Zorin OS just shipped 18.1, an update aimed squarely at people who want to leave Windows without losing the apps they rely on. The release expands hardware support, adds fingerprint reader compatibility for older machines, and — crucially — now recommends native Linux alternatives and install paths when it detects Windows apps. For anyone weighing a switch from Windows 11 or an aging Windows 10 PC, this is the first distro update that treats migration as a guided, user‑facing process rather than a technical project.

Zorin OS, a Linux-based operating system (distro) designed as a purposeful alternative to macOS and Windows, burst into the scene late last year, close to Microsoft's unpopular decision to end support for Windows 10 on October 14. Some users referred to that decision as programmed obsolescence, saying its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program didn't help either, and felt like a last-minute snooze button.

Windows 10's "death" pushed 780,000 users to Linux, skyrocketing downloads of Zorin OS in particular to 1 million. Three months later, Zorin OS 18 passed 2 million downloads. And now, six months after Zorin OS launched, its team has indicated that it has reached even 3.3 million downloads (via Neowin).

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This milestone coincides with the release of Zorin OS 18.1, which ships with new features, improvements, and improved hardware support. The distro has also expanded its built-in database to better detect installation files for popular Windows apps: "It now supports over 240 apps, recommending even more tailored alternatives to sideloading their Windows executables," the team explains.

As such, when launching the Windows installer for an app like Plex, the OS will display a dialog that tries to direct you to the best way to use that app, which is often installing its native Linux version from its app store. What's more, it automatically suggests the closest native alternative to many Windows‑only apps, such as Evolution Mail in place of Microsoft Outlook.

The new update adds new improvements to the desktop, including new options to the Advanced Window Tiling feature. Additionally, some apps will now display their own indicator icon in the panel tray, making it easier for users to check the app's status or even quickly access its functions.

Zorin OS 18.1 also updates its pre-installed apps "for a more feature-rich experience out of the box."

The lightweight edition of the Zorin OS Linux distribution, Zorin Lite, has also received a new update, bumping it to version 17.3. For context, the Lite version is designed to run on older or low‑spec computers. The update ships with fingerprint reader support, updated desktop themes, and a redesigned File Manager app.

Windows Central's take: Microsoft is trying, but Windows 11 has dangerous competition

Windows 11 has been around for four years (and change), but it has struggled to gain broad adoption for most of that time compared to its predecessors. This can be partly attributed to Microsoft's stringent hardware requirements, coupled with lackluster design elements across the operating system.

However, it is now gaining momentum following Windows 10's end-of-life status and has even surpassed its market share. Earlier this year, Microsoft pledged to improve the general user sentiment around Windows 11.

The Redmond giant is seemingly already living up to its promise by giving users the option to skip the update process when setting up a new Windows 11 PC, reducing where Copilot and its integrations appear, and bringing back fan-favorite features like the movable and resizable Taskbar as part of its broader strategy to address pain points across the operating system.

However, our Senior Editor Zac Bowden recently argued that Microsoft is wasting time trying to make Windows 11 better, and should rip the band-aid off and ship Windows 12. "Unfortunately, I'm worried that even a valiant effort to fix the platform isn't going to mend its reputation. If history is to repeat itself, "fixing" an operating system through bug fixes and new features isn't enough," Bowden added. "In the eyes of many, bad versions of Windows have only been truly fixable in one way: Abandonment."

Still, alternative operating systems like these Linux distros threaten Windows 11's hold in the desktop market share because of their open-source, free-of-charge nature, and the promise of a lack of ads and telemetry only makes the jump more tempting for anyone growing tired of Windows, for whatever reason.

Would you ditch Microsoft for a Linux-based OS like Zorin, given the current state of Windows 11?

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Kevin Okemwa is a seasoned tech journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya with lots of experience covering the latest trends and developments in the industry at Windows Central. With a passion for innovation and a keen eye for detail, he has written for leading publications such as OnMSFT, MakeUseOf, and Windows Report, providing insightful analysis and breaking news on everything revolving around the Microsoft ecosystem. While AFK and not busy following the ever-emerging trends in tech, you can find him exploring the world or listening to music.

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