Zorin OS is a Linux distribution designed to make the switch from Windows or macOS as smooth as possible. It ships with a familiar desktop layout, built-in Windows app compatibility, and a polished interface that feels right at home for anyone used to traditional desktop operating systems. Zorin OS 18, released in October 2025, is based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS with Linux kernel 6.14 and is supported until June 2029.
This guide walks through a complete Zorin OS 18 installation from downloading the ISO to configuring your desktop after the first boot. The steps apply to Zorin OS Core, Pro, and Education editions on any 64-bit Intel or AMD system.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have the following ready:
- A 64-bit Intel or AMD processor (1 GHz dual-core minimum)
- At least 2 GB RAM (4 GB or more recommended for a smooth experience)
- 15 GB free disk space for Core, 35 GB for Education, 45 GB for Pro
- A USB flash drive with at least 4 GB capacity
- Display with 800×600 resolution or higher
- Internet connection (optional but recommended for updates during install)
Step 1: Download Zorin OS 18 ISO
Head to the official Zorin OS download page and pick the edition that fits your needs. Zorin OS 18 comes in three main editions:
| Edition | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Core | Free | Everyday desktop use – web browsing, office work, media |
| Pro | Paid | Power users – extra desktop layouts, creative apps, advanced features |
| Education | Free | Schools and students – includes educational software |
All editions are based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and receive security updates until June 2029. The Core edition is the best starting point for most users. A Lite edition built on XFCE for older hardware is also expected.
After downloading, verify the ISO integrity using the SHA256 checksum provided on the download page. On Linux or macOS, run:
sha256sum Zorin-OS-18-Core-64-bit.isoCompare the output hash with the one listed on the Zorin OS website. If they match, the download is intact and safe to use.
Step 2: Create a Bootable USB Drive
You need to write the Zorin OS ISO to a USB flash drive to boot from it. Two popular tools for this are Balena Etcher and Ventoy.
Option A: Balena Etcher
Balena Etcher is a graphical tool that works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Download it from the official site, then:
- Open Etcher and click Flash from file
- Select the Zorin OS ISO you downloaded
- Choose your USB drive as the target
- Click Flash! and wait for it to finish
Etcher verifies the write automatically after flashing, so you know the USB is ready.
Option B: Ventoy
Ventoy takes a different approach – you install it once on a USB drive, then simply copy ISO files onto it. No reflashing needed when you want to try a different distro. If you frequently test Linux distributions, this is the better option. Just copy the Zorin OS ISO to the Ventoy USB drive and it appears in the boot menu automatically.
Option C: dd command (Linux/macOS)
If you prefer the command line, identify your USB drive device name first:
lsblkLook for your USB drive in the output – it is typically /dev/sdb or /dev/sdc. Make sure you identify the correct device to avoid overwriting the wrong disk. Then write the ISO:
sudo dd if=Zorin-OS-18-Core-64-bit.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress oflag=syncReplace /dev/sdX with your actual USB device. The status=progress flag shows write progress in real time.
Step 3: Boot from USB
Insert the bootable USB drive into the target computer and restart it. Access the boot menu by pressing the appropriate key during startup – this varies by manufacturer:
| Manufacturer | Boot Menu Key |
|---|---|
| Dell | F12 |
| HP | F9 or Esc |
| Lenovo | F12 or Fn+F12 |
| ASUS | F8 or Esc |
| Acer | F12 |
| MSI | F11 |
Select the USB drive from the boot menu. If your system uses UEFI (most modern machines), choose the UEFI entry for the USB device. If Secure Boot causes issues, you can temporarily disable it in the BIOS/UEFI settings – Zorin OS works with Secure Boot enabled on most hardware, but some systems may need it turned off.
Step 4: Try or Install Zorin OS
After booting from the USB, the Zorin OS live environment loads. You get two options:
- Try Zorin OS – boots into a full live desktop without touching your hard drive. Use this to test hardware compatibility, check that Wi-Fi works, and explore the interface before committing
- Install Zorin OS – launches the installer directly
It is a good idea to try the live session first, especially on laptops, to confirm that your graphics card, Wi-Fi, trackpad, and other peripherals are detected. Once you are satisfied, double-click the Install Zorin OS icon on the desktop to begin installation.
The installer first asks you to select your language and keyboard layout. Pick your preferred language and click Continue. For keyboard layout, the installer auto-detects most layouts – verify it matches yours and proceed.
Step 5: Choose Installation Type and Partitioning
This is the most important step – how Zorin OS handles your disk. The installer presents several options depending on what is already on your drive.
Option 1: Install alongside Windows (Dual Boot)
If Windows is detected, the installer offers to shrink the Windows partition and install Zorin OS next to it. A slider lets you allocate how much space each OS gets. This is the safest option for users who want to keep Windows available. The GRUB bootloader will present a menu at startup to choose between Zorin OS and Windows. If you are migrating from Windows, having a Windows bootable USB as a backup is a good precaution.
Option 2: Erase disk and install Zorin OS
This wipes the entire disk and gives all space to Zorin OS. Choose this if the computer will run Zorin OS exclusively. The installer also offers an option to encrypt the disk with LVM – enable this if the computer is a laptop or stores sensitive data. You will set an encryption password that is required at every boot.
