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Zorin OS
Ubuntu-based Linux operating system

Zorin OS is a Linux distribution based on Ubuntu with both free and paid versions. It uses a GNOME and XFCE 4 desktop environment by default, although the desktop is heavily customized for users more familiar with Windows and macOS.

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Features

Zorin OS is available in various free and paid versions4 including versions using XFCE for use with older computers, instead of the traditional GNOME.5 Zorin OS follows the long-term releases of the main Ubuntu system and uses its own software repositories as well as Ubuntu's repositories. The desktop environment themes can resemble those of Windows, macOS, or Ubuntu678 and allow the interface to be familiar regardless of the previous system a user has come from.9 Zorin OS Lite, the XFCE-based edition for older computers, will be supported through versions 17 and 18, with updates until June 2029, and is expected to be discontinued from version 19. 10

In January 2020, the developers announced plans to release Zorin Grid, which would be software for installing and maintaining Zorin OS within a network, aimed at companies and schools.1112 As of March 2025[update], the software is unreleased.13

History

The project was started in 2008 by co-founders Artyom and Kyrill Zorin. The company is based in Dublin, Ireland.14

Zorin OS was initially released on 1 July 2009. Since version 16.3, the system's upgrade tool can be used to upgrade existing installations; earlier versions required users to do a clean install. 17.3 is the most recent version.

Versions

Legend:Old version, not maintainedOld version, still maintainedLatest versionLatest preview versionFuture version
VersionDateBaseKernel versionFeatures/Notes
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 1.01 July 2009Initial release
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS Limited Edition '097 December 2009
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 21 January 2010Ubuntu 9.10Introduces five varieties: Core, Gaming, Multimedia, Educational, Ultimate15
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 310 June 2010Ubuntu 10.04 LTSZorin OS Look Changer added, installation slideshow tutorial16
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 422 December 2010Ubuntu 10.10Improved file manager, performance improvements17
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 56 June 2011Ubuntu 11.04Core and Ultimate available; new theme, updated software, Zorin-specific program improvements18
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 5.123 August 2011Updated Linux Kernel, aesthetic updates19
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 618 June 2012Ubuntu 12.04 LTSCore and Ultimate available; new desktop environment, "Zorin Look Changer"20
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 6.18 November 2012Updated kernel and software, security updates21
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 6.227 February 2013"Zorin Menu" update, stability improvements22
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 6.314 May 2013Updated kernel23
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 710 June 2013Ubuntu 13.04Core and Ultimate available; updated software, Linux kernel 3.8, design overhaul24
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 6.428 August 2013Ubuntu 12.04 LTSUpdated kernel and software25
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 827 January 2014Ubuntu 13.10Core and Ultimate available; updated software, UI improvements, Zorin theme changer26
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 915 July 2014Ubuntu 14.04 LTSCore and Ultimate available; stability improvements, Firefox support, more themes27
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 101 August 2015Ubuntu 15.04Default application refresh, performance and security improvements28
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 113 February 2016Ubuntu 15.10Core and Ultimate available; new default applications, desktop user experience overhaul29
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 1218 November 2016Ubuntu 16.04 LTSNew Zorin Desktop, activities overview, search revamp30
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 12.127 February 2017Bug fixes, new desktop features, performance improvements31
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 12.28 September 2017Desktop refinements, performance and stability improvements32
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 12.316 March 2018Wine compatibility built-in, Direct3D 10 and 11 support33
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 12.413 September 2018Linux kernel 4.15, performance improvements, software update process streamlining34
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 155 June 2019Ubuntu 18.04 LTSPerformance improvements, Zorin Connect (Android sync notifications), New desktop theme, Touch Layout functions, Flatpak support, new System font Inter introduced (skipped 3 versions from version 12)
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 15.25 March 2020Stronger security and hardware compatibility
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 15.38 September 2020Works better with the updated LibreOffice. Improved hardware compatibility and security.
Old version, still maintained: Zorin OS 1617 August 2021Ubuntu 20.04 LTSVisual changes, based on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS, Flatpak support out of the box.35
Old version, still maintained: Zorin OS 16.110 March 2022Stronger security and better hardware compatibility.
Old version, still maintained: Zorin OS 16.227 October 2022Ease of use and software updates.
Old version, still maintained: Zorin OS 16.327 July 2023"Zorin OS Upgrader" tool added; updated software packages; same kernel version as Ubuntu 22.04.36
Old version, still maintained: Zorin OS 1720 December 2023Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
Old version, still maintained: Zorin OS 17.17 March 2024Wine 9.0 and Bottles bundled in Windows App Support, Reading Strip, Logseq, LibreOffice 24.2, Thumbnails for more file formats, New Window Placement option, updated Linux Kernel and Graphics Stack with the same Version found in Ubuntu 23.10, better hardware support.37
Old version, still maintained: Zorin OS 17.219 September 20246.5.0-xxUpdated Linux Kernel with the same Version found in Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. Additional window management and theming settings. Software updates, e. g. LibreOffice 24.8.38
Latest version: Zorin OS 17.326 March 2025Ubuntu

