linuxmemes

Back in the 90s, before the DOJ v Microsoft antitrust trial, Microsoft's licensing terms with OEMs required them to pay MS for every unit sold — even units that did not come with Windows. This meant that if Dell or HP or whoever wanted to offer Linux as an option, they'd still need to pay Microsoft for Windows or else lose the ability to sell Windows at all. It made no sense to offer Linux PCs at that point.

Just one of many many examples of Microsoft's illegal anti-competitive behaviors.