The latest version of the Linux distribution Zorin OS, known as Zorin OS 18.1, has been officially released. This version is based on the Ubuntu 24.04 package base. Zorin OS 18, which was released 6 months ago, has already been downloaded 3.3 million times, with 80% of downloads being carried out by Windows users. Updates for Zorin OS 18.1 will continue to be published until June 2029. Three versions of ISO images (Core, Lite, and Education) are available for download, ranging in size from 4 to 8 GB. The target audience of Zorin OS is novice users familiar with Windows.
To cater to users transitioning from Windows, Zorin OS offers a special configurator that allows users to customize the desktop to resemble different versions of Windows and macOS. The distribution also includes a selection of programs that are similar to those commonly used by Windows users. The desktop in Zorin OS is based on GNOME with its own set of add-ons and a panel utilizing Dash to Panel and Dash to Dock. The distribution also provides the Zorin Connect application, based on KDE Connect, to integrate the desktop with smartphones.
In addition to supporting deb packages and Ubuntu repositories, Zorin OS 18.1 also offers support for Flatpak, AppImage, and Snap formats, allowing users to install programs from Flathub and Snap Store directories. The new version of Zorin OS includes several updates and features to enhance the user experience. The built-in database now includes 240 programs for identifying installers of popular Windows applications. A visual mosaic window layout mode has been introduced, along with options for custom tiling layouts and window snapping.
Overall, Zorin OS 18.1 aims to provide a user-friendly experience for Windows users looking to transition to Linux, offering familiar design elements and a wide range of compatibility options for software installation.