Zorin OS 7 Released – A Ultimate Linux Desktop with Windows 7 Feel
Since Linux is founded in 1991, Linux is transformed into a mature operating system, ready to use operating system even for people that never touch a computer before. Linux at the beginning only had Command Line Interface (CLI). Over time, Linux begins to have Graphical User Interface (GUI).
New Update: Zorin OS 11 : An Ultimate Linux Desktop Designed for Windows Users
However, Linux came after Microsoft Windows. Many people are more familiar with Microsoft Windows than Linux. One of the reasons why people are reluctant to switch to Linux is because of its user interface. On the enterprise level – at least in the place that I work – it is not easy to push employee to change from Microsoft Windows into Linux. Changing from Microsoft Windows to Linux, means that they must learn about how to use Linux.
What is Zorin OS
To reduce high learning curve, now we have Zorin OS. From Zorin website, it said that:
“Zorin OS is a multi-functional operating system designed specifically for Windows user who want to have easy and smooth access to Linux.”.
By default, Zorin OS will have a graphical interface which similar with Windows 7. Based on Ubuntu Linux which is the most popular Linux desktop across the globe, Zorin OS is trying to influence Windows users.
Zorin Features
Here’s are some features that Zorin OS have:
- No risk of getting viruses
- Much faster than Windows 7
- An easy to use and familiar desktop
- Customizable user interface using Look Changer
- Stable as it is based on the robust Linux operating system
- All the software you will ever need out of the box
- Extremely versatile and customizable Open Source software
- Available over 55 languages
Download Zorin OS 7 DVD ISO’s
Zorin OS is divided into two versions. Free and Premium. You can download the free version from Zorin OS website.
Premium version is available in exchange for a donation for physical DVD or download directly from Zorin OS dedicated server.
Next you should burn it into a DVD. If you prefer to use USB stick for the media, you can try using UNetBootin.
Zorin OS 7 Installation Guide with Screenshots
In this article, we are covering Zorin OS 7 Free version and 32 bit system. Once you have Zorin OS in the DVD or USB stick, we can start the installation.
This first time Zorin OS is booted, you will see a Grub Screen. If you want to try before install it, press Boot the Live System.
Boot Zorin OS
After waiting for short time, you will see a Zorin OS in Live System. As you can see, the the feel of its taskbar is similar with Windows 7 although not 100% identical.
Boot Zorin Live CD
If you want to install Zorin OS right away, double-click the Install Zorin OS icons. Then we continue to the next step. The first installation screen of Zorin OS is the language. You must pick one language before go to the next step.
Language Selection
Then Zorin will ask you confirmation about this installation. Make sure you have at least 8,1 GB free space on your harddisk.
Preparing to Install Zorin
Don’t forget to choose the installation type. If you are a common user, the Erase disk and Install Zorin option is the best. But please notice that this option will delete any files on the disk.
Select Installation Type
Then Zorin will ask you keyboard language. Just pick one.
Select Keyboard Layout
Next, pick your timezone.
Select Timezone
Enter your user detail. Even using weak password is allowed, but it is not recommended.
Submit User Information
After that, Zorin will start copying files to your computer.
Copying Files
Copying Files Process
Copying Files Process Continue
Almost Finished Copying Files
Completed Copying Files
When its finished, reboot your computer and remove the DVD / USB Stick.
Zorin OS Desktop
Sneak peak of Zorin OS
As we are know, Linux has many distribution. Zorin OS is based on Ubuntu Linux. As we mentioned before, one the advantages of Zorin OS is its graphical interface and its feel like Windows 7. Here are some screen shots about it.
Windows 7 like Start Menu
Start Menu
Intuitive Login Screen
Zorin Login Screen
Guest Login
Zorin also enabled Guest User by default. So if your colleague want to use computer, just let him / her use Guest User.
Guest Login
Browser Manager
To surf the Internet you will see Google Chrome browser as default. If you prefer to choose one, you can easily install Firefox, Opera, or Midori browser. Just point your cursor to Start > Internet > Zorin Browser Manager.
Browser Manager
Control Panel
Zorin OS has clean interface for its System Setting. The System Setting is divided into three section : Personal, Hardware and System. If you want to search some function, just drop your cursor into searching box which located on the top right area and type what you want to search.
System Settings
Firewall
Zorin OS is protected by ufw Firewall. Ufw is a front-end to iptables firewall. Ufw is running it console mode. Luckily, Gufw as a graphical front-end to iptables is installed by default.
Zorin Firewall
User Account
Zorin OS named a root user with Administrator. This naming remind user to Windows environment who also named a super user account with Administrator.
User Account
Change Look and Feel
Zorin OS Free version comes with 3 Look and Feel. It’s Windows 7 (default), Windows XP and Gnome 2. To change its Look and Feel, just go to Start > System Tools > Zorin Look Changer.
