Windows-like Linux distribution claims over a million downloads in the past month for its latest build.
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(Image credit: Zorin OS) The developers of the Linux-based Zorin OS say their latest release, Zorin OS 18, has already been downloaded more than one million times , and according to telemetry, over 78% of those downloads came from Windows systems. It's not a perfect proxy for real migrations, but it's a striking data point during a moment when Microsoft 's user base is unusually restless. As Windows 10's end-of-support deadline disappears further into the rear-view mirror, many users are still weighing their options, and Zorin OS appears to be one of the biggest beneficiaries. We tested an older version of Zorin OS and it came out in first place for The Best Windows 10 Alternative Distro.
Zorin has always positioned itself as one of the most approachable Linux distributions for people who don't want to relearn their entire workflow; version 18 seemingly takes that philosophy further than ever. The developers describe it as "faster and more responsive," but the headline feature is the interface overhaul: a very familiar new layout that we'd describe as a hybrid of Windows 11 design with MacOS visual cues , including redesigned window controls, updated animations, and a more modern overall layout. The system also introduces Windows-style window tiling, fully integrated and accessible without add-ons—something even many other Linux desktops still treat as an optional experiment.
It's not just aesthetics, though. Zorin OS 18 expands beyond the usual Windows-to-Linux migration checklist by leaning heavily into web-app integration. The new Progressive Web App installer allows users to "install" services like Office 365, Teams, Google Docs, or even Photoshop Web as if they were native applications, with icons in the app grid and no need to keep a browser tab open. Combined with built-in OneDrive file-system integration, the distribution goes further than most to accommodate Windows users.
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Indeed, compatibility remains a major part of Zorin's pitch, and the developers say Windows software support has been improved again in this release. It still relies on Wine and related compatibility layers behind the scenes, of course, but user-facing defaults and configuration have been refined so more Windows applications run out of the box without manual tweaking. It also helps that Linux gaming — once a punchline — has had a few years of rapid progress thanks to Valve's work on Proton . Zorin OS isn't a gaming-focused distribution, but the broader ecosystem shift makes the idea of leaving Windows a lot less intimidating than it used to be for most folks.
The latest Zorin OS release introduces a handful of quality-of-life improvements too. A new Search Everywhere function in the Files app makes deep file navigation less cumbersome. RDP remote-login support is now integrated, which is particularly relevant for business users who still need to reach Windows machines. Bluetooth audio benefits from the move to the PipeWire audio stack, which improves latency and codec quality compared to older Linux audio stacks. Finally, because this is designated a Long Term Support release, updates are guaranteed until 2029, giving users a predictable upgrade horizon.
Linux isn't on the verge of overtaking Windows on the desktop, but the trajectory is shifting. Between a newly energized Linux gaming ecosystem, the growth of SteamOS-based devices , and distributions like Zorin aiming directly at dissatisfied Windows users, the traditional barriers look weaker than they've been basically since Windows 95. If Microsoft's bet is that its user base will simply absorb the transition to Windows 11, Zorin OS' numbers hint at a different possibility: a slow but steady siphoning of users who've finally decided that enough is enough, and that they're willing to give another operating system their time.
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Reference reading
- https://www.tomshardware.com/software/linux/SPONSORED_LINK_URL
- https://www.tomshardware.com/software/linux/in-the-wake-of-windows-10-eol-over-780-000-windows-users-skip-11-for-linux-says-zorin-os-developers-distro-hits-unprecedented-1-million-downloads-in-five-weeks#main
- https://www.tomshardware.com
- In wake of Windows 10 retirement, over 780,000 Windows users skip Win 11 for Linux, says Zorin OS developers — distro hits unprecedented 1 million downloads in
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