If you still haven’t converted a Windows 10 PC over to Linux yet, this might be a good option if you’re not that familiar with GNU/Linux. They have a modified GNOME desktop that looks more like Windows, and some interesting tools to help you deal with Windows software you might still need to run. Another good OS for newbies to GNU/Linux is Linux Mint with versions based on Debian and Ubuntu, itself based on Debian. And I ran a VM of Zorin 17 for a while and I liked it, though I removed all the Flatpak garbage after installation. I wouldn’t run anything GNOME today as a chunk of the devs are far left liberals sexual deviants, and it’s backed, controlled by IBM and Red Hat. Consequently, I converted my Windows 10 desktop to Endeavor OS which is just an easier way to install Arch Linux with some helpful management tools like their app for installing the Nvidia driver, but Arch is cutting edge and you should have more experience with GNU/Linux before using it as a daily driver, as well as being alright with lots of rebooting, as you get frequent kernel updates and on the newest kernels (there is an LTS kernel option but even it gets regular updates).
https://www.neowin.net/news/zorin-os-18-eyes-your-windows-10-pc-as-microsoft-pulls-the-plug/
David Uzondu
Zorin OS, the Ubuntu-based operating system that markets itself as a user-friendly alternative to the likes of Windows and macOS, has gotten its version 18 update, one which it teased last month as a “faster, more powerful, secure, and privacy-respecting” replacement for Windows 10. This big update brings a redesigned desktop, an improved window tiling manager, and a host of new pre-installed apps.
It’s no surprise that Zorin Group decided to drop version 18 on the very day that the world says goodbye to Windows 10 as it reaches its end of life. Zorin Group claims that Microsoft’s decision will abandon “240 million computers” that do not meet the strict hardware requirements for Windows 11.
In Zorin OS 18, the desktop has been redesigned while retaining the “best parts of Zorin OS’s aesthetics”. The default theme now has a more rounded appearance and uses a lighter color palette. The panel has a “floating, rounded style” by default to match the new look.
Window tiling has now been improved with a new manager. When you drag a window to the top of the screen, a pop-up appears with predefined layouts. The implementation looks quite similar to the Snap Layouts feature on Windows 11. But unlike Microsoft’s OS, Zorin OS 18 lets you create your own custom tiling layouts, something Windows does not let you do without a utility like PowerToys FancyZones.
In the Pro edition, there are three new desktop layouts. You get a Linux Mint-like layout with a start menu that lets you navigate categories by hovering. Another is a compact panel layout designed to maximize screen space. And the last one might remind you of macOS, but Zorin Group refers to it as “elementary OS-like” for a minimalist style.
Other goodies you’d find in the Pro edition include 11 new pre-installed apps listed below:
- Deskflow: Lets you share your mouse, keyboard, and clipboard across computers on your network.
- Warp: A tool for securely sending files across your local network or the internet using a code.
- Valot: A simple time tracking application for professionals to monitor project hours and earnings.
- Easy Effects: An advanced audio manipulation tool with features like an equalizer and compressor.
If you grab the Education edition, you’ll get 4 new apps, including:
- Gradebook: An app for students to keep track of their grades across different courses.
- Spedread: A speed-reading application that flashes one word at a time.
- TurboWarp: A Scratch-based programming tool for kids that includes a compiler for faster project execution.
There’s now a new Web Apps tool that lets you turn any website into a desktop application. These PWAs sit in the start menu just like their native counterparts and can integrate with any popular web browser as a back-end.
If you’re migrating to the OS from Windows 10, you’ll appreciate the fact that the built-in database has been expanded to support over 170 apps. It can detect when you try to run a Windows installer and recommend the best way to use that application on the OS, whether that’s a web app or a native Linux version.
Other changes Zorin OS 18 brings include an updated WINE version 10 for better Windows software support, remote login with RDP, and the inclusion of the PipeWire audio server for better sound quality. The Files app now has a button to search for files globally across all locations. New windows also now open in the center of the screen by default.
Zorin Group says Zorin OS 18 will be supported with security patches and software updates until “at least June 2029”. If you’re on Zorin OS 17, you can grab the new update from the Software Updater. The Zorin OS 18 ISOs are available for download here.