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

[LVZ]

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

[Sector 001]

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

The numbers have been dropping steadily every year.

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

[LastDemocratInSC]

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

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]

4. A few Linux distros ...

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

[LPBBEAR]

5. My Suggestions

Like LVZ I use MXLinux. Additionally I use PCLinuxOS. Both are KDE based versions of Linux. I prefer KDE over Linux distributions based on Gnome. I also do not use distributions based on Ubuntu. Linux Mint is the only version based on Ubuntu I would recommend. They do a much better job than Ubuntu.
I've used Linux since the mid 90's. I personally can't stand Microsoft and its products and consider the company as being in the same league as Tesla, Exxon, and the Devil. A scumbag corporation. No politically progressive minded person should be using Windows.

[IbogaProject]

9. I have been on MX for a few years now.

I have to get ready for the upgrade from mx 23 to mx 25. I'm starting to get the itch to pick a rolling release based on Debian so I can just keep updating and skip the biannual reinstall process.

[LVZ]

10. You might want to try Sparky for semi-rolling release Linux

https://sparkylinux.org/download/rolling

Sparky, now based on Debian 13, has a unique software center and an active community

I will try out Pop! OS "Cosmic", a new semi-rolling distro when released on December 11.
I tried Fedora's Beta version of "Cosmic" but it had display problems with some software.

[LPBBEAR]

13. Great videos!

I've somehow missed this version. Once a potential user gets past the initial creating a installer disc anyone should be able to install this version of Linux. The installer is really simple.

The distro is very well organized and its layout choices are quite logical. By that I mean they are not trying to impress the user with pointless flashiness. Its all down to business and no confusing useless features. Some distros go overboard with that kind of thing which makes the desktop cluttered and confusing.

What should be pointed out to any lurking Windows user here is that the system featured in the first video is running on 4 gbs of memory. Recent versions of Windows would not be as snappy as the system in the video is on 4 gbs of memory. In fact its a royal pain in the ass to run recent versions of Windows on this minimal amount of memory. Advantage Linux.

The one thing I miss with this distros installer, and almost all others distros except MXLinux, is the basic setup of Samba during installation. We would have to go all the way back to Xandros in the 1990's to find that being done properly. Having that feature goes a long way towards setting up a home network for users still keeping their home network in a Windows compatible environment. As far as I know MXLinux is the only distro doing that.

A very nice distro that I will have to download and try out. Thanks for posting the vids.

[Sector 001]

11. I personally can't stand Microsoft and its products

A typical fanboy.

Linus Torvalds: “Microsoft hatred is a disease”

I’m a big believer in “technology over politics”. I don’t care who it comes from, as long as there are solid reasons for the code, and as long as we don’t have to worry about licensing etc issues. I may make jokes about Microsoft at times, but at the same time, I think the Microsoft hatred is a disease. I believe in open development, and that very much involves not just making the source open, but also not shutting other people and companies out. There are ‘extremists’ in the free software world, but that’s one major reason why I don’t call what I do ‘free software’ any more. I don’t want to be associated with the people for whom it’s about exclusion and hatred.

[LPBBEAR]

12. Not sure what point you're trying to make

but I agree with that Torvalds quote from 2009 you dredged up. Unfortunately Microsoft's leaders from that period were all about "exclusion and hatred" and the numerous illegal and destructive anti-trust actions they took to destroy Linux supporting companies and products during those years show that.

I've always thought technology companies should work together for the good of mankind and the consumer. The reason Linux permeates so much of what underpins what we use commonly today is because of that openness in the Linux development model and that is exactly what Linux Torvalds supports and is talking about in your quote. He is talking about those in the overall Free Software community who would adopt the same exclusive approach Microsoft used at the time of that quote 16 or more years ago.

Ultimately the Open Source/Free Software approach won out as events since then has proven. Microsoft and its products have been relegated to mostly the desktop market while other companies who used and supported Linux have become giants. Google, Amazon, Roku, Netflix, Samsung and others dominate the computing arena. Even Microsoft has been forced to change its tune and now uses Linux in many of its products and projects. After Microsoft's early hostility and active engagement in destroying many Linux based companies and products they even actually now contribute to the development of Linux.

Does this mean I personally forgive and trust Microsoft?

Fuck no! They're still the same company that engaged in abusive corporate monopolistic actions that destroyed technology, products and companies that would have benefited consumers and mankind.

I'll continue to personally can't stand Microsoft and its products and also will continue to believe that they are in the same league as corporations like Exxon, Monsanto, Dow Chemical etc. Corporations that put profits and the damage they cause the world and the environment before the good of society and mankind. Because of this no progressive should support or use their products and should make every effort to move away from Microsoft when it comes to their personal computing solutions.

It takes minimal effort to leave Windows and move to Linux. Its the right thing to do. It's as right as not supporting Trump. Its as right as not driving a Tesla while claiming to not support Elon Musk and his fascist racist bullshit..

[LVZ]

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

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/

[LPBBEAR]

6. When you factor in

the billions of people on the planet running around with either Linux (Android) or a version of BSD in their hands, their cell phones, Windows is insignificant in market share. The "desktop" is a small portion of the greater market and overall computer market share these days.

[LVZ]

7. Fastest mainstream Linux is Bodhi

Bodhi Linux is unique and very efficient especially for old low-resource low memory computers.

I would not recommend it for Linux newbies unless they are willing to deal with its non-standard way of doing things.

It does not use KDE or GNOME or XFCE. It uses its own Moksha desktop environment.

Bodhi, more than any other mainstream Linux, is really fast and efficient (and also looks nice).

If you want to try this quirky Linux, wait for the release of Bodhi 8 in the next few months.

Bodhi 7 is based on Ubuntu but it is unclear if Bodhi 8 will be based on Ubuntu or Debian 13.

https://www.bodhilinux.com

https://bodhilinux.boards.net/thread/2156/debian-ubuntu-base-bodhi-discuss

2023 Bodhi 7.0 review

[LVZ]

8. People Are Downloading Linux Instead of Windows 11