this post was submitted on 24 Nov 2025
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Some of them might. But I wouldn't put too much faith in them, though.
What level of faith do you require from people trying out the OS? What damage is done?
That's not my point. My point is, they try Zorin, they don't like it, and now they go on about how much Linux sucks as they run back to Windows. I highly doubt many of them will bother distro-hopping. As far as must users will be concerned, they tried Linux and it sucked. They're almost definitely not going to want to spend more time redoing their system a bunch until they find one they like, nor are they going to want to spend the time with dotfiles getting it the way they want.
If they did research on other distros before installing Zorin, they probably wouldn't have gone with Zorin...
They're riding a bandwagon, not setting their own path.
I agree. If Zorin lowers the bar for entry enough that some will continue on and perhaps hop to another distro if they outgrow Zorin, then it’s a win. Desktop Linux isn’t going to win everyone over - Apple will pick up some and most will stay on Windows either way.
There will always be a lot of people trying a product out, figuring it’s not for them for whatever reason, and revert back. I don’t see a solution that will retain those people. Change is difficult for a lot of people.
For the Zorin org, even those who shelled out for the Pro edition and jump back to Windows, that income still goes to devs that are working to maintain the Linux ecosystem.