This seems very confusing to me. If someone has paid for Zorin Pro and wants to upgrade to a new version, then they have to buy Zorin Pro again.
It would be excellent to see an option to do a free upgrade which reverts the system back to Core for those who are happy with Core's features.
Unfortunately this has been a limitation with the upgrader for a while, and I am unsure of if they plan on making this change in the future. This might be better suited to feedback rather than installing Zorin, if you'd rather? Might have a better shot of the devs seeing it and deciding what they want to do about it, but I can't guarantee anything on that front.
It is disappointing. I don't feel confident buying Zorin Pro without the assurance that I won't be locked in once security updates end for Zorin 18.
You wouldn't be locked. You can use it then, too. But of Course without getting System Security Updates.
I don't mind paying again. It's my way of supporting the development of Zorin.
I bought Zorin Pro even though I do not need or use any of the included software or options in Zorin Pro. I look at Zorin Pro as a donation to the Zorin project and the extras as a thank you gift. When Zorin 19 comes along I will again buy the pro version and consider it a donation. I danced with several other distrol before I settled on Zorin. The money I paid for Pro is significantly less than the value I get from using Zorin. As I type this I am considering making a donation to the Zorin group and I am still getting a good deal.
I wonder if it has something to do with difficulty removing or disabling the free applications that came with Pro. I bought 17Pro and got a decent discount on 18Pro because 18 came along fairly soon after but I consider the full price of Pro to be a very reasonable contribution to support the developers.
You can always do a completely new install of the Core version if you don't want to continue Pro.
Hmm ...I have pro and i went into the software store clicked installed...and removed the stuff i didnt need...was real easy. as pro is basicly Core just has support/preinstalled software is all
I see many valid comments pointing out that choosing Pro is actually a choice of donating to support continued development.
This is not just valid, but true to the spirit of FOSS.
It is important to remember that being a valid point of view does not make it a universal point of view.
It is also important to remember that a choice is a choice.
The inability to upgrade from Pro to Core removes that choice and many (validly) can feel "locked in" by that.
Being able or willing to donate is also a choice. Not everyone may feel that they can donate at any given time. Finances can vary from plentiful to scarce quickly.
OK but if you wanted to downgrade from Pro to Core how could Zorin make sure you couldn't keep using the included products that you were no longer paying for?
I don't necessarily use many of the build-in apps either. But being new to Linux I really like that they offer af "curated" set of apps. There are sooo many apps and projects on Linux and I don't know where to start.
And there are too many Linux-tech-geeks out there who praise "XYZ-app" - which I then download only to realise it in version 0.5.7 and hasn't been maintained since 2021.
Coming from MacOS that's simply not good enough 
To be honest with all the issues reported on the problems encountered with the Upgrade Tool not working for everyone I think it is much simpler (and safer) to make a clean install after backing up all critical data. One can donate to the project without buying Pro. There are lots of projects I would like to donate to but because I am not bringing in as much money as SWMBO now I am retired, my spending on what I want to spend on is forbidden. Go figure.
You don't have to use PayPal if I read the page correctly. I don't know why the page link is in Dutch as I am not currently using my VPN.
Well, the Process could include a purge Command for deleting the Pro Software and the Pro Desktop Layouts. And then could be a remove Command used to remove the Premium Repo and it's Key so You can't get the Stuff back.
That would be at least my Idea how to handle that.
I still think a fresh install will always be better post backup.
It was only theoretical how it could be done. I would agree to a fresh Install.
I agree with you guys and I would like to buy it, but being forced to do a fresh install if security updates end and I decide to move back to Core feels bad to me.
If I could buy it with confidence that I wouldn't be forced to replace my install or buy again, then I would be happy to.
Well, You don't have to buy it. If the Core Version is enough for You, You can use that and instead of buying the Pro Version donate something to the Project.
As for the Pro benefits, I think resetting the desktop to the default layout if any Pro specific one has been selected and uninstalling the Pro apps sounds fair to me.
I was just wondering if that might be why they didn't allow it (only reason I could think of because the OS itself is supposedly identical) but really no idea why they do or don't do something.
I would just be wary. If you are going to try to remove something you could break the system. That is whyvI used Synaptic Package Manager in my video about installing KDE Plasma on Zorin as it advises you of what other packages will be marked before removal. I would also advise you make a backup before attempting anything. For me it did not matter as I was using a VM and Zorin is no longer my daily driver (since Zorin15).