Today marks 15 years since the release of Zorin OS version 1.0 on 1 July 2009. This release was the proof of concept behind the goal of Zorin OS: to create a Linux desktop experience accessible to everyone. An operating system that’s faster, more powerful, secure, and privacy-respecting, all while giving you back the freedom and control of your digital life. This has been the north star to guide our direction ever since.
By maintaining a clear focus on simplicity and continuously improving Zorin OS over the years, we’ve been able to manifest this goal into reality. Today, Zorin OS is a powerful computing experience that has been enjoyed by countless people in homes, schools, businesses, and governments around the world.
We’re thrilled to say that the latest Zorin OS 17 release has reached over 1.3 million downloads & upgrades since its release six months ago. What’s even more exciting is that over 78% of new downloads came from Windows and macOS users, reflecting our mission to bring the power of Linux to people who’ve never had access to it before. We’ve been overwhelmed by the terrific feedback we’ve heard from you and the press, with the latest Zorin OS featured in ZDNET, ExplainingComputers, and WIRED.
None of this progress could be possible without the help of you; the community. We want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you: from our very first users; to those who supported us with the Pro edition; to the volunteers on our forum; to everyone who spread the word of Zorin OS throughout the years.
The Zorin OS Archive
We’ve received many requests from the community for access to historical versions of Zorin OS. To celebrate this anniversary, we’ve created a way to go back in time and experience every release of Zorin OS since the very beginning.
This is the first time all historical versions of Zorin OS have been published for download in one place. This includes the little-known Zorin OS Limited Edition ‘09, which was previously only available to purchase on DVD during the Holiday Season of 2009.
We hope the Zorin OS Archive will be a fun and helpful resource to Zorin OS fans for years to come.
We believe the next 15 years will be even more incredible than the last. The future is bright!
As always, our core focus will be to continue making Zorin OS even better for the benefit of all.
However, we have big plans to take the original goal of Zorin OS even further. From the expansion of our core team to the introduction of new products that will broaden the reach of Zorin OS to many new kinds of users. We can’t wait to share these developments with you over the coming months and years.
Once again, we want to thank every one of you for being part of this exciting journey together so far. Here’s to the next 15 years!
After just over two months since its release, Zorin OS 17 has been downloaded over half a million times. More than 78% of these downloads came from proprietary platforms like Windows and macOS, reflecting our mission to bring the power of Linux to new people and to grow the community for the benefit of all.
Ever since; we’ve been listening to your feedback and working tirelessly to make our greatest operating system even better. We’re excited to bring you these improvements with the release of Zorin OS 17.1 today.
What’s new
Enhanced Windows App Support
To craft the most user-friendly desktop experience, we endeavor to support the widest selection of apps and games in Zorin OS. With this new release, we’re making it even easier to run your favorite apps, regardless of which platform they were originally developed for.
Tailored alternatives to more Windows apps
We’ve expanded our built-in database to detect installer files for popular Windows apps and games. It now supports over 100 apps, providing even more tailored recommendations for alternatives to sideloading their Windows executables.
For example, launching the Windows installers for apps like the Opera Browser or Todoist now directs you to install their native Linux versions from the built-in Software store. This makes it even easier to get the most compatible versions of these apps for the best experience in Zorin OS.
Powered by Wine 9.0
When you run Windows-native apps in Zorin OS 17.1, you’ll now get the full capabilities of the latest Wine 9.0 version. The compatibility layer now has significantly improved support for more Windows software. That means you’ll be able to run an even larger selection of apps & games effortlessly.
Now includes Bottles
When you enable Windows App Support in Zorin OS 17.1, it now comes bundled with Bottles. This tool lets you run Windows software in a sandboxed environment and provides a neat way to organize your apps and games. Bottles comes with a built-in app store, which installs and pre-configures a growing selection of Windows apps for even better compatibility with the system.
Education edition now available
We’re thrilled to launch Zorin OS 17.1 Education alongside the Core and Pro editions today. It pairs the latest improvements to Zorin OS with educational software that makes learning better and more impactful at pre-schools, primary, and secondary schools.
Reading Strip
Based on the feedback from teachers and students around the world, we’ve now included Reading Strip in Zorin OS 17.1 Education. When enabled from the “Interface” section of Zorin Appearance, you’ll instantly see a visual guide that follows your cursor to help you focus while reading.
It’s especially beneficial to students affected by dyslexia and ADHD, allowing them to study more efficiently and achieve better learning outcomes.
Logseq
To help students and teachers organize their classwork, we’ve included Logseq. It’s your second brain, a one-stop toolbox to manage your knowledge and think better.
Take notes, write journals, create flashcards, reference links between your essays with the graph view, and collaborate with whiteboards in one place. It’s Open Source and respects your privacy, so you have total control over your data.
The latest LibreOffice
LibreOffice is one of the most essential apps in Zorin OS, and with this new release, it’s getting even better. We’ve included LibreOffice 24.2, the latest version of the award-winning office suite.
It brings even better compatibility with Microsoft Office/365 documents, new options in the comments feature for easier collaboration, enhancements to the user interface, and many other improvements. Learn more about what’s new ›
With this upgrade, we’re further achieving our goal of making Zorin OS the best alternative to Windows for work.
Newer apps
Many other pre-installed apps are updated in Zorin OS 17.1 for a more feature-rich experience out-of-the-box. That also means you’ll need to download fewer software updates after installing Zorin OS onto your computer.
