Zorin OS has announced the Beta release of version 18, the next major update to this popular, user-friendly Ubuntu-based Linux distribution, giving users a pretty good idea of what to expect in the final edition.
The main highlights are a refreshed design, new productivity features, and improved compatibility with apps and services.
The distro is built on Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS and runs on the Linux kernel 6.14. However, that also means its package base isn’t exactly cutting-edge. For example, the Zorin desktop is built against GNOME 46, which was released in March 2024. Anyway.
The first thing users will notice is the redesigned desktop experience – in fact, it’s the distro’s strongest side that usually wins followers. The panel now uses a floating, rounded style (strongly reminiscent of the KDE panel), and system apps like Files, Settings, and Calendar have been updated with cleaner layouts.
On top of that, a new Camera app replaces Cheese, while Evolution Mail introduces a more modern interface. Plus, the default theme has been reworked with a lighter palette and additional accent color choices, including yellow and brown.
The other striking novelty is on the productivity front – Zorin OS 18 introduces new tiling capabilities. To take advantage of it, simply drag a window to the top of the screen and drop it into one of the predefined layouts.
More advanced options include creating custom layouts, enabling auto-tiling, or setting up personalized key bindings. The goal is to make multitasking more straightforward for both new users and power users.
Web app integration is another major highlight. With the built-in Web Apps tool, any site can be turned into a desktop application. That means Microsoft Office 365, Google Docs, Adobe Photoshop, and other cloud-based tools can run directly from the start menu and behave like native apps.
For Windows migrants, Zorin OS 18 also expands its app suggestion system, pointing users toward native or web-based alternatives when a Windows executable is launched.
Cloud integration extends further with OneDrive support. Through Online Accounts in the Settings app, users can log into Microsoft 365 and browse OneDrive files directly from the sidebar in the Files app.
Lastly, additional improvements include:
- Remote login using RDP
- A redesigned Zorin Menu with multi-monitor support
- Search Everywhere in the Files app
- Better sound quality with PipeWire enabled by default
- Expanded hardware support with updated drivers
For more information, see the announcement. The Beta version of Zorin OS 18 Core is available for download, though the developers caution against using it in production environments.
Upgrades from Zorin OS 17 will be enabled once the stable release arrives in the coming weeks. As an LTS release, it will receive support until April 2029.
I used terminal interface since 1970s then GUI with Mac and Windows up to Win10 for 35+ years. But not going to Win11. And not going back to terminal style so voila Zorin comes closest. BUT…. no GUI antivirus and any computer can suffer attacks.
Does anybody know about a simple GUI install anti-virus for Zorin? I don’t mind paying for stable software.
Today 10/7 moved a dell laptop to zorin 17 sumpthing or other and I am so proud of my myself. It works fine and I have zero skills in linux.
Zed. But followed the tips and instructions and put obs, steam, and kdenlive and installed a few gamez. They all work, rules the waves, mini metro and Suzeran all ran well no hickups. Next my other 2 desktop pcs that have better stuff than the laptop.
So far so good Libre Office runs fine as well as google docs. For me this seems to have covered my needs.
Pretty cool
I purchased Zorin OS 17.3 Pro. My goal was to support the Zorinos team. But I didn’t have low expectations. My point is, the Pro version comes with drivers and a few apps already installed. That’s the only difference. It’s not fair for them to charge 79cad for all this. I think it would have been much more accurate to create a donation tab instead.
They have the funds they needed to build something bigger, they did, you contributed to that, like all of us Linux users contribute back to it, whether it be with time or money, time is money. You had early access and that’s awesome. You will defenitely have more perks with pro and remember that you pay for user/device-specific support when purchasing pro
I just downloaded the Beta and ran it live on ventoy and ran through all my checks. I even installed steam and a couple of games. Everything ran perfect, I logged out. I locked back in. I updated with the terminal. I will be installing this tomorrow. Great, thank you Zorin!
Been using ZorinOS since I found about them at version 16 … I was using Ubuntu but I found Zonrin desktop UI more polished.
I usually create dual boot Laptop and Desktop since I switch to play video games… but one major let down or why I haven’t switched completely to Zonrin is that I cannot add full Microsoft 365 account (mail, calendar, oneDrive, etc)
I am using ZorinOS 17.3 right now and I am waiting to upgrade to 18 and hopefully they will finally support full account setup.
Because I use oneDrive to share files between my laptop, my gaming desktop and my cellphone since like 10 years now.
I tried to install alternatives to sync OneDrive but I dont like them and its cumbersome to install.
I just want a working OS and a nice Desktop UI out of the box and not wasting time installing tweaks … that Why I use ZorinOS I think its the best alternative for us Windowa users.
Check out SyncThing, it does exactly what you use onedrive for. It’s an open-source app with no subscription.
Why would one see R ratings two days in a row. What is zorin rated.
It still doesn’t install correctly with OpenZFS and encryption. The grub incompatibility is still blocking you from booting : you will wait forever with a black screen at boot.
I think you should check your steps as I am having zero issues
When do we expect the stable release of Zorin os 18? Thanks