Acer Nitro V 15 ANV15-41: Why every document and driver is about Windows?

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Microsoft Windows became the dominant desktop operating system starting in the late 1980s and early 1990s, largely due to strategic deals with PC manufacturers (OEMs) to preinstall Windows on nearly all consumer hardware.

Microsoft’s aggressive licensing and partnership strategies meant that PC makers (like Acer, Dell, HP) shipped almost exclusively with Windows, ensuring users encountered Windows first and making it the expected environment for hardware support.

Hardware manufacturers prioritize Windows drivers and documentation because the vast majority of their customers use Windows, maximizing compatibility and minimizing support costs.

While "blackmail" is a strong word, Microsoft did face legal challenges and accusations of anti-competitive practices—such as tying Windows with other Microsoft products and leveraging its OS monopoly to gain advantage in applications markets. These tactics were seen as limiting competition and innovation in the industry, leading to regulatory scrutiny.

Today, Windows still holds about 71-72% of the desktop OS market share worldwide, far ahead of macOS and Linux. This market dominance is more a result of decades of business strategy, network effects, and software compatibility than overt coercion. However, the legacy of Microsoft's past business practices contributes to why hardware manufacturers and software developers continue to prioritize Windows support.

Linux, now have become more powerful and always free,never broke this cycle—most consumers and businesses stuck with what was familiar and preinstalled, leaving Linux with a much smaller share and less commercial software support. Like in my family no one knows about linux because the first thing they seen in their laptop/pc is windows.

Linux has fewer bugs and is more secure than Windows, and in 2025, even some manufactures are now including linux preinstalled in their system and it’s become a strong gaming platform thanks to tools like Proton and Steam Play, which let you run most popular games smoothly—even some AAA titles. Many Linux distros are now optimized for gaming, offering better resource efficiency and performance, especially on lower-end hardware. However, while Linux can match or even outperform Windows in some cases, game compatibility and anti-cheat support are still sometimes better on Windows. For most gamers, Linux is now a real, competitive choice—especially if you value stability, privacy, and fewer bugs.

Recent benchmarks show Linux now often outperforms Windows in gaming, especially at 1080p and 1440p, with some games running up to 23% faster on Linux, particularly on AMD hardware. This is impressive given Linux uses translation layers like Proton to run Windows games, yet still delivers smoother gameplay and fewer stutters in many cases. However, Windows keeps an edge in some GPU-heavy scenarios at 4K and with certain anti-cheat systems, so not every game works perfectly on Linux. Despite Linux’s technical strengths today, Microsoft’s early dominance and partnerships with PC makers set a legacy that still shapes the OS market—making Windows the default for most users even as Linux becomes a top gaming choice.

Microsoft now actively supports Linux by contributing code to the Linux kernel, joining The Linux Foundation as a Platinum member, and backing the Open Source Initiative alongside other tech giants. The company has integrated Linux deeply into its Azure cloud platform, offers key Microsoft apps on Linux, and participates in open-source projects and standards. This shift reflects Microsoft’s recognition of Linux’s importance in modern computing and its commitment to interoperability and open source collaboration.