Built-in support for Flatpak, AppImage, and Snap packages ensures you’ll have the latest versions of your favorite apps in Zorin OS 17 for years to come.
Thumbnails for more file formats
The Files app and file picker dialog will now display informative thumbnails for even more file formats:
.exe installers
.AppImage apps
RAW images
.epub ebooks
It’s a minor improvement that makes a meaningful contribution to a more cohesive and productive workflow.
New Window Placement option in Zorin Appearance
By popular demand, we’ve introduced the option to set how to place new windows from the “Interface” section of Zorin Appearance. You can now choose between new windows appearing Centered or Spread out across the desktop.
Better security and compatibility
Many built-in system technologies have received improvements for better security, compatibility, and performance. Zorin OS 17.1 is now powered by the same version of the Linux kernel and graphics stack as in the latest Ubuntu 23.10. It comes with updated drivers, bringing even better support for a wider range of hardware, such as:
Intel Core Ultra processors
AMD Zen 4 CPUs (including newer Ryzen and EPYC chips)
NVIDIA graphics cards
Wi-Fi 7 chipsets
Steam Deck
More game controllers
The latest security patches are also pre-installed throughout the system. That means you can have peace of mind knowing you’re using the most secure version of Zorin OS ever.
The Zorin OS 17 version series will continue to get support with software updates and security patches until June 2027.
How to get Zorin OS 17.1
Upgrade
If you’re using Zorin OS 17. You can upgrade to Zorin OS 17.1 by installing the latest updates from the Software Updater today.
If you’re using Zorin OS 16. You can perform an in-place upgrade to Zorin OS 17.1 without erasing your files and data. To do so, view our upgrade guide ›
Download
All editions of Zorin OS 17.1 are available from our website.
If you’ve already purchased Zorin OS 17 Pro, you can download a new copy of Zorin OS 17.1 Pro from the download link in your original purchase email. If you lost access to this email, you can resend it here.
Buy a computer
Thinking of getting a new computer? Buy a laptop or desktop with Zorin OS 17.1 pre-installed from our computer brand partners who help contribute to the Zorin OS project, like Laptop with Linux ›
We’re excited to announce that we’re officially launching upgrades from Zorin OS 16 to 17 today.
If you’re using Zorin OS 16, you can now upgrade your computer to Zorin OS 17 directly through the Upgrade Zorin OS app, without needing to re-install the operating system. That means you’ll be able to keep your files, apps, and settings, all while taking advantage of the new features and improvements in Zorin OS 17.
We’ve been overwhelmed by the terrific feedback about Zorin OS 17 from the community and the press. Since its release just over a month ago, Zorin OS 17 has garnered more than a quarter million downloads. We’re thrilled to finally make this major new version available to the millions of existing Zorin OS 16 users today.
"[Zorin OS 17] could be the best Linux distro of the year (and it’s not even close)" – ZDNET
“Zorin OS 17 is a beautiful desktop operating system and a great choice of distro for those who want to migrate from Windows to Linux”
– ExplainingComputers
“the Wow factor is definitely present with [Zorin OS 17]" – InfinitelyGalactic
"[Zorin OS 17] is bringing an even leaner computing experience to the table. This beauty runs like a dream now!" – Linux Tex
Spatial Desktop, one of the new features in Zorin OS 17
How to upgrade from Zorin OS 16 to 17
To avoid data loss, please back up the important files on your computer to an external drive or cloud storage service. View how to back up your files ›
Install the latest software updates by opening the Zorin Menu → System Tools → Software Updater and following the on-screen instructions.
Open the Zorin Menu → System Tools → Upgrade Zorin OS to start the upgrade process.
Existing Zorin OS Pro customers are eligible for a discount on the new Zorin OS 17 Pro. To avail of this discount, select the “Zorin OS 17 Pro” option in the Upgrade Zorin OS app and enter your email address & Support Code for your previous copy of Zorin OS Pro. Every purchase supports the development of Zorin OS for the benefit of all.
The upgrade to Zorin OS 17 is currently available to all users of the Zorin OS 16 Core and Pro editions. Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know when upgrades are available for other editions of Zorin OS 16.
Finally, we want to take this opportunity to thank the users who took part in testing this upgrade path. Your feedback has helped us to improve the stability and user experience of the upgrade process.
After just over a month since its release, Zorin OS 17 has garnered more than a quarter million downloads. We want to take this moment to thank you – the community – for spreading the word and helping to make this such an incredible release!
Ever since, we’ve been working on a way for existing Zorin OS 16 users to upgrade their computers to Zorin OS 17 directly, without needing to re-install the operating system. This means you’ll be able to keep your files, apps, and settings, all while taking advantage of the new features and improvements in Zorin OS 17.
We’re excited to announce that we’re officially launching upgrades from Zorin OS 16 to 17 today. This upgrade path is in early testing and is currently only available to users of the Zorin OS 16 Core and Pro editions. Upgrading today will allow us to collect feedback and fix bugs to improve the user experience before its full stable launch in the coming weeks.
How to upgrade from Zorin OS 16 to 17 (in testing)
Warning: This upgrade path is not recommended for production machines yet. Upgrading during the testing period may cause stability issues or breakages on your system.
To avoid data loss, please back up the important files on your computer to an external drive or cloud storage service. View how to back up your files ›
Install the latest software updates by opening the Zorin Menu → System Tools → Software Updater and following the on-screen instructions.
