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A critically-acclaimed flavor of Linux is apparently doing very well indeed in terms of attracting defectors from Microsoft's desktop ecosystem following the end of support for Windows 10.
Tom's Hardware spotted that the developer of Zorin OS has again been boasting about the number of downloads it has accrued, following version 18 of the Linux distro drumming up 100,000 downloads in just two days after its release.
However, that's now hit a million, as we're told in a blog post: "We're thrilled to announce that Zorin OS 18 has amassed 1 million downloads in just over a month since its release, breaking all previous records."
The developer of Zorin further points out that based on its data for these downloads, 78% of them are from Windows PCs, suggesting that a good deal of these people are migrants from Microsoft's OS to Linux.
So, in around five weeks, that's a million more Zorin OS recruits – or is it? Well, no, not exactly – and I'll discuss why next – but it's still an impressive number to have amassed in just over a month since Microsoft ceased providing official support for Windows 10.
While Zorin OS may have had a million downloads since version 18 of the distro was released, on exactly the same day that Microsoft dropped official support for Windows 10, obviously that doesn't reflect a million Windows users fleeing to the Linux hills.
We're told that 78% of downloads originate from Windows PCs, so that's around 780,000 folks in theory – but just because Zorin OS was pulled from the internet on a Windows PC doesn't mean that a person is migrating from Windows to Linux on that computer. A person in this boat may have multiple PCs, for example, and they might be downloading on one machine to install on another (non-Windows system). Or they might be curious about Zorin, perhaps enough to download it, but not actually bothering installing the OS (or give it a quick whirl, and give up).
You get the point anyway: there are a number of potential reasons and scenarios for a download that don't necessarily translate into a new Zorin user going forward, or necessarily mean that a person is abandoning Windows just because the Linux distro was downloaded on a Microsoft PC.
Still, it's a fair bet that this does represent a hefty chunk of defectors from Windows 10 who don't want to upgrade to Windows 11 (or can't do so due to the steeper hardware requirements therein). Especially given that one of Zorin's strengths is that it's built to be friendly for such defectors, with a suitably Windows-like desktop environment. Note that we rate the 'Lite' version of Zorin as the top Linux distro for those with an older PC, and that may well represent a good number of these OS migrants.
How many might stick with Zorin going forward is another matter, perhaps, but for now, Zorin OS is making considerable hay after the sun has set on Windows 10. And that's despite extended support being available for Microsoft's OS, allowing for a further year of usage through to October 2026, it should be noted – and all this may give Microsoft something to worry about in that light.
Certainly if this kind of activity continues, and does so more broadly away from Zorin – it'll be interesting to see if we hear from other Linux distros with similar tales of bolstered ranks in the next couple of months.
(Score: 3, Informative) by Gaaark on Monday December 01, @01:38AM (3 children)
No: problem is the whole Plex-systemd thing. Plex wants systemd and that's a big reason for the one computer. I really don't watch regular tv on my own anymore; it's all just plex. With our son, we'll watch Tubi and the other 'ad' stations. But me alone, i watch Plex.
Just finished Brittas Empire (silly but funny. Smeg!) and The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin. Reggie Perrin i remember from when i was a kid and i really enjoyed watching it again. It was "Great!". Almost "Supah!"
I didn't get where I am today by not knowing a good show when i see one!
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. I have always been here. ---Gaaark 2.0 --
(Score: 2) by RS3 on Monday December 01, @03:40AM (2 children)
Sorry, I was dense. Plex needs systemd, plex server anyway.
I just did some AI research (very interesting) and all the "reasons" plex needs systemd are BS. It's just a bunch of normal dependencies.
The AI agreed with me (even called me insightful!) that everything plex needs can be done with more standard SysVinit (or any other init).
It's more that systemd suddenly became standard, which greatly disappoints me, and frankly has greatly reduced my interest in and use of Linux. Sigh.
I had a bit more chat with the AI, and it agreed with me that systemd makes things easier for many non-admins, but can make debugging (much) more difficult.
I wish there was a more even split of with vs. without systemd.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Gaaark on Monday December 01, @11:22AM (1 child)
Yup.
I haven't had time to do a re-boot of my MX system to see if Plex 'needs' systemd or can do with MX's systemd 'fix'.
Dog, i need more time. I need to RETIRE!, lol.
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. I have always been here. ---Gaaark 2.0 --
(Score: 2) by RS3 on Tuesday December 02, @12:30AM
I hear you! I'm nearing that age. I do envy people who can retire early. Or at all!
When I was younger I was more of a tech hound, even compiled kernels almost daily. Didn't really get me anywhere, but I did learn a lot. Now I want computers to just work. Minimal fiddling. I don't do much tech-heavy stuff anymore, and computers are so fast now that "older" hardware is plenty for me. More time and $ to do other more fun things. :)