Zorin replaces Windows - is it a joke or a scam?

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Hello, I purchased the PRO version a few hours ago. And those few hours have been frustrating (to be politically correct, without voicing my thoughts on the developers).

Am I doing something wrong or misunderstanding the concept of this operating system? Please help me figure this out.
As far as I understand, ZORIN OS is positioned as an easy transition from Windows, meaning it should be similar to Windows. Am I correct? Or am I wrong?
If I understand correctly, how is it similar to Windows besides the desktop? Why is there no right-click menu? Why can't I create folders the usual way? Why don't the hotkeys on my laptop work (brightness and volume controls)? Where is the "This PC" folder? Where is the familiar Windows root folder system? Where is a copy of Windows Explorer? Why can't I even switch input languages ​​using Windows hotkeys, and why can't I assign just two keys in the settings instead of three!?

Please tell me, am I doing something wrong, or are the developers playing "cargo cult," building airplanes out of straw, trying to imitate form but forgetting the content?

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There are right click context menu's so to answer this, you may need to clarify what you mean.

This may lead to:

You can: Right Click and from the open context menu, select "New folder." So if Right Click is not working; We need to troubleshoot that. Are you using mouse, touchpad, touchscreen?

Being a familiar layout to Windows OS does not mean that it is a Windows OS duplicate.
Root is a File Tree which contains levels of access.
This works in a Top - Down arrangement, but the easiest way is anything outside of your Home Directory is Root.
From the File Manager, in the left pane, selecting Other Location then "Computer` in the right pane is the equivalent of "This PC" - and also can get you to Root.

Zorin OS uses Nautilus File Manager. Windows OS uses Windows Explorer File Manager.
Windows OS is a Locked Down and Proprietary System. As you point out, Zorin OS is similar to in layout and feel to ease the transition. It is not a copy of Windows OS.

Both of these may deal with a driver issue for the keyboard and may deal with how Gnome limits keyboard shortcuts. Since you mention a "Right click issue:, it is better to stick to one troubleshooting problem per thread (The rest were answers to questions.) If you can start a separate thread on the Hotkeys, we can keep the two issue separate and reduce confusing back and forth.

Can you also include your computer details and specs in case there is a driver to hardware mistmatch?

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Thank you very much for your reply. One problem was solved: I connected a mouse to the laptop, and a right-click menu appeared... which doesn't have even half of what Windows had. So it's a problem with the touchpad drivers, as well as the keyboard driver. (It's truly a wonderful OS - sarcasm - if it's having problems with drivers for the new laptop I bought yesterday.) Although... a new problem has appeared: now I need to find drivers.

As far as I understand, you're an experienced user. Could you please tell me if there's a way to make this ".............." function more like Windows? No, there's no equivalent to "This PC," where the system drives are located, where you can right-click and get to the Device Manager and debug drivers. There's no equivalent to Settings, where I can access the Process Manager and Registry. It's a completely different system, completely different from Windows.

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Correct; This statement is the crux of the issue.
It is a completely different system.

To me, it sounds like you want to get away from Windows OS for certain reasons, but do not want to get away from how Windows OS operates.
You did a net search and came across Zorin OS... And between Internet hype and the Zorin OS page marketing itself... Intellectually you understood:

But in practice, you began feeling that learning curve that comes with switching from Windows OS to GnuLinux which is what you wanted to avoid.

This makes sense. But... In Life we do not get to have our cake and eat it, too.
If you switch to a different operating system; You Will Have the Learning to Do of a Different System. No GnuLinux can absolve the end user of that.

You might be better off looking at a version of Windows OS that is stripped of Telemetry and other things; I cannot link to or endorse that action here - But I can suggest you look into it as an alternative.

