Will linux ever compete with windows in terms of users?

How do you count users? Desktop only? Servers? In the US only? World wide? The windows desktop is pervasive, but it is not the only choice. Linux and apple Mac do provide competition. Will either replace Windows as the desktop leader? I am not sure. I am not even sure the question is important in the long term. How humans interact with computers may be completely different in just a few years. "The Desktop" could go the way of the dinasour.

Linux and opensource have changed the face of computing forever. I do expect that OpenSource software will be impactful for a many decades to come. I am not as sure the Windows will be as long lived.

I think once a version gets release with a simple user interface then yes. Also once it gets better support for video games and the ability to update with out a major hasle then it will definitely overtake windows.

i am not a professional in this domain but I believe that once manufacturers will provide Linux drivers for modem, printer, scanner .... then it will surely help spreading linux in a smoother way. Until then, no they will never compete

not likely because windows has dominated the market and so much software runs on it. Its "ease of use" and what is now the most familiar GUI (graphical User Interface). It would be very hard for anyone to catch up.

the point is not if it will or not ? :) it has already shifted the paradigm as far as operating systems go. solaris now free. it will not be wrong to assume that one day even microsoft will start distributing its systems for free.

Nope; Sorry

what's linux?

i.e. "no"