The release of the Linux distribution Zorin OS 18.1 has been published, based on the package base of Ubuntu 24.04. It is noted that the previously released Zorin OS 18, formed 6 months ago, has been downloaded 3.3 million times, with about 80% of all downloads performed by Windows users. Updates for the release of Zorin OS 18.1 will continue until June 2029. Three variants of ISO images are available for download (Core, Lite, and Education), sized at 4 and 8 GB.
The target audience for the distribution consists of novice users accustomed to working in Windows. To manage the appearance, the distribution offers a special configurator that allows users to customize their desktop to resemble various versions of Windows and macOS, and it includes a selection of programs similar to those familiar to Windows users.
Zorin OS uses GNOME as the basis for its desktop, along with a set of custom extensions and a panel based on Dash to Panel and Dash to Dock. To integrate the desktop with smartphones, the Zorin Connect application (based on KDE Connect) is included. In addition to packages in deb format and Ubuntu repositories, support for Flatpak, AppImage, and Snap formats is included by default, allowing for the installation of programs from the Flathub and Snap Store directories.
In the new version:
- The built-in database for identifying installers of popular Windows applications has been expanded to 240 (up from 170) programs. When attempting to launch installers for Windows programs present in the database, a dialog appears suggesting to install either an equivalent or the native version of the software for Linux.
- In the visible mosaic window layout mode, which allows users to avoid memorizing complex keyboard shortcuts (Zorin Appearance → Windows → Advanced Window Tiling), a setting has been added to bring all tiled windows to the foreground after switching to one of the applications in the mosaic layout from the taskbar. An option has been added to the mosaic layout editing dialog for changing the arrangement of windows. It is now possible to snap windows to the edges of the screen using arbitrary mosaic layouts, not just layouts that split the screen into two or four parts.
- Support for displaying text in right-to-left script has been added to the panel.
- An option to enable or disable the display of indicators on the panel for applications that provide quick access to functions or display status has been added to the settings.
- Versions of programs, such as LibreOffice 26.2, have been updated.
- The supply of the 'Lite' edition, aimed at use on low-powered computers, has been resumed. The build is equipped with the Xfce 4.20 desktop environment. The file manager features a more compact interface optimized for small screens. Support for fingerprint authentication has been added. The themes have been updated. Support for launching isolated web applications, which are displayed in the start menu similarly to classic programs, has been implemented.
- The Linux kernel has been updated to version 6.17. Fresh versions of drivers for NVIDIA GPUs have been transferred from Ubuntu 25.10. Support for Intel Xe3 GPUs and systems with hybrid graphics equipped with discrete AMD graphics cards has been added.
- Support for Lenovo ThinkPad and Samsung Galaxy Book laptops, Magic Mouse 2 and Touch Bar input devices, PlayStation 5 DualSense gaming controllers, Acer Nitro NGR200 and Turtle Beach Recon, as well as portable gaming consoles ASUS ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and OneXPlayer has been added.
Source: opennet.ru
