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ZDNET cardinal results
- With Windows 10 nary longer supported, Linux is connected the rise.
- Two distributions person greatly benefited from the demise of Windows 10.
- Each of these distros serves a antithetic purpose, but they're some Linux.
October 14 marked the extremity of Windows 10.
At the time, that was 1 of the astir wide utilized operating systems connected the planet. Typically, an OS upgrade is reasonably straightforward, but this clip around, Microsoft had different plans. The hardware requirements for Windows 11 were excessively overmuch for a bulk of those Windows 10 machines, which meant users would beryllium forced to acquisition a caller PC.
That did not spell implicit well.
Also: My 10 favourite Linux distributions of each time, ranked
Amid the outcry from Windows users, Linux continued evolving and expanding. Many of america successful the Linux/open-source assemblage sang the praises of Linux, calling it the champion enactment for those abandoned by Microsoft.
But then, thing happened... Something big.
One peculiar Linux organisation saw downloads skyrocket. My superb workfellow (and all-round awesome person) Stephen Vaughn-Nichols gave his spot-on instrumentality arsenic to wherefore this was happening and mentioned the abrupt emergence successful Zorin OS downloads.
One cardinal downloads successful 2 months. Even much telling was that 78% of those downloads came from Windows machines.
That makes full sense, due to the fact that Zorin OS is not lone 1 of the astir user-friendly distributions connected the market, but it volition marque Windows users consciousness close astatine home, acknowledgment to its acquainted layout.
And then, conscionable this morning, Tom's Hardware reported that the gaming-centric Linux distribution, Bazzite, had delivered a petabyte of downloads, which came to astir 150,000 downloads successful a month.
That's lone 2 of the hundreds of Linux distributions, and I'm assured we'll beryllium seeing much and much reports coming successful that archer a akin story: People are leaving Windows for Linux.
Also: The astir beauteous Linux distributions for 2025
Those of america who've been covering Linux for decades knew this infinitesimal would yet come. At immoderate point, Microsoft would bash the unthinkable and find a mode to scare disconnected its base, who would past crook to alternatives. Consumers who can't spend an iMac oregon MacBook would person lone 2 choices: Linux oregon ChromeOS.
While Chromebooks are large for definite users, those who privation a full-blown, multitasking OS (like Windows) are champion served by Linux.
Why these 2 distributions?
To me, the penning is connected the wall.
There are 2 chiseled idiosyncratic groups who are turning to Linux: Regular users and gamers. Regular users are turning to Zorin OS, and gamers to Bazzite. It makes consciousness due to the fact that some distributions are perfect for their respective idiosyncratic type. Zorin OS has everything users request to beryllium creative, productive, and entertained, and Bazzite has everything indispensable to play astir each the games radical want.
On apical of being an outstanding gaming platform, Bazzite is besides immutable, which means it offers important information improvements implicit Windows. Not lone are you getting overmuch simplified gaming connected Linux, but you tin beryllium definite that your operating strategy volition ever "just work."
Also: 5 Linux desktop environments that marque ditching Windows 10 casual - including my apical pick
I wouldn't beryllium amazed if those 2 distributions not lone proceed seeing record-breaking downloads but besides assistance different Linux distributions emergence successful popularity.
Those 2 distributions unsocial screen the bulk of PC idiosyncratic needs, and fixed their caller download numbers, consumers agree. It whitethorn person taken decades to happen, but it looks similar the "year of Linux" is yet upon us.
Also: I ditched Linux for Windows 11 for 1 week - and recovered 9 large problems
I foretell that 2026 volition beryllium a banner twelvemonth for the open-source operating system. Linux mightiness adjacent apical double-digits successful marketplace stock earlier the coming twelvemonth ends.
One mightiness deliberation Linux' emergence successful popularity tin beryllium attributed solely to the missteps of Microsoft, but you cannot discount everything Linux brings to the table: Security, stability, easiness of use, zero cost, flexibility, creativity, and semipermanent support.
Mark my words, my friends, 2026 volition beryllium the twelvemonth of the Linux desktop.
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