Open the Zorin Menu → Utilities → Terminal and enter this command: gsettings set com.zorin.desktop.upgrader show-test-upgrades true
Follow the instructions in stage 3 of this guide to complete the upgrade process.
After the testing period is completed in the coming weeks, this upgrade option will be available to all Zorin OS 16 users through the Upgrade Zorin OS app. Stay tuned to our newsletter to be the first to know when upgrades are enabled for everyone.
Since the release of our last major version in August 2021, Zorin OS 16 has garnered over 6.2 million downloads. Ever since, we’ve been listening to your feedback and working tirelessly to build the ultimate alternative to Windows and macOS; one that helps to make your computer better, faster, easier, more secure, and privacy-respecting.
Today, we’re excited to finally launch the next major version of our operating system: Zorin OS 17. This is a huge leap forward that refines every level of the operating system: from how it looks to how it works. It’s packed with new exciting features and improvements that help you to get the most power out of your computer, so you can accomplish more than ever.
To get Zorin OS 17 now, visit the Download page or read on to learn about what’s new.
What’s new
Faster and smoother performance
Speed has been a top focus in Zorin OS 17, so the desktop runs dramatically snappier on a wide range of hardware, old and new.
Performance optimizations have been made at every level of the operating system, from the kernel to the desktop environment. Apps open faster, animations are smoother, and loading times are reduced so you can spend more time being productive.
Thanks to these optimizations, we’ve also been able to lower the minimum system requirements of Zorin OS from 2 GB of RAM to only 1½ GB of RAM. This makes it the perfect option to extend the life of old and low-spec computers, saving you money on upgrades and helping the environment.
Universal search and other improvements to the Zorin Menu
As the starting point of your Zorin OS experience, the Zorin Menu has been overhauled to make it even faster for you to get where you want. Search for files, calendar appointments, contacts, apps from the Software store, world clocks, and even use the menu search as a calculator.
You can adjust which search providers are enabled from the Settings → Search panel or by right-clicking on the menu and selecting “Search Settings” from the new context menu here (which also includes a link to the Edit Menu app and other system shortcuts).
There’s also now a new “All Apps” category in the default menu layout that lets you browse through all your apps in an alphabetically sorted list.
Multitasking redefined
Zorin OS 17 makes multitasking more seamless with a new and refined activities overview.
Workspaces are now arranged horizontally, and you can open the overview with a 3-finger up/down swipe on your touchpad and switch between them with a 3-finger left/right swipe, as well as the usual Super/Logo key shortcut.
Double-tapping the Super key now expands the app grid, so you can open a new app by dragging and dropping its icon onto your desired workspace.
You can configure the app and workspace switching behaviour from the new Settings → Multitasking panel.
Spatial Desktop
Introducing an exciting new way to take multitasking to the next dimension. Spatial Desktop gives you better contextual awareness about what’s happening on your desktop, all while making your computing experience more fun.
With the new Desktop Cube, you can switch between workspaces in 3D. Your app windows float off the desktop surface with a parallax effect, so you can see behind them.
There’s also the new Spatial Window Switcher, which replaces the standard flat Alt+Tab and Super+Tab dialog with a 3D window switcher. It makes it easier to quickly switch between apps with rich and informative visuals.
You can enable these Spatial Desktop features from the new “Effects” section of Zorin Appearance.
Refreshed Software store
The Software store has been greatly improved and is now significantly faster. It sports a beautiful new design with a refined home screen that makes it easier to explore the endless selection of apps available to download. It’s powered by the latest GNOME Software version 45.2.
App details pages have been overhauled with bigger screenshots and new information tiles, which provide a better overview of every app.
Refreshed app details page for Discord
New information tiles
The Software store sources apps from APT, Snap, and Flatpak packages (from Flathub) out of the box, all in a unified and cohesive interface. Zorin OS 17 also supports AppImage, .deb, and Windows software (.exe and .msi installers with Windows App Support) for the broadest app support ever.
These improvements and features make it easier and more enjoyable to get your favourite apps in Zorin OS.
Advanced window tiling
As one of our most requested features, we’re introducing an advanced window-tiling experience for power users.
After enabling it from the “Interface” section of Zorin Appearance, you’ll immediately be able to use quarter screen corner tiling and keyboard shortcuts. You’ll also see a helpful popup to select the other app you wish to display side-by-side.
Open the information menu to switch on “Advanced / Experimental Settings”, and you’ll have access to custom tiling layouts and more granular options.
New Quick Settings menu
The panel’s system indicator menu has been completely revamped to give you additional options with a more beautiful and thoughtfully designed interface.
It now gives you direct access to a one-click Dark Mode toggle and audio device selection, and allows you to adjust your system’s performance with the new Power Modes option.
Adjustable Power Modes
Ever wanted to extend the life of your laptop’s battery on the go? Or max out your computer’s performance when you’re doing heavy tasks?
The new Power Modes option lets you change the balance between system performance and power efficiency on-demand. Switch between Balanced (for standard performance & power usage), Power Saver, and Performance (on supported hardware) with one click.
New screenshot & screen recording experience
Capturing an image or video of your screen is a great way to show or remember exactly what’s happening on your computer, making it easier to share, explain, or solve problems.
To improve the screen-capturing experience in Zorin OS 17, the screenshot interface is now an overlay on the desktop. This makes it easier to capture a window, a specific portion of the screen, or the entire desktop. You can now also record a video of the screen from here, without needing to use a third-party screen recording app.
