The biggest threat to Windows is Steam

[Chazore]

G2ThaUNiT said:

hunter_alien said:

That is a good take. I do agree that you don't "need" Windows. I could do my work on OSX or Linux as an IT professional, but I have worked and the ease of use that I am accustomed to, makes Windows a default option. Most people won't want to learn several different PC OS's so I bet what works at the office is more than enough for home. And let's face it, no other platform really combines the ease of use for entertainment purposes and work as Windows does. 

I am not a fan of Microsoft nor Windows (hence why I use OSX at home) but the inertia is there for businesses and people and they won't switch, at least not for the next decade. Predicting over that timeframe is pointless. 

My point is that we have seen this prediction come and go with iOS, Android, OSX and Chrome OS many times before, and it never materialised, mainly because as far as cultural and economic impregnation goes, Windows is unrivalled.

Yeah I agree overall with this take. Microsoft has pretty massively shot themselves in the foot with Windows 11 starting with such strict requirements to make the upgrade to the OS, to breaking updates/bugs even several years in, to so many apps just not even being able to work properly to the abandonment of legacy systems with no proper replacements or alternatives. It's amazing in 2025, Microsoft still follows up a decent version of their OS with a terrible one. 

I honestly wouldn't mind making the switch to SteamOS. My home PC is 90% for gaming and emulation anyway, which overall is really good on my Steam Deck. Biggest thing is ensuring games run smoothly, which there's just a handful that I currently have issues with. Other than that, 10% is for work but mainly is just using remote software that is already supported on Linux, and if I need to use Office, my job uses O365 that I can just access on a web browser lol.

I personally look forward to Microsoft getting sweaty about the potential of Windows losing mass market share. It's been a long time coming.

With their recent talks on Windows 11 "refresh", I am not the least bit interested in 11 going forward, as their article has no mention of gaming, but they sure do mention a ton about AI and co-pilot being injected into every day life tasks for their OS, and I am just not up for wanting a home version of big brother breathing down my neck 24/7 (not to mention bloating my memory/process usage).

Every other task I do on a daily basis can already be done by Linux in general, which includes gaming. The only one issue I have is Sony Vegas Pro support (I've not looked into Linux support with video editors yet, but I will have to as the time comes closer to switching OS's), but outside of that, I am more than ready to eventually switch to Steam OS when the time comes closer to their official release.

MS has had decades to get their cards right and so far they've been doing nothing but chasing trends, allowing security loopholes to occur, bloating their OS more and more and stuffing in gimmicks that don't really do much of anything for the core user (us, not the normies). Also I am not a fan of UI over simplification and option restrictions, which they have been doing frequently with Windows 10 and more so with 11 (Windows XP and 7 will forever remain my fave two OS's).

I want Steam OS to take off and do well for gaming first, then regular tasks later, because gaming is primarily what I use my OS for in the first place, and so far Steam OS is proving for a good pivot in that direction on the Steam Deck. I'm very certain Valve won't give up half way with what they have been doing so far, so I'm sure we can expect a full Steam OS that will challenge Windows primarily in the gaming dept (not the business/normie dept, which I feel half this site thinks it is aiming for, it is not I can assure you).