Actually you still absolutely do, since Microsoft has in the past, and probably still, actively sabotaged the ability to run other operating systems on gener computation devices.
Back in the 90s, before the DOJ v Microsoft antitrust trial, Microsoft’s licensing terms with OEMs required them to pay MS for every unit sold — even units that did not come with Windows. This meant that if Dell or HP or whoever wanted to offer Linux as an option, they’d still need to pay Microsoft for Windows or else lose the ability to sell Windows at all. It made no sense to offer Linux PCs at that point.
Just one of many many examples of Microsoft’s illegal anti-competitive behaviors.
They do in more quiet ways nowadays. Microsoft Office and GamePass, for example, can only be used on Windows (unless you count the cloud versions that work through the browser).
Then there’s workplaces which most workplaces use Windows. You cannot escape it there.
My workplace is in the process of locking down remote work to where you can’t use Linux for anything anymore. I was looking for a way to remote in using Linux so I could ditch my Windows devices but even that is not going to be an option for me. Defender is enabling that type of stuff more easily in the name of security.
Actually you still absolutely do, since Microsoft has in the past, and probably still, actively sabotaged the ability to run other operating systems on gener computation devices.
Back in the 90s, before the DOJ v Microsoft antitrust trial, Microsoft’s licensing terms with OEMs required them to pay MS for every unit sold — even units that did not come with Windows. This meant that if Dell or HP or whoever wanted to offer Linux as an option, they’d still need to pay Microsoft for Windows or else lose the ability to sell Windows at all. It made no sense to offer Linux PCs at that point.
Just one of many many examples of Microsoft’s illegal anti-competitive behaviors.
There’s also the who ACPI debacle.
http://iowa.gotthefacts.org/011607/3000/PX03020.pdf
Groklaw still around? It has tons of anti trust details archived.
It’s still there (apparently archived at Ibiblio) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groklaw -> http://groklaw.net
They do in more quiet ways nowadays. Microsoft Office and GamePass, for example, can only be used on Windows (unless you count the cloud versions that work through the browser).
Then there’s workplaces which most workplaces use Windows. You cannot escape it there.
My workplace is in the process of locking down remote work to where you can’t use Linux for anything anymore. I was looking for a way to remote in using Linux so I could ditch my Windows devices but even that is not going to be an option for me. Defender is enabling that type of stuff more easily in the name of security.