Change Look and Feel
Conclusion
Zorin OS is not Windows 7. Using Zorin OS won’t give you the same experience of using Windows 7. But it’s probably closer to the user experience of Windows 7. What do you think?
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is it 100% compatible with win 7?
I am not really understand what is your question :-)
Zorin OS is based on Ubuntu, which is a different OS from Microsoft Windows. Some of Windows application may be running on Zorin OS using an emulator such as PlayOnLinux (http://zorin-os.com/windowsprogramguide.html).
But if you mean about the experience of using Zorin OS, I think it different for every person. For me, the experience of using Zorin on my daily jobs is very close to the experience of using Windows 7.
I tried Zorin on my laptop recently. Its interface is nice and really similar to windows, however I experienced some graphical glitches or problems with the distro. Maybe its because of the drivers for my graphic card but I didn’t find it quite as stable as Ubuntu.
Last Week I collect the Zorin-os 6 and install in my Laptop. Superb it is allmost look like windows and user friendly. Most of customers ask me (I am Service & Support Provider of IT Sector) have any low cost OS and Office for professional use ? Because MS Windows and MS Office very high cost professional version, most of customer cannot afford it. I give them Ubuntu Os but they cannot use this easily. But Zorin-os solved this problem. I am already install and trained some my customes and they satisfied and happy with Zorin-os and Libra office also. Very Very thanks to Zorin-os team. But i am feel some problem installation and operation of Tally ERP9 Software. It is most popular accounting software in India. Wine soft i use for it some issue is there. Again thanks Zorin-on.
I will purchase this because of your good suggestion.
Hi ,
Have been a Windows user since 3.0 when I got my first computer and have never been challenged by a windows machine. I also build and refurb systems, (mostly Dells) pretty consistently I have been very bothered by the price and restriction of the OS.
Don’t get me wrong, if anything is well authored and properly documented the author deserves what he can sell the item for.
Zorin has pretty much blown me away. One of the main reasons I have stayed with Windows is the ability to run Text to Speech and Speech activated and controlled (dictation) software like Dragon Naturally Speaking (pro, preferred, and other upper line versions.
But they are strict and just just mean about their licensing. Have you thought of making that a part of Zorin? If you could incorporate it as a plugin or upgrade to Zorin you would easily grab a large part of the user market. Especially someone like me who has M.S. and typing and system control are problematic at times due to my condition.
Not to mention that the user base world wide of senior and elderly is growing immensely.
Marketing wise, it seems to me to be the final thing that could push a Linux OS into prominence in the market. If it could be delivered at a reasonable price (NOT necessarily free :-)
It could be the one big feature that separated Zorin from the rest and make it a must have OS for todays market of users, especially infirmed and or elderly. If it had the look and familiarity of Windows and the functionality of speech in Windows 7 and up you could dominate the market.
Hey not so silly as Adobe’s first unique offerings/feature that allowed the rest of their success was basically a font manipulator Postscript and some unique fonts (that barely anyone can remember today. But it allowed them to set their name in desktop publishing Pagemaker, Premier, Illustrator, and so on to their prominence today and hold on the DTP and related markets.
With Google offering their voice to text library (or so I heard) and the open source folks starting to get on to developing it, it sounds like the thing the like with Zorin could jump you to prominence in the desktop and enterprise market acceptance over Windows rather quickly.
Now, wouldn’t the addition of voice would also allow you to be offering Zorin as a premium over the Linux open source regulations now allowing you to charge something for the value added feature? Just a thought. Write back and we can talk about this some other time.
Now can you tell me where I can get or see about the other versions of ultimate I see mentioned (and their features)? Business, Multimedia, __?__ ? and let me know how I can order and “donate” for those?
Thanks
John S.
Don’t publish my email and contact into that I will write back to you if you want to correspond more,
(Oh and Adobe also offered PDF reader for free as another step on their way to success.. it was really I think the first widely accepted spyware :-)
Hi John Stoeffler
Actually, I have never purchase the other version of Zorin OS. But the Ultimate and Business version can be found from Zorin website. http://zorin-os.com/premium8.html . The latest version of Zorin-OS is version 8.
I think you can contact them for more detail information. http://zorin-os.com/contacts.html
I hope this helps :-)
Hi Furqan,
Based on my experience, I found no problem about drivers in Zorin since it based on Ubuntu. Zorin comes with LibreOffice. But we change it with free version of KingSoft Office.
Unfortunately, I haven’t try install Adobe Photoshop here. If you really need Adobe Photoshop, you may purchase it and install it under PlayOnLinux software which is available in Zorin.
You may want to read How to install software in Zorin OS from http://zorin-os.com/packageguide.html