I started using Zorin on February 15, 2026. My computer was having problems with Windows 11, and I couldn't revert to Windows 10 because support for it had ended. I discovered Zorin without realizing I was using Linux. At first, it was annoying, but I forced myself to use it, and I noticed my computer became faster and smoother. It's great that Steam supports Zorin directly, and all my games now run perfectly.
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My first time with Zorin OS was 2020 I think, but I have used Linux since 1999. Now I'm using AerynOS. I like to try different distros 
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"1999 to AerynOS?! That's legendary! You've seen Linux grow from a baby to a giant. Your journey is inspiring — thank you for sharing it! Much respect from a fellow Linux lover. 
"
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Do you mean who has been using Zorin the longest? Or do you really mean oldest?
I'm a relative newbie using Zorin for less than a year. I'm probably closer on the "oldest" category at 74 though I know of several forum participants who are in their 80s.
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Hello! This is interesting subject.
The first Zorin was on cd plate version 8 or 9. From 2018 to 2022 using Zorin then start distrohopping. Now using windows and linux to taken observation how evolution linux distributions to becomes this years. Also have some experience with Apple. Then the subject is when you started journey with ZorinOS or when you start using everyday for daily driver? Then it was mostly 4 years propably. I remember i was here when i using ZorinOS with RX580 graphic card. Besides you can check history to fix my count how many years i was using ZorinOS Pro version.
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I started using Linux Zorin on Sept 27 2021 and I'm 80 .... I now dual boot Mint/Zorin ..... but there is one gentleman who s older than me I believe .... I can be a challenge for me sometimes now but I manage ... LOL
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I don't usually tell people my real age. I have been using Zorin since Zorin5. And I suppose I should be happy I can still remember my 90th birthday party. Off on an international holiday today. I recommend Zorin to the people I know, but most of them already have a preferred Linux OS.
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I was already implementing a gradual change to reduce the influence of big tech in my life, and all that remained was the notebook's operating system. So, after hearing so much good about Zorin, I decided to try it, even though I had a Windows 11 license and Office 365. I switched everything out, and I've been adapting very well. |I've been a user since the second half of April 2026.
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You see why Microslop stops supporting their old OS's? Its to force you to the new OS, that runs far worse. The OS used to be part of the product for your computer purchase. In Win11, the people are the product, their DATA, not the software or computer purchase.
Unfortunately, not all of my games play on Linux, but most of them do. Whatever games that only run on Windows, I figured. I already played them twice over, so I concluded that history in my life lol. I do stay away from multi-player games and their anti-cheat garbage.
I only play single player games, its usually less of a headache, and can retain more of my sanity. lol
EDIT: Forgot to say, I started on Linux officially, when Zorin OS 9, was the latest Zorin OS. My age will not be spoken, but suffice to say, I've been around, and know a thing or to, about a thing or two lol.
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It is time to summon @swarfendor437, @Aravisian, @Storm and others!
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I came to Zorin OS at version 4 after Michael Robertson killed off Freespire, because he sold Linspire to Xandros. I left around Zorin 15. Not used it since.
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I know I am nowhere near the oldest...
By decades...
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I am definitely not the oldest user by a longshot as well. I can say that the first version I paid for was version 12, but definitely was using it before then. I think the first version I really used it regularly was either 7 or 8, as I really liked the angular taskbar at the time (and still DO like how it looks).
i have been using Linux for over 25 years.
started off with RedHat, SuSe and Debian but couldn't at that time get them to connect too the internet. bear in mind we are talking 56k modems on dial-up. so i remained dual booting for several years with Window 9x (95, 98, 98SE, ME and XP).
then i read an article about building a computer to run Linux and not trying to get Linux to work on whatever system you were just using. that article changed the way i looked at Linux and how i build computers. nowadays thats not as bad as it used to be but its still better to run Linux on hardware that is a couple of years older then cutting edge hardware, for the home user anyway.
