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LVZ

(1,002 posts) Thu Dec 4, 2025, 08:15 PM 19 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

7 replies

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Windows 10 end-of-life (October 2025) - Zorin Linux had a million downloads last month (Original Post) LVZ 19 hrs ago OP

When I stopped using Linux, the market share was at about 10%. Sector 001 18 hrs ago #1

I love Unix / Linux and have worked with both but only on back-end systems. LastDemocratInSC 17 hrs ago #3

A few Linux distros ... LVZ 17 hrs ago #4

My Suggestions LPBBEAR 10 hrs ago #5

Linux "desktop" market share has never been at 10%, however .. LVZ 18 hrs ago #2

When you factor in LPBBEAR 10 hrs ago #6

Fastest mainstream Linux is Bodhi LVZ 8 hrs ago #7

Sector 001

(131 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

18 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

17 hrs 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

(1,002 posts)

4. A few Linux distros ...

Reply to LastDemocratInSC (Reply #3)

Thu Dec 4, 2025, 09:52 PM

17 hrs 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

LPBBEAR

(613 posts)

5. My Suggestions

Reply to LastDemocratInSC (Reply #3)

Fri Dec 5, 2025, 04:50 AM

10 hrs ago

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.

LVZ

(1,002 posts)

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

Reply to LVZ (Original post)

Thu Dec 4, 2025, 08:50 PM

18 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/

LPBBEAR

(613 posts)

6. When you factor in

Reply to LVZ (Reply #2)

Fri Dec 5, 2025, 04:55 AM

10 hrs ago

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

(1,002 posts)

7. Fastest mainstream Linux is Bodhi

Reply to LVZ (Original post)

Fri Dec 5, 2025, 06:44 AM

8 hrs ago

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

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