Zorin OS

Zorin OS is a Linux distribution based on Ubuntu with both free and paid versions.^[1] 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.^[2][3]

Zorin OS

Logo
Zorin OS 17.3 desktop with the 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[citation needed]
Initial release	2009
Latest release	Zorin OS 17.3 / March 26 2025
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/

Features

Zorin OS is available in various free and paid versions^[4] 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 Ubuntu^[6][7][8] 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.^[11][12] 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 maintained

Old version, still maintained

Latest version

Latest preview version

Future version

Version	Date	Base	Kernel version	Features/Notes
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 1.0	1 July 2009			Initial release
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS Limited Edition '09	7 December 2009
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 2	1 January 2010	Ubuntu 9.10		Introduces five varieties: Core, Gaming, Multimedia, Educational, Ultimate[15]
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 3	10 June 2010	Ubuntu 10.04 LTS		Zorin OS Look Changer added, installation slideshow tutorial[15]
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 4	22 December 2010	Ubuntu 10.10		Improved file manager, performance improvements[15]
Old version, not 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, not maintained: Zorin OS 5.1	23 August 2011			Updated Linux Kernel, aesthetic updates[15]
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 6	18 June 2012	Ubuntu 12.04 LTS		Core and Ultimate available; new desktop environment, "Zorin Look Changer"[15]
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 6.1	8 November 2012			Updated kernel and software, security updates[15]
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 6.2	27 February 2013			"Zorin Menu" update, stability improvements[15]
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 6.3	14 May 2013			Updated kernel[15]
Old version, not 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, not maintained: Zorin OS 6.4	28 August 2013	Ubuntu 12.04 LTS		Updated kernel and software[15]
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 8	27 January 2014	Ubuntu 13.10		Core and Ultimate available; updated software, UI improvements, Zorin theme changer[15]
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 9	15 July 2014	Ubuntu 14.04 LTS		Core and Ultimate available; stability improvements, Firefox support, more themes[15]
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 10	1 August 2015	Ubuntu 15.04		Default application refresh, performance and security improvements[15]
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 11	3 February 2016	Ubuntu 15.10		Core and Ultimate available; new default applications, desktop user experience overhaul[15]
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 12	18 November 2016	Ubuntu 16.04 LTS		New Zorin Desktop, activities overview, search revamp[15]
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 12.1	27 February 2017			Bug fixes, new desktop features, performance improvements[15]
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 12.2	8 September 2017			Desktop refinements, performance and stability improvements[15]
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 12.3	16 March 2018			Wine compatibility built-in, Direct3D 10 and 11 support[15]
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 12.4	13 September 2018			Linux kernel 4.15, performance improvements, software update process streamlining[15]
Old version, not 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, not maintained: Zorin OS 15.2	5 March 2020			Stronger security and hardware compatibility
Old version, not maintained: Zorin OS 15.3	8 September 2020			Works better with the updated LibreOffice. Improved hardware compatibility and security.
Old version, still 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]
Old version, still maintained: Zorin OS 16.1	10 March 2022			Stronger security and better hardware compatibility.
Old version, still maintained: Zorin OS 16.2	27 October 2022			Ease of use and software updates.
Old version, still maintained: Zorin OS 16.3	27 July 2023			"Zorin OS Upgrader" tool added; updated software packages; same kernel version as Ubuntu 22.04.[17]
Old version, still maintained: Zorin OS 17	20 December 2023	Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
Old version, still maintained: Zorin OS 17.1	7 March 2024			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, updated Linux Kernel and Graphics Stack with the same Version found in Ubuntu 23.10, better hardware support.[18]
Old version, still maintained: Zorin OS 17.2	19 September 2024		6.5.0-xx	Updated 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.[19]
Latest version: Zorin OS 17.3	26 March 2025	Ubuntu 22.04 LTS	6.8.0.xx	Zorin 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.[20]

Reception

Zorin OS has been noted as having intuitive and familiar layouts, functionality, and installation process;^[21][22][23] as well as for making it easy to use a Windows-similar layout.^[22][24]