To access the new screenshot & screen recording interface, just press the Print Screen key on your keyboard or click the camera icon at the top of the new Quick Settings menu.
Redesigned Weather app
The weather app has been completely redesigned, with a more beautiful and information-rich interface. You can now switch between a detailed Hourly and Daily forecast for the next 10 days.
This weather data is integrated throughout the desktop, like in the desktop clock menu and Calendar app so you can plan your events smarter.
2 new desktop layouts in Zorin OS Pro
Switching your desktop layout is one of the stand-out features that make Zorin OS so familiar and user-friendly. We’re making it even better and more expansive with the introduction of 2 new desktop layouts in Zorin OS 17: a ChromeOS-like layout and a GNOME 2-like layout.
ChromeOS-like desktop layout
GNOME 2-like desktop layout
You’ll be able to switch to these two layouts – as well as the current selection – in one click from Zorin Appearance in Zorin OS 17 Pro.
…And so much more
Better support for Windows software: Windows App Support includes significant improvements that allow you to run even more Windows apps and games than ever before. It’s now powered by the latest WINE version 8.0.2. You can learn more about the Windows App Support feature here.
Parental controls: After creating a Standard (non-Administrator) user account, you can access new Parental Controls from the Settings → Users panel.
Slimmer status popups: The on-screen display bubbles for volume and brightness changes are less obtrusive with a smaller display footprint, while still conveying the same information.
Better hardware support: Zorin OS 17 comes bundled with updated drivers, which make it easier to use Zorin OS with many newer computers and hardware peripherals. It will continue to receive updates over time to expand support for new hardware even further into the future.
Remote desktop sharing with RDP: When you enable Remote Desktop sharing from the Settings → Sharing panel, it now uses the RDP protocol by default. This offers a smoother, more secure, and featureful remote desktop experience. You can still enable VNC (the previous default protocol) from a toggle in the Settings → Sharing → Remote Desktop options.
Updated theme styling: We’ve refined how the desktop and apps look & feel with an updated theme, which now works with native Gtk4 apps and first-party libadwaita apps.
New logotype: You’ll notice a bolder and more refined “ZORIN” logotype during the start-up animation and on the login screen.
Newer apps: Many other pre-installed apps are updated in Zorin OS 17 for a more feature-rich experience out of the box.
Long-Term Support until 2027: Zorin OS 17 will be supported with software updates, security patches, and driver updates until at least June 2027. This makes it the perfect choice for large deployments in businesses, schools, and organisations.
This is only scratching the surface of what’s new and better in Zorin OS 17. With the consolidation of hundreds of new features and improvements in this release, Zorin OS 17 is the clearest manifestation of our vision we set forth over 15 years ago: to combine the most powerful desktop technology with the most user-friendly design.
How to get Zorin OS 17
Download
You can download Zorin OS 17 Core and Pro from the Download page on our website today.
Thinking of getting a new computer? Buy a laptop or desktop with Zorin OS 17 pre-installed from our computer brand partners like Laptop with Linux. Every purchase helps contribute to the Zorin OS project.
We’re thrilled to finally share our next giant leap with the release of the Zorin OS 17 Beta today.
This major new release comes packed with exciting new features and improvements to take your computer to a whole new level. We paid close attention to your feedback when designing and crafting Zorin OS 17 to bring you our greatest and most refined computing experience ever.
What’s new
Universal search and other improvements to the Zorin Menu
As the starting point of your Zorin OS experience, the Zorin Menu has been overhauled to make it even faster for you to get where you want. Search for files, calendar appointments, contacts, apps from the Software store, world clocks, and even use the menu search as a calculator.
You can adjust which search providers are enabled from the Settings > Search panel or by right-clicking on the menu and selecting “Search Settings” from the new context menu here (which also includes a link to the Edit Menu app and other system shortcuts).
There’s also now a new “All Apps” category in the default menu layout that lets you browse through all your apps in an alphabetically sorted list.
Multitasking redefined
Zorin OS 17 makes multitasking more seamless with a new and refined activities overview.
Workspaces are now arranged horizontally, and you can open the overview with a 3-finger up/down swipe on your touchpad and switch between them with a 3-finger left/right swipe, as well as the usual Super/Logo key shortcut.
Double-tapping the Super key now expands the app grid, so you can open a new app by dragging and dropping its icon onto your desired workspace.
You can configure the app and workspace switching behaviour from the new Settings > Multitasking panel.
Spatial Desktop
Introducing an exciting new way to take multitasking to the next dimension. Spatial Desktop gives you better contextual awareness about what’s happening on your desktop, all while making your computing experience more fun.
With the new Desktop Cube, you can switch between workspaces in 3D. Your app windows float off the desktop surface with a parallax effect, so you can see behind them.
There’s also the new Spatial Window Switcher, which replaces the standard flat Alt+Tab and Super+Tab dialog with a 3D window switcher. It makes it easier to quickly switch between apps with rich and informative visuals.
You can enable these Spatial Desktop features from the new Effects section of Zorin Appearance.
Faster and smoother performance
Speed has been a top focus in Zorin OS 17, so the desktop runs dramatically snappier on a wide range of hardware, old and new.
Performance optimizations have been made at every level of the operating system, from the kernel to the desktop environment. Apps open faster, animations are smoother, and loading times are reduced so you can spend more time being productive.
Refreshed Software store
The Software store has been greatly improved and is now significantly faster. It sports a beautiful new design with a refined home screen that makes it easier to explore the endless selection of apps available to download.
