Attendees gather in advance of Microsoft Build on Monday in Seattle. (GeekWire Photo / Todd Bishop) Microsoft is taking the next step in its journey to put Windows back at the center of computing.

Choosing an operating system in 2026 requires more thought than ever. Windows, macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS each offer unique strengths in hardware compatibility, software support, and user experience.

With Windows 10 set to reach its end of life later this year, Microsoft has been taking every opportunity to heavily push Windows 11 as the only upgrade path for users. The latest operating system ...