Nov 26, 2025 09:40:00

With Windows 10 support ending, users are choosing Linux over Windows 11. Zorin OS 18 achieves 1 million downloads within a month of its release.

Support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025. While

Extended Security Updates (ESUs) are available, Microsoft recommends migrating to Windows 11. Meanwhile, the developers of the Linux distribution Zorin OS revealed that the latest version, Zorin OS 18, has been downloaded 1 million times in the month since its release, with over 78% of downloads coming from Windows users.

Test the Upgrade From Zorin OS 17 to 18 & Celebrating 1 Million Downloads of Zorin OS 18 - Zorin
https://blog.zorin.com/2025/11/18/test-the-upgrade-from-zorin-os-17-to-18-and-celebrating-1-million-downloads-of-zorin-os-18/

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 five weeks | Tom's Hardware

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

Zorin OS positions itself as 'the Linux distribution for people who don't want to relearn their entire workflow,' and news site Tom's Hardware reports that the latest version, Zorin OS 18, released in October 2025, takes this philosophy even further.

According to Zorin OS, Zorin OS 18 achieved a record-breaking 1 million downloads within a month of its release. Over 78% of these downloads were from Windows users. Zorin OS stated, 'This influx of new users reflects our mission to provide a better alternative to Big Tech's existing operating systems.'

One possible factor behind this increase in new users is the end of support for Windows 10 in October 2025. According to monthly data from the statistics website StatCounter, Windows 10's market share fell below that of Windows 11 in May 2025, and even as of September 2025, one month before support ended, it maintained a 35.43% market share.

Windows 10 is still being used by 40% of Windows PCs even before support ends - GIGAZINE

The key feature of Zorin OS is its compatibility. It focuses on integrating web apps, allowing users to install apps like Office 365 and Microsoft Teams using the Progressive Web App installer. Apps like Google Docs and Photoshop can be used like native applications. Zorin OS 18, in particular, promises improved support for Windows software.

Tom's Hardware notes that while Linux isn't on track to overtake Windows, the barriers to catching up are the lowest they've been since Windows 95, thanks to the resurgence of Linux gaming systems , the growth of SteamOS-powered devices, and the existence of distributions like Zorin OS that directly target disgruntled Windows users.