The Ultimate FAQ for Microsoft (R) Windows, Version 4.2e

McAfee-Question : Is Windows a Virus ?

No, Windows is not a Virus. Here's what does that...

1) They replicate quickly - Okay, Windows does that.

2) Viruses use up valuable system resources, slowing down the
system as they do so - Okay, Windows does that.

3) Viruses will, from time to time, trash your hard disk - Okay,
Windows does that too.

4) Viruses are usualy carried, unknown to the user, along with
valuable programs and systems. Sigh... Windows does that, too.

5) Viruses will occasionally make the user suspect their system is
too slow (see 2) and the user will buy new hardware to improve
speed. Yup, that's with Windows too.


Until now it seems that Windows is a Virus, but there are fundamental diferences :

Viruses are well supported by their authors; they are running on most systems;
their program code is fast, compact and efficient; and they tend to become more sophistcated as they mature.


So Windows is not a virus. It's a bug.