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.