22.04 LTS

6.8.0.xxZorin OS 17.3 has improved performance and has updated hardware support also redesigned software store. better desktop layouts, better accessibility, and connection with Android and Windows Devices with the Zorin Connect app. Brave is the default web browser.39

Reception

Zorin OS has been noted as having intuitive and familiar layouts, functionality, and installation process;404142 as well as for making it easy to use a Windows-similar layout.4344

Notes and references

References

  1. Phillip, Watt (2015-08-29). Pro Freeware and Open Source Solutions for Business. Apress. p. 218. ISBN 9781484211304. 9781484211304 ↩

  2. "Zorin OS: The Linux Distribution for Windows XP and 7 Fans". linux.com. The Linux Foundation. 2016-02-24. https://www.linux.com/learn/zorin-os-linux-distribution-windows-xp-and-7-fans ↩

  3. "10 reasons to try Zorin OS 9, the Linux OS that looks like Windows". pcworld.com. PC World. 2014-07-30. https://www.pcworld.com/article/2458046/10-reasons-to-try-zorin-os-9-the-linux-os-that-looks-like-windows.html ↩

  4. Johnston, Mike (5 December 2016). "Zorin OS 12 Review". CMS Critic. Retrieved 27 October 2018. https://www.cmscritic.com/zorin-os-review/ ↩

  5. Moore, Shawn (2019-12-17). "Zorin OS Lite Review - 15.1 Lite Edition". CMS Critic. Retrieved 2022-08-26. https://www.cmscritic.com/reviews/zorin-os-lite-review-15-1-version/ ↩

  6. "Zorin OS-Home". Zorin OS. Retrieved 19 March 2016. Zorin OS is a multi-functional operating system designed specifically for newcomers to Linux. It's based on Ubuntu Linux....The Look Changer lets you change your desktop to look and act like either Windows 7, XP, 2000, Ubuntu Unity, Mac OS X or GNOME 2 for ultimate ease of use. https://zorinos.com/ ↩

  7. "Zorin OS". DistroWatch.com. 2018-08-28. Retrieved 25 October 2018. https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=zorin ↩

  8. Speed, Richard (14 August 2018). "Linux 4.18 arrives fashionably late while Zorin OS shines up its Windows". The Register. Situation Publishing. Retrieved 27 October 2018. https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/08/14/zorin_and_linux/ ↩

  9. "Zorin OS Review - An alternative to macOS and Windows". www.fosslinux.com/. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-24. https://www.fosslinux.com/45399/zorin-os-review-alternative-macos-windows.htm/ ↩

  10. "The Future of Zorin OS Lite". Zorin OS Blog. Zorin Group. 2024-04-16. Archived from the original on 2025-03-30. Retrieved 2025-04-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20250330020530/https://help.zorin.com/docs/getting-started/getting-zorin-os-lite/ ↩

  11. "Zorin Grid - Manage all of your computers. As easily as one". Retrieved 2023-02-27. https://zorin.com/grid/ ↩

  12. "Zorin Grid Lets You Remotely Manage Multiple Zorin OS Computers". 2020-01-16. Retrieved 2023-02-27. https://itsfoss.com/zorin-grid/ ↩

  13. "Zorin Grid". Zorin. Archived from the original on June 8, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024. https://zorin.com/grid/ ↩

  14. Prakash, Abhishek (November 2017). "Zorin OS: From the Hobby Project of Two Teenagers to a Growing Startup - It's FOSS". It's Foss. Retrieved 15 September 2020. https://itsfoss.com/zorin-os-interview/ ↩

  15. "Zorin news releases". DistroWatch.com. Unsigned Integer Limited. Retrieved 27 October 2018. https://distrowatch.com/index.php?distribution=zorin ↩

  16. "Zorin news releases". DistroWatch.com. Unsigned Integer Limited. Retrieved 27 October 2018. https://distrowatch.com/index.php?distribution=zorin ↩

  17. "Zorin news releases". DistroWatch.com. Unsigned Integer Limited. Retrieved 27 October 2018. https://distrowatch.com/index.php?distribution=zorin ↩

  18. "Zorin news releases". DistroWatch.com. Unsigned Integer Limited. Retrieved 27 October 2018. https://distrowatch.com/index.php?distribution=zorin ↩

  19. "Zorin news releases". DistroWatch.com. Unsigned Integer Limited. Retrieved 27 October 2018. https://distrowatch.com/index.php?distribution=zorin ↩

  20. "Zorin news releases". DistroWatch.com. Unsigned Integer Limited. Retrieved 27 October 2018. https://distrowatch.com/index.php?distribution=zorin ↩