App details pages have been overhauled with bigger screenshots and new information tiles, which provide a better overview of every app.
Refreshed app details page for Discord
New information tiles
All of these improvements make it easier and more enjoyable than ever to get your favourite apps in Zorin OS.
Advanced window tiling
As one of our most requested features, we’re introducing an advanced window-tiling experience for power users.
After enabling it from the “Interface” section of Zorin Appearance, you’ll immediately be able to use quarter screen corner tiling and keyboard shortcuts. You’ll also see a helpful popup to select the other app you wish to display side-by-side.
Open the information menu and switch on “Advanced / Experimental Settings”, and you’ll have access to custom tiling layouts and more granular options.
New Quick Settings menu
The panel’s system indicator menu has been completely revamped to give you additional options with a more beautiful and thoughtfully designed interface.
It now gives you direct access to a one-click Dark Mode toggle and audio device selection, and allows you to adjust your system’s performance with the new Power Modes option.
Adjustable Power Modes
Ever wanted to extend the life of your laptop’s battery on the go? Or max out your computer’s performance when you’re doing heavy tasks?
The new Power Modes option lets you change the balance between system performance and power efficiency on-demand. Switch between Balanced (for standard performance & power usage), Power Saver, and Performance (on supported hardware) with one click.
New screenshot & screen recording experience
Capturing an image or video of your screen is a great way to show or remember exactly what’s happening on your computer, making it easier to share, explain, or solve problems.
To improve the screen-capturing experience in Zorin OS 17, the screenshot interface is now an overlay on the desktop. This makes it easier to capture a window, a specific portion of the screen, or the entire desktop. You can now also record a video of the screen from here, without needing to use a third-party screen recording app.
To access the new screenshot & screen recording interface, just press the Print Screen key on your keyboard or click the camera icon at the top of the new Quick Settings menu.
Redesigned Weather app
The weather app has been completely redesigned, with a more beautiful and information-rich interface. You can now switch between a detailed Hourly and Daily forecast for the next 10 days.
This weather data is integrated throughout the desktop, like in the desktop clock menu and Calendar app so you can plan your events smarter.
Coming Soon: 2 new desktop layouts
Switching your desktop layout is one of the stand-out features that make Zorin OS so familiar and user-friendly. We’re making it even better and more expansive with the introduction of 2 new desktop layouts in Zorin OS 17: a ChromeOS-like layout and a GNOME 2-like layout.
ChromeOS-like desktop layout
GNOME 2-like desktop layout
You’ll soon be able to switch to these two layouts – as well as the current selection – in one click from Zorin Appearance in Zorin OS 17 Pro.
…And so much more
Parental controls: After creating a Standard (non-Administrator) user account, you can access new Parental Controls from the Settings > Users panel.
Slimmer status popups: The on-screen display bubbles for volume and brightness changes are less obtrusive with a smaller display footprint, while still conveying the same information.
Streamlined pre-installed app selection: Due to popular demand, we’ve reviewed the app selection to include only the most essential apps in the Core edition of Zorin OS 17. The default games (like Solitaire and Mines) are no longer included to make Zorin OS more suitable for an office environment. Maps and the To-Do app are also no longer included. However, you still have access to these apps from the Software store.
Remote desktop sharing with RDP: When you enable Remote Desktop sharing from the Settings > Sharing panel, it now uses the RDP protocol by default. This offers a smoother, more secure, and featureful remote desktop experience. You can still enable VNC (the previous default protocol) from a toggle in the Settings > Sharing > Remote Desktop options.
Better hardware support: Zorin OS 17 comes bundled with updated drivers, which makes it easier to use Zorin OS with many newer computers and hardware peripherals.
Updated theme styling: We’ve refined how the desktop and apps look & feel with an updated theme, which now works with native Gtk4 apps and first-party libadwaita apps.
New logotype: You’ll notice a bolder and more refined “ZORIN” logotype during the start-up animation and on the login screen.
Long-Term Support until 2027: Zorin OS 17 will be supported with software updates and security patches until at least June 2027. This makes it the perfect choice for large deployments in businesses, schools, and organisations.
This is only scratching the surface of what’s new and better in Zorin OS 17. With the consolidation of hundreds of new features and improvements in this release, Zorin OS 17 is the clearest manifestation of our vision we set forth over 15 years ago: to combine the most powerful desktop technology with the most user-friendly design.
How to test the Zorin OS 17 Beta
You can download the Zorin OS 17 Core Beta today from the link below. Upgrades from Zorin OS 16 to 17 are not yet available but will be added shortly after the stable release of Zorin OS 17 in the coming weeks.
Warning: Please keep in mind that this pre-release is not recommended for installation on production machines as there may be stability issues. We are aware of a small number of other issues which will be resolved before the full stable release, including:
The full selection of default wallpapers isn’t included yet
Tour welcome video (which appears at first login after installation) still shows Zorin OS 16
Your feedback
If you notice any issues or would like to suggest improvements while using the Zorin OS 17 Beta, please leave us feedback about it. You can do so by clicking this Feedback link or by launching the “Send Feedback” taskbar shortcut in the Zorin OS 17 Beta.
Help translate Zorin OS 17
Know another language? Help us to translate the Zorin apps into your language so more people can use it.
We’re thrilled to report that Zorin OS 16 has been downloaded over 5.3 million times, all in under two years after its initial release. Thank you all for helping to make this the biggest release of Zorin OS ever!
