"Firstly, Linux can boot from a CD or memory stick without having to modify the hard disk in any way at all. You just can't do this with Microsoft Windows. You can't find or make a Windows CD that boots and runs on most any hardware, operating solely in RAM and off the CD.

"Straight away this makes Linux a natural choice for troubleshooting systems. Even if you boot Windows into safe mode there are still files which are locked and can’t be replaced, or faulty hardware drivers used. You simply can't get a pure, clean, totally isolated system under Windows unless you physically remove the hard drive and insert it into another computer which is not always an option.