i then built my first computer looking at all the hardware that would work with Linux, from CPU to network cards, modems and everything else related to a system build to run and work Linux.
at about that time which was around 2004 ubuntu was released, warty warthog 10.04 (i still have the CD).
i installed 10.04 via CD on the new system and for the first time, after about 5 years of trying, everything worked, everything. it connected to the internet first time and had all the hardware working perfectly.
i have stayed with Ubuntu or Ubuntu types ever since from Gnome to Unity back to Gnome and about everything else in-between. sorry about the long winded post and if you get to this end bit, well done and thank you.
best of luck Steve ..
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If seeking length of time using GNU/Linux, then since 2002.
Wow, since 2002! That's not just experience — that's a beautiful journey with GNU/Linux. Mad respect for you
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Well if you read the intro to any of the Unofficial Manuals you will see I was introduced to GNU/Linux in 2002 (I was 46 at the time) by a 6th Form student on placement in the School's IT Department at the school where the IntegratedcResource was based where I worked, who gave me a CD with Knoppix 1.9 on it which on arriving at the login screen on live mode had the female voice of 'borg one of nine saying "All systems operational". They advised me to start of with Mandrake 10 but I only had 56 kbps dial-up modem at the time so I would take blank CDs into work and burn updates in my lunch break. Needless to say this is not a good way to carry out updates, as I broke my precious Mandrake 10.1. I always had a dream that Windows Networks would wake to a great Plymouth theme from a Brasilian Distro called Epidemic which consisted of a pulsating bio-hazard symbol with the words Epidemic across the screen!
I will have to dig out a copy and see if I can boot it in virt-manager and make a video.
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I started with Fedora a long time ago maybe like 20 years ago I am 65 years old now but then I tested Ubuntu and I loved how when you typed in commands it would do suggestions of what that command can be never seen that on Fedora so I switched. Been just making servers for my WordPress and making backups of it other servers. I now know the command line good. On some I installed Debian on but I seen a YouTube video how's Zorin OS 18.1 It said how can run Windows apps and that's why I never went to Linux desktop but I always wanted to and it was about a little over a week ago why I did and I haven't gotten back to Windows I installed 4 of the Windows apps or programs from Windows I had to get help from AI to install them some but it's working great I did go and access one of my old windows 11 drives and I didn't even know and it bit encrypted it I tried to get on it with a key and then when I went back to it it just went to the bit equip screen with the key even on Microsoft's site logging in they showed me a key but it wasn't the right key it was the right computer but it didn't have the right ID when I went back to Windows it would boot to the input that key that I didn't have I just kept on pressing escape and repair icon it showed I did that about four times and it was rebooting the 4 time I think it was the fifth time where it finally came up what junk that they encrypted without even letting you know and don't even save the key where you can find it. That is one reason why switch to Zorin desktop. Thank you for making it. I love that pop ups come when I get a VOIP call I can open the right window right away just click on it and the thick - like bar to fit all the open windows to one screen to just click on them to open what one grate. Thank you again.
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I'm 75, installed 18.1 two weeks ago in a dual boot with Win 11. I don't know linux very well at all. My career was in computers and mostly networking with big vendors. I started out programming in assembler, basic, TAL, cobal. No internet, no pc's, no social media. There were mostly big mainframes and networked remote controllers and terminals. I want to get off Win11, which I was forced to go to from Win10. I have about 8 to 10 programs I'd like to keep using from Windows on Zorin. It's been a challenge for me to get things sorted out and working with these apps. The hope for me was that linux had sorted out the challenge of running windows programs. I tried using the most recommended software to support this, but failed with all of them, vines, bottles, vmbox, waydroid. I'll leave my attempt at getting this working for now. I will say that Zorin 18 installed fine, and the laptop booted up and all the hardware worked, I was amazed. Performance was equal or better then Win11.
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I resemble that remark!
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