Does Linux really run faster than Windows? I tested both to find out
Does Linux really run faster than Windows? I tested both to find out
https://www.howtogeek.com/does-linux-run-faster-than-windows-i-tested-both/
Publish Date: 2026-07-16 12:23:00
Source Domain: www.howtogeek.com
Linux users love to talk about how much faster their systems are compared to Windows, and you might wonder what kind of performance boosts they’re actually talking about. I decided to do a few of my own tests to get some answers.
I have a Windows-Linux dual-boot configuration on my main desktop PC. While I prefer using the Linux desktop, I wanted to see if I was just imagining the speed gains I’d convinced myself I was getting by most days leaving Windows 11 out of the question.
First, some caveats
Real-world performance is what really matters
Credit: Dibakar Ghosh | How-To Geek
I’ll preface with this fact: if you look at more rigorous benchmarks of Windows 11 against Linux distros, like Phoronix’s recent comparison of Ubuntu and Windows 11 on a high-end desktop, the Linux distro typically out-performs Windows 11. However, benchmarks are benchmarks. What matters to me is what the experience is like running everyday applications on my PC.
Another preface: this is far form a scientific test. For full transparency, I’ll make my unique dual-boot setup more clear. I just installed CachyOS over the weekend, and I loaded it with some basic software I install on every Linux setup. I reinstalled Windows 11 less recently, but since I don’t use it much, there are only a few basic apps installed there too. So neither has been bloated with software or tweaked beyond recognition.
Still, I…
