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Simon is a Computer Science BSc graduate who has been writing about technology since 2014, and using Windows machines since 3.1. After working for an indie game studio and acting as the family's go-to technician for all computer issues, he found his passion for writing and decided to use his skill set to write about all things tech.
Since beginning his writing career, he has written for many different publications such as WorldStart, Listverse, and MakeTechEasier. However, after finding his home at MakeUseOf in February 2019, he has been working with it and its sister website, XDA, to bring the latest and greatest in Windows, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity topics.
Summary
- Windows 10 support ends Oct 14, 2025; Zorin OS 18 Beta targets users left behind by Windows 11 requirements.
- Zorin OS 18 Beta offers OneDrive support and Windows-installer help to ease data and app transition.
- Familiar Windows-like interface makes Zorin an easy, free route out of Microsoft's ecosystem—try the Core Beta.
As Microsoft prepares to stop providing feature updates for Windows 10 this coming October, users still running the operating system have a few options ahead of them. While you can upgrade to Windows 11 (either with a new PC or by forcing your old one) or extend your Windows 10 support for a year, there's always the option to abandon ship and try a new operating system altogether. That's what I did, as I've since moved on to Fedora KDE.
However, Fedora isn't the only distro available by any means. In fact, several communities are banding together to advertise Linux as a suitable "get out of Microsoft's ecosystem free" card, especially as we get close to October. For example, the Zorin Team have released a new Zorin OS 18 Beta, and it's designed specifically to make ex-Windows users as comfortable as possible.
The Zorin OS 18 Beta aims to help Windows escapees fit into their new home
Image Credit: Zorin TeamOver on the Zorin Teams blog, the group announced the release of Zorin OS 18 Beta. Right from the start, the team makes it very clear that they'd love to welcome in people who are fleeing Windows 10's end-of-life date:
With Windows 10 reaching its end of life on 14 October 2025, an estimated 240 million computers1 that don’t meet Windows 11’s strict hardware requirements will be left behind. Many users are faced with the choice of either buying a new computer soon or switching to a supported, modern operating system.
Zorin OS is designed to be the perfect replacement for Windows, thanks to its ease of use and powerful features [...] The improvements in Zorin OS 18 make the transition from Windows easier than ever, offering a familiar and intuitive experience for Windows users while unlocking the full potential of your existing computer.
So, what does the Zorin OS 18 Beta do to help Microsoft escapees adapt to Linux? Well, for one, the OS is actually fully compatible with OneDrive. That way, if you want to jump off Windows but you don't want to leave all of your files behind, Zorin OS can help you access them. It also has a database of Windows installers, and if it detects you launching one, it'll give you advice on how to get it set up the Linux way, plus some pointers toward some alternatives you can check out. Honestly, it sounds ideal for people still trying to get used to the open-source scene.
Other than that, the OS definitely has the look and feel of a Windows product. Take a peek at the screenshot above: if you had told me it was a Windows 10 skin, I would believe you. If you want to get started with the operating system, head over to the Zorin OS 18 Core Beta download page and give it a try.
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