Zorin OS 17 , a Linux distribution based on the Ubuntu package base 22.04, has been presented. This release is designed specifically for novice users who are familiar with working in Windows. To provide a user-friendly experience, the distribution offers a special configurator that allows users to customize the desktop to resemble various versions of Windows and MacOS. Additionally, the software selection includes programs that are similar to the ones Windows users are accustomed to. The bootable ISO-image for Zorin OS 17 is 3.5 GB in size.
GNOME serves as the foundation for the distribution’s desktop environment, which includes its own additions and a panel based on Dash to Panel and Dash to Dock. To integrate the desktop with smartphones, the distribution includes the Zorin Connect application based on KDE Connect. Zorin OS 17 also offers support for various package formats, including DEB, Ubuntu repositories, Flatpak, Appimage, and SNAP with access to program installations from Flathub and the Snap Store.
In the latest version, Zorin OS 17 brings several improvements:
- Optimization of settings that impact performance and responsiveness of the interface. This includes reduced load times, faster application opening, and smoother animations. Additionally, the minimum RAM requirements have been decreased from two to one and a half gigabytes, allowing users to extend the lifespan of older hardware.
- The system menu has been processed and optimized. A universal search interface has been added, enabling users to search for files, applications, settings, calendar events, and address book records from one place. The search bar can also handle mathematical expressions and can double as a calculator. Specific search processors can be disabled if desired.
