Computer Help and Support

usonian

(22,666 posts) Mon Nov 3, 2025, 11:21 AM Nov 3

Zorin OS 18 (Linux) Downloads Skyrocket, and more than 70% came from Windows (Oct 18, 2025)

https://linuxiac.com/zorin-os-18-downloads-skyrocket-in-the-last-48-hours/

Over 100K users downloaded Zorin OS 18 in 48 hours, and more than 70% came from Windows, possibly driven by the end of Windows 10 support.

Over the past few years, the Ubuntu-based Zorin OS has rightfully earned its place among the top desktop Linux distributions, especially for its clean, polished, and user-friendly design, giving a great user experience.

It’s built mainly with newcomers in mind—particularly those considering making the jump from Windows to Linux—purposefully providing a desktop that feels comfortably familiar to anyone used to Windows.

As we informed you, the latest Zorin OS 18 release landed just a few days ago. And whether by coincidence or clever timing, it was announced on October 14—the very same day Microsoft ended support for Windows 10. The message couldn’t be clearer: Windows users, Zorin OS is ready to welcome you.

Why am I saying this? In a recent social media post, the Zorin OS team shared an impressive milestone — in less than 48 hours, Zorin OS 18 has been downloaded over 100K times, and that number keeps climbing, making it, in Zorin’s words, “our biggest launch ever.”

Linux "Mint", also based on Ubuntu Linux is very popular and friendly.

My brother, the least techie person in the world, got tired of every Windows update breaking his drivers, which he had to reinstall, so he ended up with a Dell Ubuntu Linux system (available only online), set up and supported. After recommending some office and photo management apps, he hasn't asked for help in years.

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Zorin OS 18 (Linux) Downloads Skyrocket, and more than 70% came from Windows (Oct 18, 2025) (Original Post) usonian Nov 3 OP

I have a bricked Windows system, and one stalled for updates bucolic_frolic Nov 3 #1

I posted some help earlier. usonian Nov 3 #2

Interesting link, but maybe not the one you intended. eppur_se_muova Nov 9 #8

Here's a little info. (not much) usonian Nov 9 #10

Thanks, that led me to https://linuxconfig.org/best-linux-distro-how-to-choose-guide-for-every-user eppur_se_muova Nov 9 #11

Computing power has risen so high there is more freedom to not have to go stripped down IbogaProject Nov 9 #12

I left Windoze years ago Jilly_in_VA Nov 3 #3

I mostly use Firefox on mac. usonian Nov 3 #4

I used Firefox Jilly_in_VA Nov 3 #5

suprising, in good kind of way Eugene Nov 3 #6

I was really impressed by Zorin OS back 20 years ago IbogaProject Nov 4 #7

Thanks for the reminder. I need to d/l the latest distro of Zorin. eppur_se_muova Nov 9 #9

bucolic_frolic

(53,402 posts)

1. I have a bricked Windows system, and one stalled for updates

Reply to usonian (Original post)

Mon Nov 3, 2025, 11:42 AM

Nov 3

I think there is not sufficient room to upgrade the stalled one. They sold these Win11S systems which could be upgraded to full Win11, but the small systems only had 64GB static storage. Not sure what to do with it. An older upscale laptop has some appeal for durability and installing Linux on it since Linux can also be booted off a USB thumb drive, saved files stored on the same stick. I'm thinking totally portable LibreOffice.

ZORIN I will have to check out, thanks for the heads up!!!!!!!

usonian

(22,666 posts)

2. I posted some help earlier.

Reply to bucolic_frolic (Reply #1)

Mon Nov 3, 2025, 12:03 PM

Nov 3

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1095&pid=37332

There are really small linux distros that will work fine on very low memory hardware.

Hope this helps.

Libre Office, Thunderbird or other, and some photo program (Shotwell?) plus Seashore and Gimp (Seashore is a simplified GIMP) will cover most photo editing (and fun meme creation) needs. (1) There are even raw photo editors, DarkTable and RawTherapee. Use Signal for messaging. It's secure. I wish more friends of mine would use it.

(1)
Just posted.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=3558347

eppur_se_muova

(40,575 posts)

8. Interesting link, but maybe not the one you intended.

Reply to usonian (Reply #2)

Sun Nov 9, 2025, 11:40 AM

Nov 9

I'm out of date, bigly. Are Puppy Linux and Knoppix still maintained ?

