The 15 most common and false myths about Windows (debunked with data and experience)

Windows is the operating system that dominates the world of personal and business computing by a wide margin, but its very popularity has led to the emergence of dozens of myths and misconceptions over the years regarding its operation, security, licensing, and performance. Many of these myths were justified in the system's early versions, but in 2024, reality has changed dramatically, and it's important to dispel those prejudices that, in many cases, only contribute to poor decisions or limit the potential of our computers.

How many times have we heard phrases like "Windows gets slow quickly," "you have to reinstall it every year," "it's too expensive a system," or "the only way to speed up your PC is by using miracle optimizers"? Although there are personal experiences or specific problems behind these statements, most of them turn out to be false or greatly exaggerated with respect to the current reality of Windows 10 and Windows 11In this article, prepared after analyzing the key points of the best content already positioned and going into even more depth, we break down The most common false myths about Windows, explaining why you shouldn't be fooled by them and providing tips to make your experience with the operating system much more satisfying.

Myth 1: "Upgrading to Windows 11 is a big leap and a lot of hassle."

One of the most widespread fears in recent years revolves around the transition between Windows 10 and Windows 11. The fear of losing compatibility or having to adapt to a radically different environment has prevented many users from taking the plunge.

The reality is that switching from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is much easier than you might think. Microsoft has designed the process so that the user barely notices the change in everyday use. In fact, both systems share the same underlying architecture, ensuring that 99,7% of applications compatible with Windows 10 are also compatible with Windows 11, according to official Microsoft data.

It's not true that you're forced to work in the cloud or lose essential features. You may notice some minor loss of productivity during the first few days as you get used to the new interface, but this is temporary and doesn't pose a real obstacle for most users.

Myth 2: "Windows becomes slower and slower, eventually becoming unusable."

This belief, inherited from older versions (Windows 95, 98, XP, etc.), is very outdated. Considering responsible use and good maintenance practices, modern versions of Windows, especially since Windows 7 and especially Windows 10 and 11, they can last for years running smoothly.

Why do some computers become slow? It's usually due to the uncontrolled installation of unnecessary programs, the accumulation of junk software, malware, incorrect configurations or simply very old hardware unable to keep pace with software evolution. If you take care of your equipment, only install what you need and keep the system updated (but not compulsively), performance should not degrade noticeably with There.

• Keep your programs organized, uninstall what you don't use, and clean up Temporary files occasionally.
• Avoid installing cracks, activators, or programs from dubious sources: this is the biggest source of performance and security issues.
• Do not abuse the so-called "miracle optimizers" (See more about virtual RAM management) (we will see why later).

Myth 3: "Windows requires ultra-powerful computers to run well."

Many people believe that each new version of Windows requires more powerful hardware, and that only the latest processors and large amounts of RAM guarantee decent usability.

The hardware demands have always been slightly increasing, but not disproportionately. Windows 10 can run perfectly on computers with relatively old processors and 4 GB of RAM. In the case of Windows 11, the initial requirements have generated some controversy due to the mandatory chip. TPM 2.0 and the restriction on supported CPU models. However, most computers manufactured in the last five years meet these requirements, incorporating integrated variants (fTPM on AMD and PTT on Intel).

Upgrading to Windows 11 is recommended if your computer supports it, but if you have more modest hardware, Windows 10 continues to work wonderfully and receives official support.

Myth 4: "Windows is very insecure against viruses and attacks"

Some people claim that Windows is a "sieve" for viruses, Trojans, and all kinds of threats. There may have been some truth to this claim in the 90s and early 2000s, but The evolution of security in Windows has been enormous:

• Since Windows 10 and 11, the operating system includes Windows Defender, an integrated security suite that offers real-time protection against malware, ransomware, spyware, and other threats.
• Automatic security updates, advanced account protection, and integration with modern hardware strengthen protection against attacks.

However, no operating system is completely immune. Windows' popularity makes it a favorite target for cybercriminals simply because of its user base, not because it's particularly vulnerable. Security depends largely on user behavior: browsing unreliable websites, installing pirate software or opening suspicious emails is the real cause of 90% of infections. In fact, in This guide on useful combinations in Windows You can learn more about built-in features to protect your computer.

Myth 5: "You have to reinstall Windows every so often to keep it running smoothly."

Reinstalling Windows every year (or even more frequently) was a very common practice in the past, but today it is unnecessary except in very specific cases.

If you experience a serious error, a hardware failure, or have a completely corrupted Windows system after years of misuse, a reinstallation may be the quickest solution, but it generally won't be necessary if you maintain basic rules of good use. Many technicians argue that on well-maintained equipment, reinstallation should be the exception, not the rule.

Microsoft itself has also enhanced features such as "system restore" and "automatic repair," making it easier to recover without erasing your entire environment.

Myth 6: "Windows is very expensive and it's better to use pirated Windows."

Another classic: the prohibitive price of a Windows license This leads many users to consider using illegal copies or activators of dubious origin. This situation was more prevalent in the 90s and early 2000s, but has changed radically today.

There are fully legal OEM licenses at very affordable prices (between 12 and 20 euros). These licenses allow activate windows no restrictions, receive all updates and support, and avoid the enormous security risks associated with pirated software.

Using genuine Windows ensures:

• Automatic updates and no fear of losing activation.
• Access to official Microsoft support.
• Compatibility without surprises when upgrading to higher versions.
• Avoid malware infections and unpleasant surprises from activators and cracks.

Furthermore, when most new computers are purchased, the license fee is usually included in the total cost, which refutes the notion that "Windows comes free."

Myth 7: "Optimizers and accelerators improve Windows performance."

