Zorin OS is a user-friendly Linux-based operating system that provides a familiar desktop environment for users transitioning from other operating systems like Windows or macOS. It was developed by the Irish company Zorin Group.

Zorin OS comes with a customized user interface that resembles the look and feel of Windows or macOS, which makes it easy for users to adapt to the new environment. It also includes a number of pre-installed applications, such as the LibreOffice suite, Firefox web browser, and GIMP image editor.

Zorin OS is available in several different editions, including a free Core edition, a paid Ultimate edition with additional features and applications, and a Business edition designed for enterprise use.

One of the key features of Zorin OS is its compatibility with Windows applications through the use of the Wine compatibility layer, which allows many Windows applications to run on Linux. Zorin OS also includes the ability to run virtual machines, making it possible to run multiple operating systems simultaneously.

Overall, Zorin OS provides a user-friendly and customizable Linux-based operating system that can be a good choice for those looking to make the switch from Windows or macOS.

System Requirements

Find out if your computer is capable of running Zorin OS and which edition is better suited for your computer.

These are the minimum hardware specifications required to install Zorin OS on a computer. If your computer doesn’t meet these requirements, you might be unable to run Zorin OS on it.

Zorin OS Core, Education, and Pro editions

Designed for modern computers.

CPU: 1 GHz Dual Core – Intel/AMD 64-bit processor
RAM: 2 GB
Storage: 10 GB (Core), 24 GB (Education), or 40 GB (Pro)
Display: 1024 × 768 resolution

Zorin OS Lite, Education Lite, and Pro Lite editions

Designed for old and low-spec computers.

CPU: 1 GHz Single Core – Intel/AMD 64-bit processor
RAM: 1 GB
Storage: 10 GB (Lite), 24 GB (Education Lite), or 40 GB (Pro Lite)
Display: 800 × 600 resolution

Macs with Apple silicon

Mac computers with Apple silicon processors cannot currently run Zorin OS natively.

However, you may be able to use an app called UTM to run Zorin OS in a virtual machine on Mac computers with Apple silicon processors.

Download your new Zorin OS .iso file.

If you haven’t already downloaded your new copy of Zorin OS, you will need to get it from our website to proceed.

Download Zorin OS

Please keep the downloaded .iso file on your computer when following the next steps.

Back up your data

Please back up the important files on your computer to an external drive or cloud storage service. After upgrading Zorin OS, you will be able to restore this data to your new installation.

There are many ways to back up important files on your computer. It’s a personal choice which one to use based on habits, preferences, and what is being backed up. We will outline a few options here, but the right solution for you may be a mix of several of these options.

Step 1: Creating a Bootable USB for Zorin OS

Zorin OS itself recommends using balenaEtcher to create a bootable USB. However, you can also use the much lighter Rufus to do this.

In this article, we will use Rufus to create a bootable USB. You can download the latest version of Rufus from the Rufus website.

Download: Rufus

The steps in this section will copy Zorin OS on your USB drive. This will cause the irrecoverable deletion of all the files on the USB. Make sure to back up any files that you might need.

Once you have downloaded Rufus, launch it and follow the steps below:

Inside Rufus, under Device, select your USB drive. Make sure that the USB you want to use is at least 4GB in capacity.
Next to Boot selection, click SELECT and select the Zorin OS ISO file.
Click START.
Press OK in the pop-up window and warning windows. This final warning is that all the data in your USB drive will be deleted.
Rufus will now start copying the files to your USB. This will take a while.

Step 2: Install Zorin OS on Your PC

After preparing your USB, insert it into your PC and reboot the system to install Zorin OS. Accessing the boot menu on your computer’s BIOS is necessary to proceed with the installation process. The specific key to access the boot menu varies based on the manufacturer, but it is commonly F2, F10, F12, or Del. Press the appropriate key before the BIOS hands over control to your existing operating system.

Once you are in the BIOS menu, navigate to the bootloader and select the USB drive to boot the system from it. The next step is to proceed with the Zorin OS installation. In the initial menu, choose the installation graphics you prefer. If you are uncertain, select the first option or pick the modern NVIDIA drivers if you have them. Use the arrow keys to navigate the menu and press Enter to select an option. The installation setup will now verify the files to ensure everything is in place.

After verifying the Zorin OS installation files, you will be presented with the installation window. At this stage, you have two options: either try Zorin OS without installing it or proceed with the installation. Select your preferred language and click the “Install Zorin OS” button to initiate installation.

In the next step, choose your keyboard layout and add additional layouts if needed. Once you have selected your preferred keyboard layout, click on the “Continue” button to proceed to the next step.

In this step, you can choose whether to download and install additional drivers and download updates during the installation process. Simply select your preferences and click on the “Continue” button to move on to the next step.

If you wish to keep your existing operating system and install Zorin OS alongside it for dual-booting, select “Something else” and click the “Install now” button. This will take you to the partition settings, where you can create and delete partitions as needed.

Alternatively, if you want to delete your current operating system and install Zorin OS as the sole one, select “Erase disk and install Zorin OS” and then click the “Install now” button.

After partitioning your disk or selecting to erase and install Zorin OS, you will be prompted to select your region from the drop-down menu. Once you have made your selection, click on the “Continue” button to proceed.

In the next step, you will be asked to enter your name and credentials for your account. Simply enter the requested information and click on the “Continue” button when you are done.

Once you have entered your account information, Zorin OS will begin installing. The installation process may take some time, depending on your computer’s specifications and the settings you selected.

After the installation is complete, Zorin OS will automatically reboot. You will see a black screen prompting you to remove the USB drive. Carefully remove the USB drive and press the “Enter” key on your keyboard to continue.