Zorin OS

Zorin OS

Logo
Zorin OS 16.1 Core desktop with GNOME desktop environment
Developer	Zorin Group
Written in	C, C++, Python, D, Java
OS family	Linux (Unix-like)
Working state	Current
Source model	Open-source
Initial release	2009
Latest release	17.1 r2[1] / June 15, 2024; 3 months ago (2024-06-15)
Repository	launchpad.net/~zorinos/+archive/ubuntu/stable/+packages
Marketing target	Personal computers
Available in	Over 50 languages
Update method	Software Updater
Package manager	APT, dpkg, Snap, flatpak
Platforms	x86_64
Kernel type	Monolithic (Linux kernel)
Userland	GNU
Default user interface	GNOME, Xfce
License	Free software + some optional proprietary device drivers
Official website	zorin.com/os/

Zorin OS is a Linux distribution based on Ubuntu with both free and paid versions.^[2] It uses a GNOME 3 and XFCE 4 desktop environment by default, although the desktop is heavily customized for users more familiar with Windows and macOS.^[3][4]

Features

Zorin OS is available in various free and paid versions^[5] including versions using XFCE instead of GNOME for use with older computers.^[6] 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 Microsoft Windows, macOS, or Ubuntu^[7][8][9] and allow the interface to be familiar regardless of the previous system a user has come from.^[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.^[11][12] As of June 2024^[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.

Versions

Legend:	Old version, not maintained	Old version, still maintained	Current stable version	Latest preview version	Future release

Version	Date	Based on	Features/Notes
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 1.0	1 July 2009		Initial release
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS Limited Edition '09	7 December 2009
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 2	1 January 2010	Ubuntu 9.10	Introduces five varieties: Core, Gaming, Multimedia, Educational, Ultimate[15]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 3	10 June 2010	Ubuntu 10.04 LTS	Zorin OS Look Changer added, installation slideshow tutorial[15]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 4	22 December 2010	Ubuntu 10.10	Improved file manager, performance improvements[15]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 5	6 June 2011	Ubuntu 11.04	Core and Ultimate available; new theme, updated software, Zorin-specific program improvements[15]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 5.1	23 August 2011		Updated Linux Kernel, aesthetic updates[15]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 6	18 June 2012	Ubuntu 12.04 LTS	Core and Ultimate available; new desktop environment, "Zorin Look Changer"[15]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 6.1	8 November 2012		Updated kernel and software, security updates[15]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 6.2	27 February 2013		"Zorin Menu" update, stability improvements[15]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 6.3	14 May 2013		Updated kernel[15]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 7	10 June 2013	Ubuntu 13.04	Core and Ultimate available; updated software, Linux kernel 3.8, design overhaul[15]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 6.4	28 August 2013	Ubuntu 12.04 LTS	Updated kernel and software[15]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 8	27 January 2014	Ubuntu 13.10	Core and Ultimate available; updated software, UI improvements, Zorin theme changer[15]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 9	15 July 2014	Ubuntu 14.04 LTS	Core and Ultimate available; stability improvements, Firefox support, more themes[15]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 10	1 August 2015	Ubuntu 15.04	Default application refresh, performance and security improvements[15]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 11	3 February 2016	Ubuntu 15.10	Core and Ultimate available; new default applications, desktop user experience overhaul[15]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 12	18 November 2016	Ubuntu 16.04 LTS	New Zorin Desktop, activities overview, search revamp[15]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 12.1	27 February 2017		Bug fixes, new desktop features, performance improvements[15]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 12.2	8 September 2017		Desktop refinements, performance and stability improvements[15]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 12.3	16 March 2018		Wine compatibility built-in, Direct3D 10 and 11 support[15]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 12.4	13 September 2018		Linux kernel 4.15, performance improvements, software update process streamlining[15]
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 15	5 June 2019	Ubuntu 18.04 LTS	Performance 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, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 15.2	5 March 2020		Stronger security and hardware compatibility
Current stable version: Zorin OS 15.3	8 September 2020		Works better with the updated LibreOffice. Improved hardware compatibility and security.
Old version, no longer maintained: Zorin OS 16	17 August 2021	Ubuntu 20.04 LTS	Visual changes, based on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS, Flatpak support out of the box.[16]
Current stable version: Zorin OS 16.1	10 March 2022		Stronger security and better hardware compatibility.
Current stable version: Zorin OS 16.2	27 October 2022		Ease of use and software updates.
Current stable version: Zorin OS 16.3	27 July 2023		"Zorin OS Upgrader" tool added; updated software packages; same kernel version as Ubuntu 22.04.[17]
Current stable version: Zorin OS 17	20 December 2023	Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
Current stable version: Zorin OS 17.1	7 March 2024	Ubuntu 23.10	Wine 9.0 and Bottles bundled in Windows App Support, Reading Strip, Logseq, LibreOffice 24.2, Thumbnails for more file formats, New Window Placement option, same kernel version as Ubuntu 23.10, better hardware support.[18]

Reception

Zorin OS has been praised for its intuitive and familiar layouts, functionality, and installation process;^[19][20][21] as well as for making it easy to use a Windows-similar layout,^[20] install NVIDIA drivers, and navigate the software store.^[22]

Notes and references

1. "Zorin OS 17.1 r2 - Chat about Zorin". Zorin Forum. 2024-06-15. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
2. Phillip, Watt (2015-08-29). Pro Freeware and Open Source Solutions for Business. Apress. p. 218. ISBN 9781484211304.
3. "Zorin OS: The Linux Distribution for Windows XP and 7 Fans". linux.com. The Linux Foundation. 2016-02-24.
4. "10 reasons to try Zorin OS 9, the Linux OS that looks like Windows". pcworld.com. PC World. 2014-07-30.
5. Johnston, Mike (5 December 2016). "Zorin OS 12 Review". CMS Critic. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
6. Moore, Shawn (2019-12-17). "Zorin OS Lite Review - 15.1 Lite Edition". CMS Critic. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
7. "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.
8. "Zorin OS". DistroWatch.com. 2018-08-28. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
9. 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.
10. "Zorin OS Review - An alternative to macOS and Windows". www.fosslinux.com/. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
11. "Zorin Grid - Manage all of your computers. As easily as one". Retrieved 2023-02-27.
12. "Zorin Grid Lets You Remotely Manage Multiple Zorin OS Computers". 2020-01-16. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
13. "Zorin Grid". Zorin. Archived from the original on June 8, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
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.
15. "Zorin news releases". DistroWatch.com. Unsigned Integer Limited. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
16. "Introducing Zorin OS 16: Test the Beta Today". 16 April 2021.
17. "Zorin OS 16.3 Is Released". blog.zorin.com. Retrieved 2023-07-27.
18. "Zorin OS 17.1 Is Released". blog.zorin.com. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
19. Bidwell, Jonni (22 February 2017). "Zorin OS 12 Core". TechRadar. Future plc. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
20. "Zorin OS 12 Review: LinuxAndUbuntu Distro Review Of The Week". LinuxAndUbuntu. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
21. 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.
22. Germain, Jack M. (2021-10-08). "Zorin OS 16: Better GNOME With Much More Simplicity". LinuxInsider. Retrieved 2022-08-26.

External links

• Official website
• Zorin OS at DistroWatch