The end of support for Windows 10 has opened a clear path for anyone who can’t—or doesn’t want to—move to Windows 11. Stricter hardware requirements, perfectly serviceable PCs left behind by TPM 2.0 and CPU lists, and a user experience that doesn’t appeal to everyone have pushed thousands to try Linux. The clearest signal comes from Zorin OS: its latest release, Zorin OS 18, has surpassed 1,000,000 downloads in five weeks, and according to its telemetry, 78% originated from Windows machines. That’s not a one-to-one proxy for full migrations, but it is a telling thermometer of changing sentiment.
Windows 10, launched in 2015, stopped receiving security updates in October 2025 (unless users pay for ESU, the Extended Security Updates program). Microsoft has been steering users toward Windows 11, but the new system arrives with technical demands that sideline millions of otherwise capable computers. For those not planning a hardware refresh soon, the crossroads are clear: pay for ESU, accept the risks of an unpatched system… or explore alternatives.
Why now: less friction to “land” on Linux
For years, switching to Linux often meant relearning habits and accepting compromises. Today, much of that barrier has fallen. Zorin OS is a prime example: version 18 adopts a familiar layout for Windows users—start/search in the left corner, a taskbar with pinned apps, and a recognizable system tray—wrapped in a modern look and feel. The promise is simple: feel “at home” on day one.
It’s not just about looks. Zorin OS 18 leans into the modern workflow with a Progressive Web App installer that lets you “install” Microsoft 365, Teams, Google Docs, or Photoshop Web as if they were native apps, with their own icons and windows. OneDrive integrates directly into the file manager. On Windows software, compatibility via Wine is improved and defaults are tuned so more programs work out of the box. For business and remote work, native RDP support is included, and on multimedia the move to PipeWire brings lower latency and better Bluetooth audio. It’s also an LTS release with updates guaranteed through 2029, a support horizon that inspires confidence.
None of this makes Zorin OS the only gateway to Linux, but it explains why so many users are at least testing it. Many start with a live USB—no changes to the disk—then, if it fits, they proceed to a clean install or dual boot for a gradual transition.
The cost of staying put… and the cost of moving to Windows 11
Sticking with unpatched Windows 10 isn’t free: it raises the risk of security incidents, compliance failures, and downtime that can become expensive. But moving to Windows 11 also has a cost: incompatible PCs due to the CPU list and TPM rules that force premature hardware upgrades, plus a learning curve some would rather avoid. That’s where Linux—and Zorin OS in particular—offers a third way: keep the existing PC, reduce license spend, and retain a stable, well-supported desktop if your needs fit.
Is everything perfect? No. If PC gaming is the top priority, Zorin OS isn’t “gamer-first,” even though the broader Linux ecosystem has dramatically improved thanks to Steam + Proton. In those cases, many choose dual boot or a gaming-focused distro while awaiting SteamOS for PCs. For highly specific Windows-only software, test first (live mode, VM) and consider native alternatives or the web versions.
What users gain by trying Linux today
The most valuable short-term gain is choice. Trying Linux in 2025 isn’t a leap into the unknown: you get familiar interfaces, tight integration with cloud services most people already use, and support timelines comparable to a Windows “long” release. For offices and SMBs, the combo of PWAs + web suites + RDP covers a large share of daily tasks. For personal use, browsing, office work, media, and communications work without hacks.
Another plus is efficiency. Many distributions—including Zorin—run lighter than a Windows 11 install with an active background-service load. On older hardware, that difference is tangible: fewer 100% disk spikes, calmer fans, and a stronger sense of responsiveness in everyday tasks.
A weekend-friendly plan
For anyone behind the Windows 10 deadline, technicians’ advice is nearly universal: back up, create a live USB, and take your time. A single weekend is enough to try Zorin OS safely, check peripherals (printers, scanners, Wi-Fi), sign into everyday services, and decide calmly whether to install or coexist with Windows for a while. If the PC won’t pass Windows 11’s checks and a new machine isn’t in the cards, that trial can save months of uncertainty—and a few nasty surprises.
Meanwhile, Microsoft will keep pushing Windows 11 and offering ESU to those who pay to prolong Windows 10. But Zorin OS’s numbers suggest a different trend: more people are willing to invest time in an alternative. It won’t flip the desktop share overnight; it does signal a gradual shift that, for the first time in a long while, has low enough friction for millions to give it a go.