Today, we’re excited to announce the launch of Zorin OS 16.3. It’s packed with improvements that elevate your computing experience even further.
What’s new
Zorin OS Upgrader: our most anticipated feature ever
Zorin OS 16.3 is our first version that comes pre-installed with the new Zorin OS Upgrader. This is the feature our community has requested most throughout the years.
It allows you to easily upgrade between releases and editions of Zorin OS, without needing to re-install the operating system. That means you can upgrade seamlessly from Zorin OS 16 Core → Pro or Zorin OS 15 → 16 while keeping your files, apps, and settings.
The Upgrader will make it remarkably more convenient for you to access the latest and greatest software far into the future.
After over a year in development, we’re proud to announce that we’ve released the Zorin OS Upgrader as a stable feature today.
That means all existing Zorin OS 16 and 15 installations will also get the Zorin OS Upgrader in the latest software updates. Simply open the Zorin Menu → System Tools → Upgrade Zorin OS to start the upgrade.
We’ve updated the Zorin Connect app for Android with a variety of new features to make your cross-device experience more seamless:
Run commands on your computer from the power menu in Android 11+
More playback controls when Spotify is playing on your computer
Automatically reconnect to trusted networks in the background on Android 10+
A themed monochrome icon in Android 13+
Improved translations
Various quality-of-life improvements throughout the app
The latest LibreOffice
LibreOffice is one of the most essential apps in Zorin OS, and with this new release it’s getting even better. We’ve included LibreOffice 7.5, the latest version of the award-winning office suite. Some of the new enhancements include:
Even better compatibility with Microsoft Office/365 documents
Major improvements to dark mode
Refreshed design for the tabbed navigation interface
Data tables now supported in charts
Filter documents by type from the LibreOffice app
Improved visibility for in-document bookmarks
With these upgrades, we’re further achieving our goal of making Zorin OS the best alternative to Windows as a free and open work environment.
Newer apps
Many other pre-installed apps are updated in Zorin OS 16.3 for a more feature-rich experience out of the box. That also means you’ll need to download fewer software updates after installing Zorin OS onto your computer.
Built-in support for Flatpak, AppImage, and Snap packages ensures you’ll have the latest versions of your favorite apps in Zorin OS 16.3 for years to come.
Better security and compatibility
Many built-in system technologies have received improvements for better security, compatibility, and performance.
Zorin OS 16.3 is powered by the same version of the Linux kernel as in Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (GA). It comes with updated drivers, bringing even better compatibility with more hardware. That includes support for newer components like NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 4070, 4060 Ti, and 4060 graphics cards out of the box.
The latest security patches are also pre-installed throughout the system. That means you can have peace of mind knowing you’re using the most secure version of Zorin OS ever.
The Zorin OS 16 version series will continue to get support with software updates and security patches until April 2025.
How to get Zorin OS 16.3
Upgrade
If you’re using Zorin OS 16. You can upgrade to Zorin OS 16.3 by installing the latest updates from the Software Updater today.
If you’re using Zorin OS 15. You can perform an in-place upgrade to Zorin OS 16.3 without erasing your files and data. To do so, view our upgrade guide ›
Download
All editions of Zorin OS 16.3 are available from the Download page on our website.
If you’ve already purchased Zorin OS 16 Pro, you can download a new copy of Zorin OS 16.3 Pro or Pro Lite from the download link in your original purchase email. If you lost access to this email, you can resend it here.
Buy a computer
Thinking of getting a new computer? Buy a laptop or desktop with Zorin OS 16.3 pre-installed from our computer brand partners like Laptop With Linux. Every purchase helps contribute to the Zorin OS project.
After receiving countless requests from you throughout the years, we’re thrilled to introduce our most anticipated feature ever: the Zorin OS Upgrader. It allows you to upgrade between releases and editions of Zorin OS in-place, easily and seamlessly.
In the past, the only way to upgrade between major releases of Zorin OS (for example, Zorin OS 15 to 16) or between editions (Zorin OS Core to Pro) was to perform a clean install. That meant you needed to back up your files and erase your apps & settings upon each major upgrade, before setting up your work environment from scratch again.
The new Zorin OS Upgrader makes this process easier by allowing you to keep your current installation. Simply follow a few quick steps to select your upgrade option and sit back while it handles the heavy lifting.
How to upgrade
Starting today, you can upgrade from the free editions of Zorin OS 16 to the Pro edition or from Zorin OS 15 (64-bit) to Zorin OS 16.
The Zorin OS Upgrader is currently in Beta testing and may cause stability issues in rare cases. We don’t recommend choosing this option for mission-critical production systems.
However, if you wish to be among the first to try it today, you can learn how to use the new Zorin OS Upgrader in our upgrade guide.
After the Beta testing period is completed in the coming weeks, the Zorin OS Upgrader will roll out to all Zorin OS 15 and 16 users as a software update.
Help translate the Zorin OS Upgrader
Know another language? Help us to translate the new Zorin OS Upgrader into your language so more people can use it.
Just over a year after we released Zorin OS 16 in August 2021, we’re thrilled to say that it’s been downloaded over 3.5 million times. We’ve been overwhelmed by the terrific feedback we’ve heard from users around the world. Thank you all for helping to make this the biggest release of Zorin OS ever!
Today, we’re excited to announce Zorin OS 16.2. It introduces refinements that elevate the desktop experience even further. Read on to learn about what’s new since Zorin OS 16.1.
