When you run ps on Cygwin on Windows you are seeing the actual Windows processes, everything you do in the shell is on the Windows machine. Without Cygwin; Wind

When you run ps on Cygwin on Windows you are seeing the actual Windows processes, everything you do in the shell is on the Windows machine. Without Cygwin; Windows IMHO is nowhere near as friendly, at the CLI. I can completely get along fine on Windows without Cygwin (when I have to run Windows) but it makes the experience tolerable to have it. It makes Windows like Linux at the CLI.