A multitude of applications and "magic cleaners" are proliferating online, promising to leave your Windows like new, speed up your computer, free up memory, and automatically fix errors. However, The indiscriminate use of these programs is often counterproductive:

• Some may manipulate the registry, disable key services, or even delete important files, causing instability.
• The registry cleaning or defragmentation feature, a task that Windows does itself, provides no real improvement and can cause more problems than benefits.
• Defragment disks SSD with third-party programs is a bad idea, as it reduces their lifespan without providing performance benefits.

It's best not to obsess over compulsive optimization and, if necessary, use only tools built into Windows.

Myth 8: "Disabling SuperFetch, defragmenting SSDs, or cleaning the registry improves system speed."

SuperFetch (now known as SysMain) is a technology that optimizes RAM management by anticipating which programs you're going to use. Disabling it may cause longer loading times in frequently used applications., so it should only be done if you are experiencing very specific problems and know exactly what you are changing.

Defragmenting an SSD, as we've already said, is a mistake: unlike mechanical hard drives, SSDs don't need to reorganize information for faster access, and each defragmentation process shortens their lifespan.

As for the record, Windows already performs its own optimization and cleaning processes; using external programs to manipulate it is far more dangerous than useful.If there is serious corruption, the system itself incorporates automatic routines to repair it or restore a previous copy.

Myth 9: "Windows is easier to use and manage than other systems, such as Linux."

The ease of use of Windows has been its greatest strength for many years, especially compared to text-based systems like the early GNU/Linux. However, Today the difference in usability between Windows and many popular distributions of Linux is minimalThe arrival of graphical interfaces such as GNOME, KDE or Xfce has made the learning curve for Linux similar to that of Windows.

In fact, when errors or unexpected situations arise, the supposed "ease" of Windows fades and technical assistance may be required, while Linux usually has more documentation and community support. Furthermore, Managing large systems can be more cost-effective and predictable in Linux or Unix-based environments than in Windows, especially because of the stability and the ability to upgrade without frequent reboots..

Myth 10: "Windows has always been better because it's the most used"

The argument that popularity is synonymous with quality is widespread: "If 90% of computers use Windows, it must be the best." However, Windows market share is driven by both technical reasons and business issues, licensing agreements and marketing strategies. monopoly debated for decades.

Just because Coca-Cola is the best-selling beverage doesn't mean it's the best in terms of nutritional quality, and the same is true of Windows: its dominance is due to a combination of technical, economic, and commercial factors, not just to intrinsic product superiority.

Myth 11: "Every new version of Windows is always better than the previous one."

The history of Windows is filled with highly successful versions and others that generated enormous backlash. Examples like Windows Vista and Windows 8 demonstrate that introducing major changes without taking into account the user experience can backfire.

Each new version usually requires more resources and is optimized for recent hardware, which can affect performance on older computers.If we notice an improvement in performance, it's usually due to a hardware upgrade, not just a change in operating system.

It's not advisable to install a new version just because you think it will "run better": first analyze your needs and resources before making the jump.

Myth 12: "Windows is more secure because it has fewer documented vulnerabilities."

There is a belief that, because security reports typically show fewer patched vulnerabilities on Windows than on some Linux systems, Microsoft's is more secure. But The number of patches released only indicates how many bugs have been fixed (and made public), not how many actually exist.Additionally, security patches for Linux distributions tend to be much more transparent and cover many more different software packages.

In practice, security depends primarily on the speed with which vulnerabilities are fixed and the ability to detect attacks, not just the number of known flaws.

Myth 13: "Installing programs on Windows is always easy and safe, unlike on Linux."

Another common belief is that installing software in Windows is simple because everything follows the same "next, next, accept" process, while in Linux you need to resort to the console or advanced knowledge.

This is false. Although Windows has historically been easy to install, The proliferation of pirated programs, cracks, serials and different installers makes it increasingly risky and less standardized.. Additionally, anyone can install anything (even a minor) if the account has administrator rights, increasing the risk of infection.

On the contrary, Linux has popularized centralized repositories for years, where you can install thousands of free programs, without licenses or cracks, and with the security that only the administrator user or root may authorize the installation.

Myth 14: "Most viruses are Windows' fault"

It's true that most malware is designed with Windows in mind, but that's mainly because it's the most widely used operating system. However, The user is largely responsible: downloading files from dubious sources, opening phishing emails or installing cracks is what puts your computer at risk.Windows, for several versions now, has had fairly robust protection by default.

Myth 15: “Bill Gates invented Windows (and the PC, and the Internet…)”

Many people think that Bill Gates was the creator of Windows, the PC, and even the Internet. The truth is that, although he was key to Microsoft's founding and success, The development of Windows built on previous ideas and technologies, such as the graphical user interface (GUI) first popularized by Apple, which in turn was inspired by Xerox PARCGates saw the opportunity and adapted existing concepts, but he didn't invent them.

Other computer myths related to Windows and its environment

• "There is no risk if you remove a USB without ejecting it": USB devices are not physically damaged if you remove them without using the "Safely Remove Hardware" option. as long as they are not transferring dataIf you remove a USB during copying, you may lose data.
• "If my PC is slow, it probably has a virus": Slowness can be due to many causes (cluttering programs, temporary files, lack of RAM, age, etc.). There's no need to obsess over antivirus software if your computer is simply overloaded.
• "Windows comes free with the purchase of a PC": The license fee is included in the cost of the computer; it's not a gift from Microsoft.

Most of the myths that haunt Windows come from a lack of technical knowledge, negative personal experiences, or outdated ideas that have been outdated for years.Microsoft's operating system has evolved significantly in terms of security, performance, and ease of use, although there is still room for improvement.

The key to a good Windows experience is to stay informed, use your computer responsibly, rely on official sources for updates, and avoid shortcuts or magic solutions. If you understand the system's real limits and capabilities, you'll avoid problems and get much more out of your PC.

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Isaac

Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.