I mean, most DEs copy Windows (KDE does, Cinnamon does, etc).

• Taskbar along the bottom that shows opened programs

• Start button that opens a small start menu in the bottom left

• Clock in the bottom right

• System tray in the bottom right

• Frequently have menu bars at the top of apps

• Minimise, maximise, close at the top right of each app

• etc

So tbh it seems harsh to criticise Zorin for copying Windows when it seems, with the exception of Gnome, that all actual up to date DEs have copied Windows. And if they went with vanilla Gnome they’d not really be offering anything different at all.