- Linux distributions struggle with long-term binary compatibility, unlike Windows which maintains support for decades-old software.
- Software distribution on Linux relies heavily on distro-specific packages or cumbersome solutions like Flatpaks/Snaps/AppImages, which act as lightweight VMs but don't fully solve compatibility issues.
- The Linux kernel's monolithic nature means driver updates require full kernel updates, potentially introducing regressions, and there's no universally stable kernel version for desktops.
- Linux lacks native, user-friendly file sharing comparable to Windows; Samba is complex to configure, and alternatives like SSHFS/NFS are not intuitive for average users.
- Hardware support on Linux is often delayed, especially for new devices, due to reliance on kernel versions and limited OEM driver development compared to Windows.
- Desktop Linux suffers from underfunding, leading to persistent bugs in audio/video subsystems and fewer native applications, especially AAA games.
- Security updates in Linux depend on volunteer packagers, causing delays, and default distros may not meet enterprise needs like centralized management or stable APIs.
- The Linux community can be unwelcoming to newcomers, often responding to issues with suggestions to use the command line or switch distributions rather than providing accessible solutions.