In the meantime; there is a great deal you can still do.
When I migrated from Windows OS to Zorin OS; it was not due to a grand plan or even a strong desire to get away from Windows OS. It was due to a hard drive failure and I happened to have a copy of Zorin OS Installer on a disk that someone had given to me and a new blank hard drive.
It was... an unexpected process. The learning curve hit me hard.
Many times, I wanted to go back to Windows OS. But, I stuck to my guns, gritted my teeth... And Opened up a whole new world where I was in control over my machine.
There is no going back for me. The idea of using Windows OS now, fills me with dread. Having gotten through the curve, I could never replace GnuLInux with Windows OS.
You have that choice - To accept that this will take learning.

Or... To accept a stripped Windows OS alternative; but remain tethered to the Windows OS ecosystem.

Zorin OS can ease that transition, making that learning curve less severe; but it is Not Windows OS.

That is a hint; A brand new piece of hardware may need a newer kernel.
Please give your general computer specs.

Yes, there is. It is not labeled with the same proprietary Windows OS Labels - it is there, however. I can and do navigate through my system drives every day.

Windows OS has a Registry. Thankfully, GnuLinux does not have that explosion in a kite string factory. There is no registry and no need for regedit. This, however, does not mean you cannot change things in a similar way.
It is a different system.

There is a process manager. 100%

There is a System Settings application (Several) in fact.

Device Manager is software exclusively on Windows OS and while there are other just as valid methods on GnuLinux, there is no all inclusive software for all devices like Device Manager. This is actually a good thing.
Device Manager on Windows OS is very dumbed down and minimal. It allows you to allow Microsoft to check for device drivers, which it fully automates and tells you nothing.
Here, we do it differently, yes. But it is productive.

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Yes, that's absolutely right. I want to ditch Windows solely for reasons of privacy, confidentiality, and trade secrets. Simply put, I'm sick of Microsoft's policies, but not of Windows as a system. I work with 3D graphics, raster graphics, and documents, and I don't create servers or do programming. Windows as a system is fine for me, but Microsoft's tracking is not.
My laptop model is an Acer Aspir Spine 14 N24H3.

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GnuLinux is not for nerds, programmers and server operators.
So you do not need any of that - the vast majority of users on Zorin OS never touch any programming at all.

But: "3D graphics, raster graphics"
I do as well. As do others on here. A common feeling as that there is better support by the Graphics Software Developers on Windows OS. For example; Photoshop vs Gimp.
For me, Blender and the existing native GnuLinux rasterizers and editors do work perfectly fine. But your opinion may more closely align with others.
I am very determined and I will do programming to get something to work how I want it to.

I think you can do well on GnuLinux. That is an honest appraisal.
I also think you are facing not only a learning curve, but also a change in how you approach Graphics work.

This really requires a paradigm shift. It is a rewarding one; but if you selected Zorin OS Pro right out of the gate; I suspect it is just not where your mind is, right now.
You wanted Windows OS without "Microsoft."

Not a whole new ecosystem.
I can only stress this: It is worth it. The learning curve, the initial frustration... But that is just my perspective.
I would ask: How long ago did you buy Pro?
You came into this with certain expectations. Maybe Pro is not the right fit. You can, if it was a very recent purchase, use the contact form to ask the ZorinGroup to refund you based on your belief that Zorin OS Pro was like Windows OS in features and function.
Then look into a stripped down copy of Windows OS that can remove telemetry.

You are at a crossroads at the moment.

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Blender and Gimp aren't suitable for me. I'm still hoping to run 3D Max and Photoshop through Wine. I hope the developers haven't lied about this and compatibility is there.
The dilemma and the problem of choice are quite simple: if Microsoft is planning to kill Windows 10, they'll kill it the same way they killed 7 and XP. I'm currently using Windows 10 with tracking removed (excluding Cortana, disabling a number of services, using a local account, disabling third-party app services, and so on). But soon, drivers for new devices will simply no longer be compatible with Windows 10. In a couple of years, I won't be able to add new devices or use new versions of apps. Therefore, the choice is clear: I need to find an alternative.

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I am not sure what you mean by the developers; But ZorinGroup has no involvement on the development of WINE.
WINE is developed by Crossover.
For compatibility and WINE, I recommend making use of the WineHQ forums.
https://www.winehq.org/

This is not me passing the buck; You probably will get much more knowledgeable help for WINE specific questions, there.