I can't remember the name of the distro that boots off a 3" CD ... the "shirt pocket" CD for computer lab admins. IIRC the interface was CLI, not GUI.

usonian

(22,666 posts)

10. Here's a little info. (not much)

Reply to eppur_se_muova (Reply #8)

Sun Nov 9, 2025, 12:24 PM

Nov 9

Here's a review of Puppy. Seems updated.
https://linuxconfig.org/puppy-linux-download

Knoppix has not been updated since 9.1
I try to email Klaus, even asking what we can do to help it advance, but he seems real busy and I got no reply. Yet.

Others
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/linux-distro-space/

Perhaps you are referring to tiny core?
The article says that Puppy can come in at 300MB or so. Depends on the base, I guess.

eppur_se_muova

(40,575 posts)

11. Thanks, that led me to https://linuxconfig.org/best-linux-distro-how-to-choose-guide-for-every-user

Reply to usonian (Reply #10)

Sun Nov 9, 2025, 01:47 PM

Nov 9

https://linuxconfig.org/best-linux-distro-how-to-choose-guide-for-every-user

tiny core *sounds* possible, but it's been a loooooooong time ...

IbogaProject

(5,459 posts)

12. Computing power has risen so high there is more freedom to not have to go stripped down

Reply to eppur_se_muova (Reply #11)

Sun Nov 9, 2025, 02:25 PM

Nov 9

Only going back more than 10 years needs any care to find a lightweight distro nowadays.

Jilly_in_VA

(13,592 posts)

3. I left Windoze years ago

Reply to usonian (Original post)

Mon Nov 3, 2025, 12:22 PM

Nov 3

when my now-husband gave me a Mac for my birthday. I had been using Opera on my other computer anyway. When I got my Mac I used Safari for awhile but I was never really happy with it. For about 9 years I've been using Vivaldi, which is from the same company that made Opera, and I'm quite happy with it except for the fact that any time I mention it to someplace like my bank they go "WHA?"

usonian

(22,666 posts)

4. I mostly use Firefox on mac.

Reply to Jilly_in_VA (Reply #3)

Mon Nov 3, 2025, 12:38 PM

Nov 3

I loaded up a ton of extensions. I want the internet MY WAY!

I used Opera for a while, for the built-in "almost VPN". Interestingly, I got safari, Opera and Firefox all to work with the GhostText extension that mirrors the text box (one of which I'm typing in right now) in one of several text editors, that preserve the text when a network slowdown loses all my typing when I go to preview or post. The text editor never loses the content.

I use safari for fussy websites that trip all over extensions because it's real easy to turn them all off just for that site.

As more sites get blocked, presumably by takedowns, I am using Tor more.

Happy computing.

All the old macs, less one I use for ancient software, are getting linux. It's real easy on Intel CPU's. Only one PPC model left.

Jilly_in_VA

(13,592 posts)

5. I used Firefox

Reply to usonian (Reply #4)

Mon Nov 3, 2025, 01:20 PM

Nov 3

on Windoze before I found Opera. The rest is history.

Eugene

(66,619 posts)

6. suprising, in good kind of way

Reply to usonian (Original post)

Mon Nov 3, 2025, 02:23 PM

Nov 3

I was expecting more users who won't fork over $$$ for a new PC to stick with Windows 10 until key apps stop running on it.

That end of life message got through to consumers more than I thought.

IbogaProject

(5,459 posts)

7. I was really impressed by Zorin OS back 20 years ago

Reply to usonian (Original post)

Tue Nov 4, 2025, 10:23 PM

Nov 4

Zorin OS was part of the early easy to use cohort, Linux Mint and Ubuntu itself are also part of that group. Any of those three would be good starts for a Windows refugee. Zorin's strength is being setup with tools to make running a windows app as easy as can be. That would only matter if there isn't a native linux version of the specific software.

I have flitted from Windows to Mac to Linux to some times on windows recently. The last time I got into trouble with an intel firmware update I tried MX Linux and while it didn't fix the hardware issue I have stuck with it. It has now followed me through a few subsequent machines via just moving the Nvme SSD onto the next one. I think I'm coming on three years now.

eppur_se_muova

(40,575 posts)

9. Thanks for the reminder. I need to d/l the latest distro of Zorin.

Reply to usonian (Original post)

Sun Nov 9, 2025, 11:43 AM

Nov 9

I have a SSD that needs replacing due to strange behavior. Might as well try Zorin on the new replacement.

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