Zorin OS is a Ubuntu-based Linux distribution designed especially for newcomers to Linux. Its goal is to make your computer faster, more powerful, secure, and privacy-respecting.
There are several ways you can get started with Zorin OS. The first is to download Zorin OS Core, the distro’s free edition. If you prefer the XFCE desktop environment, try their Zorin OS Lite, which is targeted for basic use on low-spec PCs.
There is also a paid version called Zorin OS Pro, which includes some additional desktop layouts, artwork, and advanced productivity software for $39. This is a great way to help the developers cover some of their costs.
Today, Zorin’s developers finally released the next major version, Zorin OS 16, which is based on Ubuntu 20.04. It will be supported with software updates and security patches until April 2025. Let’s see what the new features are.
What’s New in Zorin OS 16
Zorin OS 16 has many changes, innovations, and improvements, both underwater and visual. It is loaded with new features and enhancements to take your computer to a new level.
Installation
Zorin OS 16 is one of the easiest-to-install Linux distributions available today. Its installation is almost identical to Ubuntu’s.
Appearance
Zorin points to its premium desktop layouts, including the new Windows 11 flavor and new and updated applications out of the box.
There is a new, more polished default theme that’s easier on the eyes. You’ll find detailed touches and delightful animations throughout the system that elevate your computing experience.
Zorin points to its premium desktop layouts, including the new Windows 11 flavor and new and updated applications out of the box.
The new grid menu, activities overview button, and taskbar icons are placed front and center for easy access and effortless navigation on screens of all sizes. It is available as an option in Zorin OS 16 Pro.
Furthermore, the new version also includes dynamic wallpaper, which changes based on the time of day. The entire theme can adapt, switching automatically to Dark Mode at night.
It is important to note that the lock screen now displays a blurred version of your desktop wallpaper.
Customizable Taskbar
It is now easier than ever to view the status of your running apps at a glance. The taskbar now displays badges showing the number of unread messages and progress bars for ongoing operations, like when copying large files in the Files app.
Zorin OS 16 Performance
Speed has been a top focus in Zorin OS 16, so the desktop runs dramatically snappier on a wide range of hardware, old and new. Performance optimizations have been made at every operating system level, 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.
Touchpad Gestures
In Zorin OS 16, touchpad gestures weren’t available as a standard. Moving between your apps and workspaces is even quicker and easier if you’re using a laptop. In light of this, Zorin OS has introduced multi-touch gestures, which are enabled out of the box.
Now, you can switch between workspaces with fluid 1:1 motion by swiping four fingers up or down. Pinch on the touchpad with three fingers to open the activities overview and instantly see every app running on your workspaces.
Flathub is Now Enabled by Default
More and more open-source applications are being distributed via sources like Flathub, which is growing very fast in popularity. Zorin OS 16 already supported multiple application formats but now also offers applications from the Flathub repository out of the box.
Zorin OS comes pre-loaded with the app catalogs of Flathub, the Snap store, and the Ubuntu & Zorin OS APT repositories and the capability to install .deb & AppImage packages.
In addition, Zorin OS 16 comes with a built-in database that detects popular Windows installer files so that the system can guide you through the installation process (optionally using Windows App Support, powered by WINE).
The Linux kernel in this new major version has been updated to version 5.11.
The built-in Software store has also received many under-the-hood optimizations and user interface improvements to make finding and installing apps from different sources even easier.
Download Zorin OS 16
Zorin OS 16 is available in a paid “Pro” version and a free “Core” version. Other editions, such as “Lite” and “Education,” will be released over the coming months.
Now that you are probably excited about trying out Zorin OS yourself, you can download it via the following button:
After the .iso file has been downloaded successfully to your computer, the easiest option would be to make a bootable USB drive and install it from it.
Whenever a (former) Windows user is asking me to install a Linux, ZorinOS is THE OS that I install for them.
The most user friendly, the most Windows like – so much even that they always can work with it out of the box. The build in Nvidia driver, the possibility to use Active Directory as an easy install option, the build in option to install Windows programs or of the box, that’s all really, REALLY, incredible!
And not to forget aesthetically the absolute most beautiful OS on the market (and that includes macOS!).
As a former Windows user who installed Zorin yesterday, I agree completely. I’ve never used Linux before but had absolutely no trouble installing it and using it. So far I love it – it’s much faster than Windows 10 on my computer and it was easy to find programs to replace everything I used in Windows.
“After the .iso file has been downloaded successfully to your computer, the easiest option would be to make a bootable usb drive and install from it.”
That, of course, is not correct.
The easiest option is to just copy the file onto a USB that has Ventoy installed.
Put it alongside any other .iso files you may want to try.
Then boot directly from the USB – there is no need to burn .iso files any longer.