For decades, Windows has maintained a reputation as the de facto operating system for general consumers, power users, and enterprises alike. Its broad compatibility, massive software library, and familiar user interface have contributed to its dominance. Yet, as the pace of innovation accelerates within the world of open-source operating systems, particularly in distributions like Linux Mint, questions arise: Is Windows still the optimal choice in terms of user experience? Or has it fallen behind, especially on modern usability, customization, and everyday convenience?
This article critically examines five key features Linux Mint offers natively—features that could serve as both inspiration and challenge to Microsoft’s Windows. With technological change often driven by bold adaptation, now may be the time for Windows to borrow liberally from its open-source rival.
Desktop customization has long been one of the defining conversations for OS enthusiasts. The degree to which a user can tailor their working environment impacts productivity, comfort, and even creativity. Windows, especially since Windows 11, has come under criticism for imposing unnecessary restrictions on user choice. For instance, the once-basic ability to move the taskbar to any edge of the display—a staple since the days of Windows 95—was effectively removed in Windows 11. Community outcry has led to a bevy of workarounds, such as third-party software and registry tweaks, but the solutions remain unstable and, at times, outright glitchy, especially given Microsoft’s push for center-aligned icons and its more rigid system tray arrangement.
In contrast, Linux Mint excels in desktop flexibility. Users can intuitively position the taskbar (panel) wherever they wish—top, bottom, left, or right—without needing to compromise system stability or aesthetics. Mint’s desklets, a feature akin to widgets but with greater cohesion and range, allow users to monitor system statistics, show sticky notes, or display clocks and news feeds directly on the desktop. These desklets can be installed and configured right from a curated menu, without resorting to obscure file downloads or messy configuration files. The variety extends to theming and iconography: Linux Mint’s dark and colorful themes rival Windows in beauty, and its icon packs are often praised for being both vibrant and unified.
Furthermore, Mint’s XApp suite enforces design consistency across default utilities, from text editors to system monitors. While Microsoft is actively modernizing Windows’ core apps to fit the Fluent design ethos, vestiges of the old interface still persist—mismatched dialogs, lingering Control Panel components, and UI clutter that can tilt toward inconsistency rather than cohesion. Even the relatively modern Windows Settings app fails to fully replace the classic Control Panel—a sore point for users seeking simplicity and modernity.
Linux Mint offers Timeshift, a robust backup utility that creates automated snapshots of the entire system. Timeshift distinguishes itself not only by its UI clarity—accessible directly from Mint’s settings—but also in its efficiency. After an initial snapshot, subsequent snapshots are incremental, recording only what has changed since the last backup. This strategy conserves disk space and speeds up processes. Scheduling is easily configurable: users can opt for snapshot intervals as fine as every boot or as broad as monthly backups.
Additionally, Timeshift is designed for recovery from failed updates, system corruption, or accidental file deletions—a common fear on Windows, especially given the frequency of problematic cumulative updates. In Mint, users regain a large degree of confidence, knowing that their entire system state can be restored effortlessly.
Linux Mint’s approach represents a paradigm shift. Its Software Manager seamlessly integrates traditional Linux package management with modern app sandboxing technologies, most notably Flatpak. Flatpak is a universal packaging system for Linux, allowing developers to bundle their app and all its dependencies in a self-contained format. The advantage is twofold: users can install applications from a trusted hub, verified by cryptographic signatures, and developers need only maintain a single package that works on any Flatpak-enabled distribution.
Mint’s Software Manager supports classic DEB packages, Flatpaks, and PPAs (Personal Package Archives) all within a unified UI. For the end user, this means searching, installing, and managing applications with minimal friction—finding both open-source staples and proprietary software, all curated and validated. This end-to-end experience minimizes malware risks, streamlines updates, and simplifies the handling of tricky dependencies that plague Windows (think: “missing VCRUNTIME140.dll”).
Linux Mint, on the other hand, includes a dedicated Driver Manager. This utility automatically detects hardware components and fetches the correct version of drivers, regardless of the hardware manufacturer. Whether you’re running an NVIDIA GPU or a Broadcom Wi-Fi adapter, Mint ensures you install the recommended driver version without trial-and-error or guesswork. It also spells out the driver’s purpose, so users always know what they’re installing and why.
