Zorin OS 18, a Linux distribution designed to resemble Windows, has reached 2 million downloads in under three months since its release. The launch coincided with Microsoft's end of support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, prompting many users to explore alternatives to upgrading to Windows 11. Over 75% of downloads, or at least 1.5 million, came from Windows users facing hardware compatibility issues.
Zorin OS 18 was released on October 14, 2025, the same day Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 10. This timing drove significant interest, with developers announcing 2 million downloads in less than three months. More than three quarters originated from Windows users (at least 1.5 million) curious about switching rather than facing Windows 11's strict requirements like TPM 2.0 and newer CPUs, which render many older devices obsolete.
Zorin OS appeals to Windows defectors with its user-friendly design: a default desktop mimicking Windows, pre-installed common software, graphical settings minimizing command-line use, and a compatibility layer for Windows apps. It supports hardware up to 15 years old, reducing upgrade costs and frustrations from Windows prompts deeming devices unsupported.
Unlike Windows, Linux distributions like Zorin emphasize broad compatibility without bundling security with forced upgrades. This marks the project's largest release. While downloads don't guarantee installations or retention, they signal rising Linux interest amid Windows 10's retirement and Windows 11 barriers. Steam reports Linux at 3.58% of users (up 0.38% monthly), versus Windows' 94.23%. Microsoft's AI features and ads have fueled dissatisfaction, boosting Linux's desktop ecosystem.