WINE Is not an emulator - it is a compatibility layer. This means that some Windows Software sets certain system or environment dependencies that are not able to exist in WINE.
But they often can be added in. This is where knowledgeable help matters.

With this, you then accept you have a learning curve. It will be trying.
Frustrating. Angering. We all go through it, and come out at the end beaming like sunshine.
It's like going to the hospital for major surgery. Not looking forward to the process; but looking forward to the result.

This is where you want to minimize that frustration and focus on One Thing At a Time. Take bite sized chunks that you can handle. Forget Windows.
Forget the Windows OS Way of Doing Things. You are now on a new journey.

First: let's focus on the hotkeys and mouse - What is your Computer Spec?

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I am 82 years old and transitioned almost instantly with a couple of niggles which the forum members have helped me fix.

Used on my old pc with a new Zorin only disk it has been instantly faster and more user friendly than windows and things like bluetooth now work 100% of the time instead of occasionally/maybe.

Better still I cannot have all my (8) data discs wiped by a windows update like happened to me when one early Win10 update came out (and happened to some people on Win11 in November last year). I am so confident already that my old windows disk is about to become my ninth data disc.

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I'm an advanced (in years...) user and like REB I got fed up with Microsoft snooping, even though the AI & advertising didn't seem intrusive. Six months ago I wiped my Windows laptops (after taking Rescuezilla/Macrium/Hasleo backups just in case - haven't needed them) and installed Zorin 18. I also felt pretty much at home immediately, even though over the months some things have niggled (especially permissions - hey, I own these disks, why the h*** can't I copy my data to them?) I think REB is being over-optimistic about expecting any Linux distro to be simply Windows without the spyware and bloat - half an hour on YouTube quickly dispels any such idea. Patience...

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Welcome to the forum Reb. Surprised by the calm and patient, informative response to your understandable irritation? Aravisian is first among many equals here, who will take an interest in you as well. After 30 years supporting people on Windows, I adopted Zorin OS. No regrets whatsoever! An unexpected bonus has been the people on this forum. Stick around!

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Like the rest has stated here...its a whole new experence linux...but with time and some work you will begin to love it as we do im 68 and been with zorin since 17.1 version yes it was a frustating changeover...but with time and help from many here i got through it and now im Happy i left microslop...hee hee. had to say that but dont giveup hang in there all we be so much better soon.....how soon will depend on you....Good luck and welcome to Zorin!!!!

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My experience has been very similar to others on this discussion. I'm 74 years old and had been using windows since DOS days. I was more and more frustrated by Microsoft's invading my privacy and forcing me to do things their way as well as fairly new computers quickly becoming less responsive as more and more windows ■■■■, spyware, security programs I had to buy to keep safe. etc.

Looked at Zorin several times over about 6 months, read all I could about it, studied how to install it side by side with windows in case I didn't like it, then made the leap. I actually had several issues, black screen that ended up being an acpi issue, some kernel problems that affected my ethernet card and my sound card, difficulty using windows data files in Zorin and vice versa, all of which were able to be solved with help from people like @Aravisian , @Ponce-De-Leon , @Forpli , @StarTreker and a few others I'm probably forgetting.

One big plus was that I like learning new stuff, always have. I remember learning Fortran, APL, Lotus 123, Lotus notes, wordperfect, etc, as well as DOS commands. People who want everything done for them automatically, or don't have the fortitude to put in a bit of effort to learn how things work a little differently, though not much, in a new OS might make a different decision but that's their choice and the best solution for them may not be the best for the rest of us,

After about 6 months of using Zorin almost exclusively, I asked for help about the best way to purge the windows stuff and go full time Zorin. I haven't done it yet but will soon. I last went into windows around Christmas time so why hang on to it.

I really don't understand the OP's issues. Nautilus works for me just as well as File Explorer did, maybe not all the menu options are exactly the same but they are close enough to be intuitive with a little thought.