Mint extends the same user-first design to its Update Manager. Blacklisting problematic updates is automatic, sparing users from system-bricking bugs. Notifications are based on “logged-in days” rather than disruptive popups, providing reminders without irritation.
Linux Mint addresses this with Warpinator, a peer-to-peer file-sharing app reintroduced in version 20. Warpinator is refreshingly simple: open the app on both devices, and they auto-discover one another on the local network. Users can then drag and drop files or whole folders; integrity checks using checksums provide confidence in the transfer. It’s as seamless as AirDrop—and crucially, is now cross-platform via “Winpinator” for Windows and even a dedicated Android app.
Each feature discussed here—desktop customization, robust system snapshots, unified software management, streamlined driver support, and effortless local file sharing—exemplifies principles that Microsoft could integrate into the next generation of Windows. While third-party utilities and registry tweaks continue to patch the gaps, these should be native, first-class functions in a modern operating system.
Microsoft’s challenge is clear: listen to users, study what works in open-source distributions like Linux Mint, and be bold enough to adopt and adapt the best features—while protecting backward compatibility and the broader ecosystem. Constructive rivalry has led to some of the biggest leaps in software history. Today, the lesson from Linux Mint is unmistakable: the path to a better Windows might just be paved with ideas from its open-source counterpart. And, in this age of rapid technological change, user satisfaction waits for no one.
Source: MakeUseOf https://www.makeuseof.com/features-windows-steal-linux-mint/
This article critically examines five key features Linux Mint offers natively—features that could serve as both inspiration and challenge to Microsoft’s Windows. With technological change often driven by bold adaptation, now may be the time for Windows to borrow liberally from its open-source rival.
The Decline of Windows’ Desktop Customization—And How Linux Mint Surges Ahead
Desktop customization has long been one of the defining conversations for OS enthusiasts. The degree to which a user can tailor their working environment impacts productivity, comfort, and even creativity. Windows, especially since Windows 11, has come under criticism for imposing unnecessary restrictions on user choice. For instance, the once-basic ability to move the taskbar to any edge of the display—a staple since the days of Windows 95—was effectively removed in Windows 11. Community outcry has led to a bevy of workarounds, such as third-party software and registry tweaks, but the solutions remain unstable and, at times, outright glitchy, especially given Microsoft’s push for center-aligned icons and its more rigid system tray arrangement.In contrast, Linux Mint excels in desktop flexibility. Users can intuitively position the taskbar (panel) wherever they wish—top, bottom, left, or right—without needing to compromise system stability or aesthetics. Mint’s desklets, a feature akin to widgets but with greater cohesion and range, allow users to monitor system statistics, show sticky notes, or display clocks and news feeds directly on the desktop. These desklets can be installed and configured right from a curated menu, without resorting to obscure file downloads or messy configuration files. The variety extends to theming and iconography: Linux Mint’s dark and colorful themes rival Windows in beauty, and its icon packs are often praised for being both vibrant and unified.
Furthermore, Mint’s XApp suite enforces design consistency across default utilities, from text editors to system monitors. While Microsoft is actively modernizing Windows’ core apps to fit the Fluent design ethos, vestiges of the old interface still persist—mismatched dialogs, lingering Control Panel components, and UI clutter that can tilt toward inconsistency rather than cohesion. Even the relatively modern Windows Settings app fails to fully replace the classic Control Panel—a sore point for users seeking simplicity and modernity.
Critical Analysis: Where Linux Mint Wins, and Where Windows Could Improve
- Strengths of Linux Mint:
- Seamless desktop customization; the user is always in control.
- Desklets add practical function without aesthetic chaos.
- Consistency delivered through a unified applications toolkit (XApp).
- Risks and Weaknesses:
- New users might be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of customization options.
- Desklets, while impressive, may have a learning curve for non-technical users.
- Windows’ Opportunity:
- By restoring advanced customization and unifying its interface, Windows could satisfy long-standing power users without alienating newcomers.
