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LVZ

(1,001 posts) Thu Dec 4, 2025, 08:15 PM 2 hrs ago

Windows 10 end-of-life (October 2025) - Zorin Linux had a million downloads last month

Windows 10 reached official end-of-life in October - no more support, no more security updates, etc.

With over 1 million downloads last month, a lot of folks who cannot or do not want to "upgrade" to Windows 11 are taking a look at Zorin 18 Linux as a replacement. Zorin is geared specifically as an easy free transition from Windows.

https://www.linux-magazine.com/Online/News/Zorin-OS-18-Hits-over-a-Million-Downloads

I actually moved full-time from Windows to Linux years ago when my older notebook failed to update from Windows 7 to 10.

Since I am not a Linux newbie, I prefer the KDE flavor of Linux instead of Zorin's Ubuntu/Gnome path.

Two new (KDE flavor) Linux distributions, MX 25 KDE (Debian) and Ultramarine 43 KDE (Fedora) you might try:

images from video https://1-DOT.com/poplinks/KDE-2026

4 replies

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Windows 10 end-of-life (October 2025) - Zorin Linux had a million downloads last month (Original Post) LVZ 2 hrs ago OP

When I stopped using Linux, the market share was at about 10%. Sector 001 2 hrs ago #1

I love Unix / Linux and have worked with both but only on back-end systems. LastDemocratInSC 1 hr ago #3

A few Linux distros ... LVZ 1 hr ago #4

Linux "desktop" market share has never been at 10%, however .. LVZ 2 hrs ago #2

Sector 001

(130 posts)

1. When I stopped using Linux, the market share was at about 10%.

Reply to LVZ (Original post)

Thu Dec 4, 2025, 08:36 PM

2 hrs ago

The numbers have been dropping steadily every year.

https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/desktop/worldwide/#monthly-202411-202511-bar

LastDemocratInSC

(4,196 posts)

3. I love Unix / Linux and have worked with both but only on back-end systems.

Reply to Sector 001 (Reply #1)

Thu Dec 4, 2025, 09:22 PM

1 hr ago

My UI / front-end experience has been exclusively in Windows with MS products. That sense of Unix / Linux on the back-end and Windows ?? on the front seems to be the norm these days. I haven't seen a Linux GUI environment in a long time but would be happy if the "user experience" is similar to that of Windows.

Any suggestions on a Linux distribution I should try?

LVZ

(1,001 posts)

4. A few Linux distros ...

Reply to LastDemocratInSC (Reply #3)

Thu Dec 4, 2025, 09:52 PM

1 hr ago

1. 2nd most Windows-like? -- https://zorin.com/os/download/18/core/ based on Ubuntu

2. Developed by Microsoft engineer -- https://www.anduinos.com/ based on Ubuntu

3. Popular / innovative but transitioning -- https://system76.com/pop/ based on Ubuntu
... wait until December 11 for first "official" LTS "Cosmic" release

4. Often recommended (not by me) -- https://linuxmint.com/download.php based on Ubuntu

5. My current Linux KDE distro -- https://mxlinux.org/download-links (based on Debian)

6. Ultramarine 43 KDE -- https://ultramarine-linux.org/download (KDE Plasma based on Fedora)

watch YouTube video for #5 and #6

LVZ

(1,001 posts)

2. Linux "desktop" market share has never been at 10%, however ..

Reply to LVZ (Original post)

Thu Dec 4, 2025, 08:50 PM

2 hrs ago

Linux "desktop" use has been on the rise, especially among gamers

Linux web server market share 77%
Linux supercomputer market share 100%
Android (based on Linux) smartphone market share 70%

https://www.zdnet.com/article/think-linux-desktop-market-share-isnt-over-6-this-15-million-system-scan-says-otherwise/

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