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Switching from Windows 11 to Zorin OS: My Experience

Switching from Windows 11 to Zorin OS: My Experience

2025-05-11

I recently made the switch from Windows 11 to Zorin OS, a user-friendly Linux distribution based on Ubuntu. It’s been an interesting journey adapting to a new system, and I’ve discovered some clear pros and cons from my experience so far.

Pros

  • Free and open-source – No licensing fees, product keys, or activation issues.
  • Smooth gaming performance – I was able to play Dota 2 and Stronghold: Warlords with only a slight FPS drop using Proton via Steam.
  • Windows-like experience – The interface feels familiar, easing the learning curve for new Linux users.
  • Software availability – Most essential apps have Linux alternatives.

Cons

  • Annoying input-switch popups during games – This interrupts gameplay and can be frustrating.
  • No Linux version of my gaming mouse software – Thankfully, my mouse remembers its settings
  • Tedious multi-user setup – Configurations don’t always apply system-wide, so each user needs to repeat setup steps.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I am getting used to it. Zorin OS feels smooth and easy to use for someone coming from Windows. It has some small problems, but the freedom and speed make it a good choice for me.