Do yourself a favor and work with it for a few weeks. Use this forum (as well as Brave AI search) for issues that may come up, They usually have a pretty easy solution and people will work with you closely (all unpaid and on their own time) to help you figure stuff out. One problem is that equipment manufacturers are part of the Microsoft ecosystem and some of their hardware is designed specifically for that OS. If after a fair try you decide to go back to the evil empire that will be your decision and no one will blame you for it.

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I don't disagree at all with @NickS in his suggesting you make use of an AI answer engine. But be careful. I know you know that, but it doesn't hurt to say it again. At least have a recent save via Timeshift, or whatever app you choose, before pulling the trigger. I learned this the hard way (sigh). Not once either, three times!
You know how assured an AI always sounds, and how obsequious it is in its flattery. It is programmed to speak with assurance, and to please. Cross examine it like a hostile witness! Even then, I suggest running anything serious you're about to do by the forum first. Lots of hard-won answers here.

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Not to mention it will hallucinate a terminal command that does not exist, then spout it forth with great confidence.

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I used to have that lack of permission regularly on PDF files in Windows. Worse still half the time it was PDFs I had created myself. Four months in I am yet to see that happen on Zorin. I suspect that some such Linux problems come down to hardware rather than software.

IF you want a more windows like file system check some of the others out. Nautilus lacked several of the columns I use daily but Nemo does all except one (not a common one) and I will have to learn how to do without it. So far no problems.

As for Absolute Insanity - because of my profession I require absolute accuracy so II will not use it. My son says that AI should be considered like a group of cheap and nasty photocopiers all scanning a different picture then throwing all the pixels in a giant concrete mixer and producing a single picture from the resulting slurry.

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I had the permissions thing when my data SSD was still configured for windows. After switching to ext4 format I was able to claim ownership and all the problems went away.

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New technology is largely unforgiving as is swapping one for another hence the learning curve. Most of us though managed to learn smartphones and TV’s when they were first released. A few years ago I was joint admin for one of the most popular free software review sites on the web. Now it no longer exists. Things change no matter what whether it be Windows, Linux or something else. Asking questions here is guaranteed to get you a constructive response but slagging off the product because it doesn’t quite meet with your own expectations is unfair and disrespectful.

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I assume some typo's and that it is an Acer Aspire Spin 14.
But I have searched for "Aspire Spin 14 N24H3" and find no matching specification.
@REB please provide hardware details.

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I'll have to look for other alternatives, though. Linux is an even more feeble and wretched creature than I could have imagined. Wine can't run a single serious Windows program. Linux itself... it seems the developers live on Mars and don't understand how an operating system should look or function.
Are the hotkeys Control+C, Control+V, and Shift+Alt copyrighted? No. Is installing applications as executables copyrighted? No. But the developers couldn't even do that. I HAVE TO USE THE TERMINAL TO INSTALL FIREFOX; I have to learn new hotkey combinations.
Furthermore: correct me if I'm wrong, but an operating system is supposed to run software. It definitely has to run INDUSTRY-STANDARD applications. But Linux can't do that. And the developers of this operating system have done nothing to fix this.

Privacy is a big plus, but it's the privacy of a calculator with web surfing capabilities. Without the ability to run professional applications, the computer turns into a calculator. Did the developers even think about this? What's the point of this project? Just to move icons around on the desktop and say, "Wow, we invented a private Windows"?

Studios don't work with Blender; Blender is a program for amateurs. It's not an alternative or replacement for 3D Max, and the same can be said about other professional applications. "Wow, we saved you $5,000," they say, but that's not saving money; it's a waste of time, and time is money.

I really hope the developers at least occasionally read the forum, since the operating system doesn't have a "support" button. I hope that after reading posts like these, something shifts in the minds of developers, that they step out of their "super-smart inner world" for a moment and look at how things are in the real world. I hope that in the future, developers will at least do something to ensure their product lives up to its stated ideology.

Wake up, developers, in 2026, a computer is a tool for making money. If your operating system can't simply continue making money the way you're used to, if the alternative you propose requires years of training, then your operating system is simply useless.