Windows as an operating system on hosting servers is really something that must be considered by those who are interested in having a wide range of licensed and well designed options for their hosting.  The Windows based web hosting is really supposed to be a simple solution for hosting that makes it possible for higher compatibility between software, hardware and much more.

The Windows based library of software will have large names in the industry which can be trusted for website development.  Windows is widely used around the world and has decent amounts of security and accessibility.  The way that servers work with a Windows based operating system on board are usually efficient and can provide flexibility in a variety of different ways.  The design for hosting services that have been created with Windows is simply to allow the greatest amount of compatibility with other Windows based software solutions and hardware which was designed to function at optimum under the Windows environment.

Generally Windows Web Hosting is more expensive than Linux Web Hosting packages. Most webmaster use Windows Web Hosting to run ASP based scripts.

Windows hosting can be affordable and can offer the most up to date software options for maximum safety.  Windows based hosting solutions are often designed to be shared with a variety of other websites.  The efficiency of the servers can be managed well with advanced tools that can be used in a variety of different ways.
The security of Windows Hosting is adequate and can be made stronger with the use of a variety of additional software options.  Hosting providers will often offer antivirus and spam protection for the hosting services as well with the use of a Windows based option for web hosting.

Websites that are designed to work with .Net or Visual Basic languages are able to work with Windows hosting.  It is not possible for Linux/Unix options to be compatible with these languages.  A windows hosting service makes it genuinely possible to use Microsoft based products and services.

Microsoft hosting is generally easier to use and is in a much more familiar format for newer users to the system.  Learning new languages is not necessary and there is a large amount of supported extensions that can be used on hosting options using Windows.  Users of Microsoft Windows based software will feel at home using Windows hosting services.

Database options such as ASP and Access are simple to use and are very reliable and capable as well.  They run best on Windows based servers and do not require a large amount of work to be useable, unlike within Linux based servers.  Trying to run ASP within Linux based hosting would require a large amount of additional drivers and physical assets placed on the server before compatibility is possible.
The main reason why a Windows based hosting service is useful is ease of use and integration that any website can have.  The selection of software that is available is immense and can provide nearly everything needed to support all kinds of websites.  Hosting is not very expensive and Windows provides updates frequently to help ensure protection of the servers that are in use.

Linux web hosting and Windows web hosting are comparable, as both of them allow you to put a website online with almost no effort at all. Yet, there are some main differences between the two. Basically, neither of them is better than the other as they both present their own advantages, depending mainly on their desired application. Both of them have a series of benefits and disadvantages and the decision to use any of them should be based on your specific needs as a webmaster and in any case not on the popularity of the operating system itself. It is also true that most people are able to use a Linux web hosting plan without any major problems. On the other hand, some people might need the ability to run Windows based web applications on their servers, case in which a Linux web hosting plan would just not be enough.

Linux web hosting is better than Windows hosting when you are looking for a simple, cheap and reliable web hosting solution. For instance, if you are running a simple eCommerce website, or several blogs, you can use a Linux hosting plan without problems. A Linux hosting plan is also the perfect choice if you are on a tight budget and you do not require Windows based web applications.

As already mentioned, if you are required to run Windows applications on your server, a Windows web hosting plan would be indispensable. Any kind of serverside Microsoft product you need to run will require to be run on a Windows server, if possible on a Windows VPS. The disadvantage of a Windows server is that updates can take a long time to be released, as you have to wait till Microsoft upgrades their software. However, any bug of the Linux software can be repaired in almost no time, as it is open source software and can be fixed and improved by any developer.

After carefully analyzing the above information, you should be capable of making the right decision. If you are still experiencing problems in establishing which one is right for you, a Linux server might be the right option for you. Linux servers are more reliable, cheaper and more user-friendly than Windows web server, which turns them into the perfect solution for beginner webmasters. You could also discuss to any potential hosting companies about which one you consider that best suits your individual needs. Just tell the hosting representative the kind of business you are running, the number of sites you own and the kind of software you might require to run. Based on that information, virtually any competent service representative should be able to direct you in the right direction.