Microsoft’s recent decision to discontinue support for Windows 10 on October 14 has sparked a wave of mixed reactions among users. With approximately 400 million PCs now left unsupported, many find themselves at a crossroads, contemplating their next steps in the wake of this significant change.
For those affected, several options are available. Users can consider upgrading to Windows 11, although this requires meeting Microsoft’s stringent hardware specifications. Alternatively, the Extended Software Updates (ESU) program offers an additional year of support for Windows 10, albeit at a cost. Some may opt to continue using the outdated operating system, risking potential privacy and security vulnerabilities, while others might choose to explore alternatives outside of Microsoft’s ecosystem altogether.
Emergence of Zorin OS
Among the alternatives, Zorin OS, a Linux-based operating system, has recently gained traction, surpassing one million downloads shortly after its latest update to version 18. This milestone was celebrated by Zorin’s developers, who noted that a remarkable 78% of these downloads originated from Windows devices. While this statistic suggests a significant migration from Windows, it does not definitively indicate that all these users are abandoning Windows 10 for Zorin OS.
According to TechRadar, the surge in downloads could be attributed to various factors, including user curiosity that leads to downloads without full installation. Zorin OS is particularly appealing due to its strong performance on older hardware, which resonates with the ongoing debate about planned obsolescence following Microsoft’s withdrawal of support for Windows 10. Additionally, Zorin OS offers enhanced privacy features and a user interface that closely resembles the familiar Windows environment, making it an attractive option for those seeking a seamless transition.
In a parallel movement, a group known as End of 10 has been advocating for users to switch to Linux in light of Windows 10’s impending end. This campaign emphasizes the benefits of adopting a Linux distribution on older devices, particularly highlighting the absence of ads and telemetry tracking as key advantages over Microsoft’s offerings. This shift comes amidst Microsoft’s broader strategy to evolve Windows into an AI-driven operating system, a move that has not been without its share of criticism from the user community.
