Zorin OS and Linux Mint entered the chat. 
Zorin: https://zorin.com/os/
Mint: https://linuxmint.com/
I know about Linux Mint, but some people still find it inconvenient (even after using it). But it might be the case of Catch-22 (it’s inconvenient to use without given apps → they keep using Windows → more people using it means devs [probably] won’t support other OS)
As people have said multiple times, most people do not want to learn anything about what they are using. So, the Catch-22 is it may look like Windows, but it is not, so learn what does what or there will be issues.
This is the same for ZorinOS (and all distros). The main difference is that ZorinOS is catering specifically to the “I don’t want to have to learn anything.” crowd, while Linux Mint is catering to those who favour simplicity.
These days, there are distros that require a lot less knowledge than either of those to operate.
For example, Endless OS. This is about as “just works” as it gets. Would I want to use it? No. However, if you want a truly hands-off experience something like that provides it.
The trade-off is a nearly complete lack of control and customization but you can’t have both a high degree of customization/flexibility and a highly easy to use interface. At least, I haven’t see an OS that offers that yet.
You can certainly have it, but devs usually focus on one aspect.
Dolphin and KDE in general are examples of high control and ease of use. At least, to me, they are, especially with the new approach they took in Plasma 6 to be simple by default.
One could use the simple by default approach with KDE on an LTS distro to achieve this. I haven’t used Kubuntu in a while, so I don’t know if it would qualify.
When I talk about ease of use I am talking about something much easier and more intuitive to use then Plasma or even Windows. Think iOS level of simplicity(At least before they added all the gestures you need to learn).
Or put a chip in their brains that scans their every thought for what to do next. 
So efficiency, simplicity, speed, and knowledge (of commands) are outdated qualities in today’s world? 
Yes, because those require thought. How dare you ask people to think for themselves?
I don’t think this is correct.
IMHO, people want to choose what they spend their free time for. Someone who wants to work professionally for a subject unrelated to IT, doesn’t want to learn a lot about PC configuration. They want something to just work. It is a fair request, I think. Nobody can blame that.
this ^^
there are some distros that ‘just work.’ we all have choice thankfully. but a uniform dumbing down of linux to the lowest common denominator with be the death of linux as we know it and foss will follow methinks.(yes I know you didn’t say this, I did)
I do think knowledge of commands is an outdated concept for the average user in today’s world. I would argue it has been for some time already.
You are correct. And there are systems that approach that end goal better out of the box than Linux, i.e. MacOS and Windows. However, Linux inherits a lot from Unix and that heritage will always be present. Linux is more akin to a toolbox, where the user is in control of their environment. That control comes at the price of responsibility to make your tool into the type of tool you desire, which demands some effort and knowledge. All the pretty gui elements can attempt to hide the underpinnings, but the command line is still the more universal and efficient method to control the system.
The nature of free software indicates this isn’t likely to happen. What is likely to happen is that we end up with both. Some distros will be targeting ease of use over all other considerations and others will not. This is the nature of the “fork it” mentality of open source development. If you don’t like something, you are empowered to do something about it.
It is also why there will never be a unified future for Linux.
I love the freedom to choose, man.
It would be sad to think the pinnacle of linux would furnishing secure servers/archtecture for govs and corporations and smartphones but no one wants to use the desktop.
Maybe Linux Foundation should make Deb Enterprise or RHEL Official Sanctioned Linux Desktop as it were…one of them can take the bullet for the team and get on a Windows simplicity ‘just works’ in every phase.
[it’s amazing how many people here view Win as ‘just works’ I don’t remember it that way at all 
]
Then the rest of us can live on the forks.
spitballin…
Do you always read something into satements that wasn’;t said or even implied? 
I just rejoice with all the choices we have available. That’s pretty convenient. 
This all makes sense, and I understand that.
I think the learner in me came out in that reply. It’s hard to believe people use devices that they don’t understand, but I keep needing to remind myself that everyone is different.