Windows | Windows WSL | Operating Systems
Windows
Here’s the plain truth about Windows for someone who lives in Linux: it’s not the enemy, it’s just a different set of assumptions. Once you know where Windows keeps its equivalents of a shell, a package manager and a config file, you can be productive on it in an afternoon – and that’s often all you need.
What it is, in plain words
Windows is Microsoft’s operating system, built on the NT kernel (the design that started with Windows NT in 1993; every version since XP uses it). In 2026 the current desktop release is Windows 11; Windows 10 reached end of support in October 2025, so unpatched Windows 10 machines are now a real security risk unless enrolled in paid extended updates.
A few structural differences from Linux worth knowing:
| Idea | Linux | Windows |
|---|---|---|
| Kernel | Linux (monolithic, modules) | NT (hybrid) |
| Paths | /home/me/file | C:\Users\me\file |
| Config | text files in /etc, ~/.config | the Registry, plus files in %AppData% |
| Shell | Bash, Zsh, … | PowerShell, cmd |
| Packages | xbps, pacman, apt | winget, Scoop, Chocolatey, MS Store |
| Services | runit, systemd | Service Control Manager (services.msc, sc) |
| Executables | ELF | PE (.exe, .dll) |
| Line endings | \n | \r\n |
Why it matters
Windows still runs most of the world’s desktops, nearly all office environments, and a huge number of games. Sooner or later you’ll fix a relative’s laptop, need a Windows-only tool, or work somewhere Windows is mandatory. Knowing the modern toolset means you’re not reduced to clicking through dialog boxes – Windows today is far more scriptable and developer-friendly than its reputation.
An everyday analogy: driving on the other side of the road
You already know how to drive. In a country that drives on the left, the pedals are the same, the rules are mostly the same, but the gear stick is on the other side and roundabouts go the other way. Give it a day of concentration and it becomes normal. Windows is a different side of the road, not a different vehicle.
flowchart TB U[Apps: Win32, .NET, UWP/WinUI] --> S[Subsystems & APIs] S --> K[NT kernel + HAL + drivers] W[WSL 2 Linux kernel] --> HV[Hyper-V] K --> HV
A hands-on example: a Linux user’s Windows setup
The modern toolset is mostly built in. Open Windows Terminal (default terminal in Windows 11 – it replaces older third-party consoles like ConEmu and Cmder, which still exist but are no longer needed) and run PowerShell 7.
Install software with winget (preinstalled):
winget search emacs
winget install --id GNU.Emacs -e
winget install --id Git.Git -e
winget install --id Microsoft.PowerShell -e # PowerShell 7
winget upgrade --all # update everything
winget export -o apps.json # your "package list" dotfile
Get to know PowerShell – it passes objects, not text, between commands:
Get-Process | Sort-Object CPU -Descending | Select-Object -First 5 Name, CPU, Id
Get-ChildItem C:\Users -Recurse -File -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue |
Sort-Object Length -Descending | Select-Object -First 10 FullName, Length
Get-Service | Where-Object Status -eq 'Running'
Get-NetIPAddress -AddressFamily IPv4
Compare with Bash: there is no awk '{print $3}' step, because each result already has named properties.
Useful built-ins: sudo for Windows (added in Windows 11 24H2, enable it in Settings → System → For developers), OpenSSH client and server, curl and tar.
Want a real Linux userland too? That’s WSL.
Tiling and keyboards
If you’re used to StumpWM, the stock window snapping (Win+arrow, Snap Layouts) will feel limited. PowerToys (FancyZones, a launcher, keyboard remapping) helps; GlazeWM and komorebi are proper tiling window managers for Windows. KMonad and kanata run on Windows too, so your keyboard layout can follow you.
Common misconceptions
- “Windows has no command line.” PowerShell is a serious, object-based shell, and it’s open source and cross-platform.
- “You need admin for everything.” winget installs many apps per-user; Scoop installs everything per-user by design.
- “Windows Defender isn’t real security.” Microsoft Defender is a capable built-in antivirus; keeping Windows updated matters far more than adding third-party suites.
- “Windows 10 is fine forever.” Support ended October 2025. No security patches means no safety online.
- “Linux tools can’t run on Windows.” Through WSL, MSYS2 or native ports, almost all of them can.
Connections
- Windows WSL – Linux inside Windows.
- Operating Systems – how NT and Linux differ in theory.
- Virtualization and VirtualBox – running one OS on another.
- KMonad – a keyboard layout that travels with you.
- Computing Freedom – why some of us still prefer free systems.