two basic visual styles windows classic and luna (the Windows XP default visual style). Microsoft has locked down the ability to modify and create new visual styles. There are third party applications that can provide this functionality such as StyleXP, but they run over the standard style and consume system resources. Users sometimes get sick of their computers looking the exact same every time they sit down to use them. Microsoft doesn't give you much of a choice over how your computer looks.