System Restore vs. Timeshift: A Tale of Two Backups
A reliable, user-friendly system backup solution can make or break your computing experience. While Windows features System Restore, its handling and limitations have been a source of frustration. System Restore’s GUI is dated, buried within the legacy Control Panel, and not easily discoverable—even experienced users may have trouble finding it via the new Settings app. Furthermore, it operates by creating periodic restore points, but lacks clear controls for scheduling and granularity.Linux Mint offers Timeshift, a robust backup utility that creates automated snapshots of the entire system. Timeshift distinguishes itself not only by its UI clarity—accessible directly from Mint’s settings—but also in its efficiency. After an initial snapshot, subsequent snapshots are incremental, recording only what has changed since the last backup. This strategy conserves disk space and speeds up processes. Scheduling is easily configurable: users can opt for snapshot intervals as fine as every boot or as broad as monthly backups.
Additionally, Timeshift is designed for recovery from failed updates, system corruption, or accidental file deletions—a common fear on Windows, especially given the frequency of problematic cumulative updates. In Mint, users regain a large degree of confidence, knowing that their entire system state can be restored effortlessly.
Analysis: Snapshotting Done Right
- Strengths of Timeshift:
- Transparent scheduling and efficient incremental backups.
- Intuitive UI, directly integrated into system settings.
- Resilience in the face of dangerous updates or user error.
- Risks and Weaknesses:
- Snapshots can still consume substantial space if not managed carefully—less experienced users might run low on disk.
- Timeshift’s backups focus on system files and settings; users still need separate strategies for personal data.
- Implications for Windows:
- Microsoft should consider bundling a similarly powerful snapshot utility. Bringing System Restore’s interface—and functionality—up to modern standards could significantly enhance user trust in OS updates.
The Software Manager Experience: Flatpak Integration Sets a New Standard
One of the perennial pain points for Windows users is software installation and security. Most Windows programs are installed via .exe or .msi files downloaded from the internet—a process riddled with risks, from inadvertently grabbing a malicious installer to struggling with missing dependencies and outdated libraries. The Microsoft Store, while conceptually solid, still suffers from a limited catalog, inconsistent app updates, and a poor reputation among developers and end users alike.Linux Mint’s approach represents a paradigm shift. Its Software Manager seamlessly integrates traditional Linux package management with modern app sandboxing technologies, most notably Flatpak. Flatpak is a universal packaging system for Linux, allowing developers to bundle their app and all its dependencies in a self-contained format. The advantage is twofold: users can install applications from a trusted hub, verified by cryptographic signatures, and developers need only maintain a single package that works on any Flatpak-enabled distribution.
Mint’s Software Manager supports classic DEB packages, Flatpaks, and PPAs (Personal Package Archives) all within a unified UI. For the end user, this means searching, installing, and managing applications with minimal friction—finding both open-source staples and proprietary software, all curated and validated. This end-to-end experience minimizes malware risks, streamlines updates, and simplifies the handling of tricky dependencies that plague Windows (think: “missing VCRUNTIME140.dll”).
Critical Perspective: The Security Equation
- Advantages:
- Simplifies access to both open-source and commercial software in one place.
- Flatpak’s sandboxing increases security and application reliability.
- Automatic updates and rollbacks enhance trust.
- Caveats:
- Flatpak apps can be larger than native apps due to bundled dependencies. Storage-conscious users may notice the difference.
- Some legacy applications or cutting-edge programs may not yet have Flatpak support.
- Lessons for Windows:
- True unification of app installation, complete with sandboxing and cryptographic validation, would improve Windows’ security posture and user satisfaction. The Microsoft Store has the infrastructure, but expanded adoption and quality control are sorely needed.