  21. "Zorin news releases". DistroWatch.com. Unsigned Integer Limited. Retrieved 27 October 2018. https://distrowatch.com/index.php?distribution=zorin ↩

  22. "Zorin news releases". DistroWatch.com. Unsigned Integer Limited. Retrieved 27 October 2018. https://distrowatch.com/index.php?distribution=zorin ↩

  23. "Zorin news releases". DistroWatch.com. Unsigned Integer Limited. Retrieved 27 October 2018. https://distrowatch.com/index.php?distribution=zorin ↩

  24. "Zorin news releases". DistroWatch.com. Unsigned Integer Limited. Retrieved 27 October 2018. https://distrowatch.com/index.php?distribution=zorin ↩

  25. "Zorin news releases". DistroWatch.com. Unsigned Integer Limited. Retrieved 27 October 2018. https://distrowatch.com/index.php?distribution=zorin ↩

  26. "Zorin news releases". DistroWatch.com. Unsigned Integer Limited. Retrieved 27 October 2018. https://distrowatch.com/index.php?distribution=zorin ↩

  27. "Zorin news releases". DistroWatch.com. Unsigned Integer Limited. Retrieved 27 October 2018. https://distrowatch.com/index.php?distribution=zorin ↩

  28. "Zorin news releases". DistroWatch.com. Unsigned Integer Limited. Retrieved 27 October 2018. https://distrowatch.com/index.php?distribution=zorin ↩

  29. "Zorin news releases". DistroWatch.com. Unsigned Integer Limited. Retrieved 27 October 2018. https://distrowatch.com/index.php?distribution=zorin ↩

  30. "Zorin news releases". DistroWatch.com. Unsigned Integer Limited. Retrieved 27 October 2018. https://distrowatch.com/index.php?distribution=zorin ↩

  31. "Zorin news releases". DistroWatch.com. Unsigned Integer Limited. Retrieved 27 October 2018. https://distrowatch.com/index.php?distribution=zorin ↩

  32. "Zorin news releases". DistroWatch.com. Unsigned Integer Limited. Retrieved 27 October 2018. https://distrowatch.com/index.php?distribution=zorin ↩

  33. "Zorin news releases". DistroWatch.com. Unsigned Integer Limited. Retrieved 27 October 2018. https://distrowatch.com/index.php?distribution=zorin ↩

  34. "Zorin news releases". DistroWatch.com. Unsigned Integer Limited. Retrieved 27 October 2018. https://distrowatch.com/index.php?distribution=zorin ↩

  35. "Introducing Zorin OS 16: Test the Beta Today". 16 April 2021. https://blog.zorin.com/2021/04/15/introducing-zorin-os-16-test-the-beta-today/ ↩

  36. "Zorin OS 16.3 Is Released". blog.zorin.com. Retrieved 2023-07-27. https://blog.zorin.com/2023/07/27/zorin-os-16.3-is-released/ ↩

  37. "Zorin OS 17.1 Is Released". blog.zorin.com. Retrieved 2024-04-15. https://blog.zorin.com/2024/03/07/zorin-os-17.1-is-released/ ↩

  38. "Zorin OS 17.2 Has Landed". blog.zorin.com. Retrieved 2024-04-15. https://blog.zorin.com/2024/09/19/zorin-os-17.2-has-landed/ ↩

  39. "Zorin OS 17.3 is Here". blog.zorin.com. Retrieved 2024-04-15. https://blog.zorin.com/2025/03/26/zorin-os-17.3-is-here/ ↩

  40. Bidwell, Jonni (22 February 2017). "Zorin OS 12 Core". TechRadar. Future plc. Retrieved 27 October 2018. https://www.techradar.com/reviews/zorin-os-12-core ↩

  41. "Zorin OS 12 Review: LinuxAndUbuntu Distro Review Of The Week". LinuxAndUbuntu. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2018. http://www.linuxandubuntu.com/home/zorin-os-12-review-linuxandubuntu-distro-review-of-the-week ↩

  42. Fagioli, Brian (14 August 2018). "Zorin OS 12.4 Linux distribution is here – switch from Microsoft Windows 10 now!". betanews. BetaNews, Inc. Retrieved 27 October 2018. https://betanews.com/2018/08/14/zorin-os-124-linux/ ↩

  43. "Zorin OS 12 Review: LinuxAndUbuntu Distro Review Of The Week". LinuxAndUbuntu. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2018. http://www.linuxandubuntu.com/home/zorin-os-12-review-linuxandubuntu-distro-review-of-the-week ↩

  44. Germain, Jack M. (2021-10-08). "Zorin OS 16: Better GNOME With Much More Simplicity". LinuxInsider. Retrieved 2022-08-26. https://www.linuxinsider.com/story/zorin-os-16-better-gnome-with-much-more-simplicity-87296.html ↩