Easier to install Windows apps
For those who wish to use Windows apps and games in Zorin OS, we’ve made it even easier to find and install Windows App Support. You can now simply open the Zorin Menu, navigate to the “System Tools” section, and open “Windows App Support” to activate it in one click.
We’ve also expanded our built-in database that detects Windows installer files for popular apps and games. It provides even more tailored recommendations for alternatives to sideloading Windows executables, guiding you to a better user experience. For example, launching Windows installers for the Epic Games Store or GOG Galaxy now directs you to install the Heroic Games Launcher, which is the best way to play games from these stores in Zorin OS.
These improvements help take the guesswork out of running your favorite apps and games, regardless of which platform they were originally developed for. It’s another step towards making Zorin OS the most friendly and accessible alternative to Windows for everyday users.
Enhancing the office experience
Alternatives to Microsoft fonts
When documents are created on other platforms, they often use the default fonts from Microsoft Office/365 or Windows. However, these fonts are under a proprietary license, so they can’t be pre-installed in Zorin OS for all users.
Because of this, documents may display with incompatible fonts instead. This can cause documents to not only look different than intended but also to shift their layout and corrupt their formatting.
Comparison with previous font selection
Because of how prevalent these proprietary fonts are in documents, this issue became a significant barrier to those hoping to switch to Zorin OS for their work environment.
Zorin OS 16.2 comes with an updated font selection to help solve this problem. We’ve introduced Open Source metric-compatible alternatives to some of the most popular fonts. They appear similar to their proprietary counterparts and have the same character dimensions, so documents display with the correct formatting.
Carlito: the alternative to Calibri (the default typeface in Microsoft Office/365)
The system substitutes these fonts automatically, so you can start working on documents from other platforms seamlessly.
The new LibreOffice
LibreOffice is one of the most important apps in Zorin OS, and with this new release, it’s getting even better. We’ve included LibreOffice 7.4, the latest version of the award-winning office suite. Some of the new enhancements include:
Even better compatibility with Microsoft Office/365 documents
Improvements to change-tracking in Writer for easier collaboration
Support for images in WebP and EMD/WMZ formats
More options and features for editing documents
Performance boosts while opening, editing, and exporting documents, so you can get more work done quicker
With these upgrades, we’re further achieving our goal of making Zorin OS the best alternative to Windows as a free and open work environment.
Newer apps
In addition to LibreOffice, you’ll notice that many pre-installed apps have been updated in Zorin OS 16.2. Not only does this provide a more feature-rich experience out of the box, but you’ll need to download fewer software updates after installing Zorin OS onto your computer.
Improvements to Zorin Connect
You can now view your computer’s battery status on your phone. The battery level and charging status are visible in the new Status bar at the bottom of the Zorin Connect Android app’s device screen.
These battery statistics are shared with your paired phone by default in Zorin OS 16.2. If you originally installed an earlier version of Zorin OS 16 on your computer, you can enable this feature by following these steps:
Update the Zorin Connect app on your phone
Open the Zorin Connect app on your computer
Click on your paired phone in the “Devices” list
Navigate to the “Battery” section
Switch on the “Share Statistics” option
The Zorin Connect app for Android has also been updated with other new features:
Send your phone’s clipboard with one tap from the phone app’s home screen
Option to show notifications on your computer only if the phone’s screen is off
Add loop and shuffle controls to Multimedia Control (for supported media players)
Allow configuring the action for left clicks in Remote Input
New About screen
GDevelop in Zorin OS Education
Now more than ever, it’s vital for students to learn technology skills to prepare them to succeed in the 21st century. Zorin OS Education has always provided powerful tools to teach coding and engineering in a fun and accessible way.
In Zorin OS 16.2 Education, we’re introducing another incredible tool: GDevelop. It’s full-featured, no-code game development software that lowers the barrier to learning programming, while giving students an infinite canvas to express their creativity. It’s accompanied by a comprehensive set of tutorials that guide you through every step in developing a game, so students have the freedom to learn at their own pace.
“With GDevelop, you can make simple projects for fun, create ambitious indie games or even build the next hit, grossing 1 million downloads like some games powered by GDevelop! Professionals, educators or hobbyists all use GDevelop for game making.”
― The GDevelop team
Students have the power to publish their games on mobile app stores, game platforms like Steam, or the web. By going through the entire process of dreaming up, creating, and sharing their creations with the world, kids can gain valuable experience and get excited about making a positive impact in their lives and the world.
Jelly Mode is upgraded to provide an even more fun desktop experience. The animation engine for wobbling windows has been refactored and uses updated physics variables by default for more lively interactions. Maximizing a window now also triggers the effect, better replicating the feel and behavior of jelly.
Stronger security and better hardware compatibility
Many built-in system technologies have received improvements for better security, compatibility, and performance.
Zorin OS 16.2 is now powered by the same version of the Linux kernel as in Ubuntu 22.04 and comes with new drivers, bringing even better support for hardware such as:
NVIDIA graphics cards, including the GeForce RTX 4090
AMD Radeon and Intel graphics cards
Framework Laptop with 12th Generation Intel Processors
Xbox One Controller
Apple Magic Mouse
USB4
More Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and audio devices
The latest security patches are also included throughout the system, so you can have peace of mind knowing that you’re using the most secure version of Zorin OS ever.
The Zorin OS 16 release series will continue to be supported with software updates and security patches until April 2025.