Option 3: Something else (Manual Partitioning)
For full control over the partition layout, choose Something else. A recommended manual partition scheme for UEFI systems:
| Mount Point | Size | Type |
|---|---|---|
| /boot/efi | 512 MB | EFI System Partition (FAT32) |
| / | 30-50 GB | ext4 |
| /home | Remaining space | ext4 |
| swap | Equal to RAM (up to 8 GB) | linux-swap |
If you already have an EFI partition from a previous OS, select it and set the mount point to /boot/efi without formatting it. Creating a separate /home partition makes future OS reinstalls easier since your personal files stay on a separate partition.
Step 6: Configure Timezone and User Account
After partitioning, the installer asks for your timezone. It usually auto-detects based on your IP address – click the map or type your city to adjust if needed.
Next, create your user account:
- Your name – full name displayed on the login screen
- Your computer’s name – hostname on the network (e.g.,
workstationorjoes-laptop) - Username – the login name used for your account and home directory
- Password – choose a strong password. This is also your sudo password
You can choose between logging in automatically or requiring a password at each login. For laptops and shared computers, requiring a password is the secure choice.
Step 7: Installation Progress
The installer copies files, installs the bootloader, and configures the system. This takes anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes depending on your hardware speed and whether you are installing to an SSD or HDD. A slideshow introduces Zorin OS features while you wait.
When the installation finishes, a dialog prompts you to Restart Now. Click it and remove the USB drive when prompted. The system reboots into your fresh Zorin OS installation.
Step 8: First Boot and Desktop Tour
On first boot, Zorin OS 18 presents a welcome screen with quick setup options. The default desktop uses GNOME Shell with Zorin’s custom panel at the bottom – a taskbar-style layout that Windows users will find immediately familiar.
Key elements of the Zorin OS 18 desktop:
- Panel – a floating, rounded taskbar at the bottom with pinned apps, system tray, and a reactive workspace indicator
- Activities menu – click the Zorin menu button (bottom-left) to access the app launcher, search, and installed applications
- Window tiling – drag a window to the top of the screen to see tiling layout options. Snap windows side by side or into custom grid arrangements
- Files – the redesigned file manager with a cleaner interface and integrated cloud storage support
- Software store – browse and install apps from APT, Flatpak, and Snap sources in one place
Zorin OS 18 ships with Firefox, LibreOffice, and a selection of everyday applications pre-installed. The Zorin OS 18 release announcement covers the full list of new features and design changes.
Step 9: Post-Install Essentials
After logging into your new desktop, run through these essential post-installation tasks.
Update the system
Open a terminal with Ctrl+Alt+T and run a full system update to pull in the latest security patches and bug fixes:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -yReboot after the update if any kernel packages were upgraded:
sudo rebootInstall additional drivers
Zorin OS includes a driver manager that detects hardware needing proprietary drivers – especially NVIDIA graphics cards and some Wi-Fi chipsets. Open it from the app menu by searching for Additional Drivers, or run from the terminal:
software-properties-gtk --open-tab=4Select the recommended driver for your hardware and click Apply Changes. A reboot is required after installing graphics drivers. For detailed NVIDIA driver installation on Ubuntu-based systems, check our Linux NVIDIA driver installation guide.
Install popular software
The Software store covers most needs, but here are some common applications you might want to install from the terminal:
sudo apt install vlc gimp audacity transmission-gtk -yFor applications not available in the Ubuntu repositories, Flatpak is a good alternative. Zorin OS supports Flatpak out of the box through the Software store.
Enable Windows app compatibility
Zorin OS 18 ships with Windows App Support powered by WINE 10, which can run many Windows applications directly. The system detects .exe and .msi installer files and offers to run them through the compatibility layer. Over 170 popular Windows applications are recognized and supported. For full Microsoft Office access, Zorin OS also includes a Web Apps tool that turns Office 365, Teams, and other web services into standalone desktop applications.
Set up system backups
Before you start customizing and installing software, set up regular backups. Timeshift is the go-to backup tool for Ubuntu-based systems – it creates system snapshots that let you roll back if something breaks. You can follow our guide on backing up Ubuntu and Linux Mint using Timeshift to get it configured.
Step 10: Customize with Zorin Appearance
One of the standout features of Zorin OS is the Appearance app, which lets you completely change how your desktop looks and behaves. Open it from the app menu by searching for Zorin Appearance.
The Appearance app offers:
- Desktop layouts – switch between Windows-like, macOS-like, GNOME, and other panel arrangements with one click. Pro users get 12 layout options including Ubuntu and ChromeOS styles
- Theme colors – choose from multiple accent colors including the new Yellow and Brown options in Zorin OS 18
- Dark/Light mode – switch between light, dark, or auto mode that follows the time of day
- Fonts and icon packs – customize the look further with different icon themes and font choices
- Desktop effects – enable or disable animations and transparency effects
The layout switching is particularly useful for users coming from different operating systems. If you are used to Windows, the default bottom-panel layout works well. If you prefer macOS, switch to the layout with a top bar and dock. For a comparison of Zorin OS with other beginner-friendly distros, see our Zorin OS vs Elementary OS comparison.
Conclusion
Zorin OS 18 is installed and ready to use. You have a fully updated system with drivers configured, essential software installed, and a desktop customized to your workflow. The Ubuntu 24.04 LTS base gives you access to a massive software library and long-term security support through June 2029.
For a production-ready setup, consider enabling the firewall with sudo ufw enable, setting up automatic security updates, and configuring Timeshift for regular system snapshots. If you are running Zorin OS on a laptop, check the power management settings in the Settings app to optimize battery life.