Hardware Support Headaches: Why Linux Mint’s Driver Manager Outpaces Windows
Driver installation and management have eternally dogged Windows, especially during fresh installs. While Windows 10 and 11 have made strides by delivering common drivers via Windows Update, installation of specialized hardware—graphics cards, Wi-Fi chips, printers—often requires a manual trek to the OEM’s website or the use of sketchy third-party driver updaters. The risks are significant: driver conflicts, outdated software, and even system crashes.Linux Mint, on the other hand, includes a dedicated Driver Manager. This utility automatically detects hardware components and fetches the correct version of drivers, regardless of the hardware manufacturer. Whether you’re running an NVIDIA GPU or a Broadcom Wi-Fi adapter, Mint ensures you install the recommended driver version without trial-and-error or guesswork. It also spells out the driver’s purpose, so users always know what they’re installing and why.
Mint extends the same user-first design to its Update Manager. Blacklisting problematic updates is automatic, sparing users from system-bricking bugs. Notifications are based on “logged-in days” rather than disruptive popups, providing reminders without irritation.
Sizing Up Support: A Comparative View
- Strong Points in Linux Mint:
- Driver installation is nearly hands-off, suitable for novices and pros.
- Easy-to-understand explanations and clear rollback options.
- Update Manager guards system stability by filtering problematic patches.
- Risks and Realities:
- While Mint’s database covers most common hardware, bleeding-edge or proprietary devices may still require manual intervention.
- Hardware manufacturers sometimes prioritize Windows for driver updates, introducing potential gaps for Linux users.
- Windows’ Dilemma and Opportunity:
- Microsoft could centralize all driver management—perhaps incorporating a detailed, intuitive driver dashboard into Windows Settings—while adopting Linux-style update blacklisting to prevent publicized update blunders.
Local File Sharing: Warpinator Delivers What Windows’ Nearby Sharing Does Not
File sharing between PCs on a local network should be trivial, but Windows’ Nearby Sharing—an intended competitor to Apple’s AirDrop—often disappoints. Reports abound of failed transfers, unresponsive devices, and unclear setup steps. Third-party alternatives exist (Snapdrop, SHAREit, cloud sync), but none offer the “just works” experience users crave.Linux Mint addresses this with Warpinator, a peer-to-peer file-sharing app reintroduced in version 20. Warpinator is refreshingly simple: open the app on both devices, and they auto-discover one another on the local network. Users can then drag and drop files or whole folders; integrity checks using checksums provide confidence in the transfer. It’s as seamless as AirDrop—and crucially, is now cross-platform via “Winpinator” for Windows and even a dedicated Android app.
Evaluating the Impact: AirDrop for the Linux (and Windows) World
- Benefits:
- Swift, reliable local file transfers—no manual IP entry or cumbersome network share setup.
- Built-in checksum verification boosts trust in copy accuracy.
- Expanding Warpinator to Android and Windows expands the ecosystem.
- Limitations:
- Warpinator relies on both devices being on the same local network.
- Large transfers can still be limited by network speed.
- A Roadmap for Windows:
- Windows’ Nearby Sharing, as currently implemented, is not competing effectively. Integrating a robust, AirDrop-like system and opening its APIs to third-party clients would resolve persistent pain points for millions.
Conclusion: The Open Source Playbook for Windows’ Next Evolution
Linux Mint’s ascendance as a user-friendly, powerful, and highly customizable desktop OS is not merely a fluke—it’s the product of years of community-driven design and an unwavering commitment to improving users’ daily experiences. Windows, for all its strengths and historical dominance, now finds itself at a crossroads. With each major update, it risks further alienation of a tech-literate audience that increasingly values flexibility, seamless recovery, security, and ease of use.Each feature discussed here—desktop customization, robust system snapshots, unified software management, streamlined driver support, and effortless local file sharing—exemplifies principles that Microsoft could integrate into the next generation of Windows. While third-party utilities and registry tweaks continue to patch the gaps, these should be native, first-class functions in a modern operating system.
Microsoft’s challenge is clear: listen to users, study what works in open-source distributions like Linux Mint, and be bold enough to adopt and adapt the best features—while protecting backward compatibility and the broader ecosystem. Constructive rivalry has led to some of the biggest leaps in software history. Today, the lesson from Linux Mint is unmistakable: the path to a better Windows might just be paved with ideas from its open-source counterpart. And, in this age of rapid technological change, user satisfaction waits for no one.
Source: MakeUseOf https://www.makeuseof.com/features-windows-steal-linux-mint/