How to get Zorin OS 16.2
Upgrade
If you’re already running Zorin OS 16, you can upgrade to Zorin OS 16.2 by installing the latest updates from the Software Updater today.
Download
All editions of Zorin OS 16.2 are available from the Download page on our website.
If you’ve already purchased Zorin OS 16 Pro, you can download a new copy of Zorin OS 16.2 Pro or Pro Lite from the download link in your original purchase email. If you lost access to this email, you can resend it here.
Buy a computer
Thinking of getting a new computer? Purchase a new laptop or desktop with Zorin OS 16.2 pre-installed from one of our computer manufacturer partners like Laptop With Linux. Every purchase helps contribute to the Zorin OS project.
Since the release of Zorin OS 16.1, we’ve donated all profits1 from the sales of Zorin OS Pro to humanitarian aid charities helping the people of Ukraine.
As our fundraising initiative has now come to a close this St. Patrick’s Day, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you – our community – for your heartfelt support during this difficult time.
“Your kindness and generosity have been overwhelming and inspiring. As Irish Ukrainians ourselves, we would like to sincerely thank every one of you on behalf of all Ukrainians.
Whether you contributed to the fundraiser or expressed words of solidarity, your support means a lot to us, our family, and the people of Ukraine.”
– The Founders
Artyom & Kyrill
We’re delighted to announce that we’ve raised an incredible €31,366.77 ($34,681.05 USD2) with your support this week! This is an astonishing sum that went far beyond our expectations and will go a long way in helping those most in need.
We’ve donated these funds to three humanitarian aid charities helping Ukrainians affected by the war:
€10,455.59 to the Red Cross, which is working on the ground in Ukraine to support health facilities, repair vital infrastructure, and help families in need with food and hygiene items.
€10,455.59 to Tabletochki, a Ukrainian charity providing life-saving treatment to children in their fight against cancer during this terrible war.
If you missed the chance to contribute through this fundraiser but still wish to help, we would encourage you to click on the names of the charities above and donate directly to them.
Once again, we would like to thank you for your kind contributions and solidarity. We hope that the situation de-escalates swiftly and that peace is restored to Ukraine.
Profits = Total Revenue − Sales Taxes & Bank Fees ↩︎
EUR to USD conversion rate from XE.com as at 17:25 GMT 18 March 2022 ↩︎
Today, we’re introducing Zorin OS 16.1 – our most advanced operating system ever. It’s packed with improvements to help you work better, updates to apps and system-level software, and support for new hardware.
However, this launch comes during a historically calamitous occasion, affecting our family, friends, and all people of Ukraine. We want to take this opportunity to provide support and humanitarian aid to the ordinary citizens facing hardship in Ukraine and to the families fleeing the violence.
Support the people of Ukraine
“As Irish Ukrainians ourselves, we stand with our friends and relatives in Ukraine at this difficult time. To the people of Ukraine affected by the war, we’re sending you aid and are pledging to support you.
We hope that the situation de-escalates swiftly and that peace is restored to our ancestral homeland.”
– The Founders
Artyom & Kyrill
We’re proud to announce that we’ll be donating all profits from sales of Zorin OS Pro for the next week to humanitarian aid causes helping the people of Ukraine.
The Red Cross is working on the ground in Ukraine to support health facilities, repair vital infrastructure, and help families in need with food and hygiene items.
Tabletochki is a Ukrainian charity providing life-saving treatment to children in their fight against cancer during this terrible war.
Funds raised between now and 17 March (17:00 GMT) will be split equally between the above charities. Every purchase of Zorin OS Pro will help to support the Ukrainian people in their time of need.
LibreOffice is one of the most important apps included in Zorin OS, and with this new release, it’s getting even better. We’ve included LibreOffice 7.3, the latest version of the award-winning office suite. This version will allow you to work quicker and more effectively with new enhancements, including:
Even better compatibility with Microsoft Office documents
Enhanced tracking of changes in text and tables
More options and features when editing documents
Performance boosts when opening and editing documents
Visual improvements with more accessible icons in dark mode
Newer apps
In addition to LibreOffice, you’ll notice that many of the pre-installed apps have been updated when using Zorin OS 16.1. Not only does this provide a more feature-rich experience out of the box, but fewer software updates will need to be downloaded after installing Zorin OS onto your computer.
Stronger security and better hardware compatibility
Many built-in system technologies have seen improvements for better security, compatibility, and performance. Zorin OS 16.1 introduces new security patches out of the box, so you can have peace of mind knowing that you’re using the most secure version of Zorin OS ever. In addition, there’s even better support for hardware such as:
Newer NVIDIA graphics cards including the RTX 3050
Framework Laptop
Apple Magic Mouse 2
Sony PlayStation 5 DualSense controller
Intel Core 12th generation processors
Epson, HP, Canon, Fuji Xerox, DYMO, and other printers
More Wi-Fi and audio hardware
The Zorin OS 16 release series will continue to be supported with software updates and security patches until April 2025.
How to get Zorin OS 16.1
Upgrade
If you’re already running Zorin OS 16, you can upgrade to Zorin OS 16.1 by installing the latest updates from the Software Updater today.
Download
All editions of Zorin OS 16.1 are available from the Download page on our website.
If you’ve already purchased Zorin OS 16 Pro, you can download a new copy of Zorin OS 16.1 Pro or Pro Lite from the download link in your original purchase email.
All profits from new purchases of Zorin OS Pro for the next week will be donated to humanitarian aid causes helping the people of Ukraine.
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