<P> The Linux kernel originated in 1991, as a project of Linus Torvalds, while a university student in Finland . He posted information about his project on a newsgroup for computer students and programmers, and received support and assistance from volunteers who succeeded in creating a complete and functional kernel . </P> <P> Linux is Unix - like, but was developed without any Unix code, unlike BSD and its variants . Because of its open license model, the Linux kernel code is available for study and modification, which resulted in its use on a wide range of computing machinery from supercomputers to smart - watches . Although estimates suggest that Linux is used on only 1.82% of all "desktop" (or laptop) PCs, it has been widely adopted for use in servers and embedded systems such as cell phones . Linux has superseded Unix on many platforms and is used on most supercomputers including the top 385 . Many of the same computers are also on Green500 (but in different order), and Linux runs on the top 10 . Linux is also commonly used on other small energy - efficient computers, such as smartphones and smartwatches . The Linux kernel is used in some popular distributions, such as Red Hat, Debian, Ubuntu, Linux Mint and Google's Android, Chrome OS, and Chromium OS . </P> <P> Microsoft Windows is a family of proprietary operating systems designed by Microsoft Corporation and primarily targeted to Intel architecture based computers, with an estimated 88.9 percent total usage share on Web connected computers . The latest version is Windows 10 . </P> <P> In 2011, Windows 7 overtook Windows XP as most common version in use . </P>

Identify tasks we can do with the os