The desktop hasn't really taken over the world like Linux has in many other areas, but just looking at my own use, my desktop looks so much better than I ever could have imagined. Despite the fact that I'm known for sometimes not being very polite to some of the desktop UI people, because I want to get my work done. Pretty is not my primary thing. I actually am very happy with the Linux desktop, and I started the project for my own needs, and my needs are very much fulfilled. That's why, to me, it's not a failure. I would obviously love for Linux to take over that world too, but it turns out it's a really hard area to enter. I'm still working on it. It's been 25 years. I can do this for another 25. I'll wear them down.
[Torvalds, Linus (2016-04-07). Linus Torvalds still wants Linux to take over the desktop. Retrieved on 2016-04-07.](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Linus_Torvalds)
I don't think desktop Linux will ever become huge if it stays like it is right now. It can become a technically superior product (including support for/by most commonly used software), but even that is completely worthless if it's not pushed onto people very aggressively. It only has a chance when it comes preinstalled as the default option on many mainstream laptops/desktops and with large companies doing tons of advertising for their devices/OSes. If that doesn't happen, it will never grow beyond nerd circles, regardless of how good it may be.
Well, I guess it doesn't. I don't like Microsofts approach, but if you want to get anywhere near "mass adoption" I think it's pretty much the only way. Most of my relatives hate computers, they actively avoid using them unless it's really necessary or if they try to watch a movie. They want to never have to think about computers or anything related to it, and as an extension of that they don't want choice in their software, because choosing something means thinking about it. These kinds of people will never dare to even think about installing another OS, even if I would do it for them. They most likely don't even know what an OS is. The iPhone is so popular because, not despite, it gives the user so few choices. Just buy the latest iPhone and you'll get by for a few years, no thought required. That's what people want