Zorin OS Lite

Zorin OS Lite is an open source Linux-based operating system, with a look similar to the commercial Mac OS X or Microsoft Windows OSes. It is based on the Lubuntu distribution from Canonical and sports a lightweight desktop environment powered by the LXDE project.

A little bit of history, availability and boot options

The project provides a flexible and multi-functional Linux-based operating system with exclusive software. It has been designed from the ground up to be deployed on low-end machines, as well as computer with old hardware requirements.

Dubbed “The gateway to Linux,” the Zorin OS operating system is engineered in such a way that it can be used without much hassle by Linux newcomers, especially ex-Windows XP users who are looking for a good and reliable Linux distribution.

The distro is available for download as a single and hybrid Live DVD ISO image, designed to be used on both 32-bit and 64-bit machines. In order to boot from it, you can write the ISO image to a blank DVD or a USB flash drive.

When booting the OS, you’ll be prompted by a boot screen, from where you can start the live system with default settings (the first option) or in safe graphics mode, start the installer directly (not recommended), run a memory test, and boot an existing operating system installed on the first hard disk drive.

Easy to use desktop environment, familiar applications

As mentioned, LXDE takes care of the graphical session in Zorin OS Lite. It is features a single taskbar located at the bottom edge of the screen, allowing users to access the main menu, launch applications, as well as to interact with running programs and the functions of the system tray area.

Default applications include the Google Chrome web browser, Geary email client, Pidgin multi-protocol instant messenger, AbiWord word processor, Audacious audio player, GNOME MPlayer video player, Gufw firewall, and Synaptic Package Manager.

Bottom line

All in all, Zorin OS Lite stands by its name, providing new Linux users with a stable, easy-to-use, reliable and above all that, free operating system that can replace your old Windows XP, on that dusty computer.

What is new in this release:

• Zorin OS 12.4 introduces an updated hardware enablement stack. The newly-included Linux kernel 4.15, as well as an updated X server graphics stack, add compatibility for newer computers and hardware in Zorin OS. In addition, new patches for system vulnerabilities are included in this release, so you can have the peace of mind knowing that you're using the most secure version of Zorin OS ever.

What is new in version 12.3:

• Zorin OS 11 Lite is the latest and greatest version of our operating system designed specifically for Linux newcomers using old or low-powered hardware. This release is based on Lubuntu 15.10 and uses the LXDE desktop environment to provide one of the fastest and most feature-packed interfaces for low-spec mac

What is new in version :

• Zorin OS 11 Lite is the latest and greatest version of our operating system designed specifically for Linux newcomers using old or low-powered hardware. This release is based on Lubuntu 15.10 and uses the LXDE desktop environment to provide one of the fastest and most feature-packed interfaces for low-spec mac

What is new in version 9:

• Zorin OS 8 Lite is the latest evolution of the Zorin OS Lite series of operating systems, designed specifically for Linux newcomers utilizing old or low-powered hardware. This release is based on Lubuntu 13.10 and uses the LXDE desktop environment to provide one of the fastest and most feature-packed interfaces for low-spec machines. This new release includes newly updated software out-of-the-box.

What is new in version 7.1:

• This release is based on Lubuntu 13.04 and uses the LXDE desktop environment to provide one of the fastest and most feature-packed interfaces for low-spec machines. This new release includes newly updated software out-of-the-box. We also include our innovative Zorin Look Changer, Zorin Web Browser Manager, Zorin OS Lite Extra Software and other programs from our earlier versions of Zorin OS Lite.

What is new in version 7:

• This release is based on Lubuntu 13.04 and uses the LXDE desktop environment to provide one of the fastest and most feature-packed interfaces for low-spec machines. This new release includes newly updated software out-of-the-box, the introduction of new software and a new desktop theme. We also include our innovative Zorin Look Changer, Zorin Internet Browser Manager, Zorin OS Lite Extra Software and other programs from our earlier versions in Zorin OS 7 Lite and Educational Lite.

What is new in version 6.2:

• This release is based on Lubuntu 12.04.2 and uses the LXDE desktop environment to provide one of the fastest and most feature-packed interfaces for low-spec machines. This new release includes newly updated software out-of-the-box. We also include our innovative Zorin Look Changer, Zorin Internet Browser Manager, Zorin OS Lite Extra Software and other programs from our earlier versions in Zorin OS 6.2 Lite.

What is new in version 6.1:

• The Zorin OS Team have released Zorin OS 6.1 Lite, the latest evolution of the Zorin OS Lite series of operating systems, designed specifically for Windows users utilizing old or low-powered hardware. This release is based on Lubuntu 12.04 and uses the LXDE desktop environment to provide one of the fastest and most feature-packed interfaces for low-spec machines. This new release includes updated software, the newer Linux Kernel version 3.2, as well as other improvements. We also include our innovative Zorin Look Changer, Zorin Internet Browser Manager, Zorin OS Lite Extra Software and other programs from our earlier versions in Zorin OS 6.1 Lite.

What is new in version 6:

• The Zorin OS Team are proud to finally release Zorin OS 6 Lite, the latest evolution of the Zorin OS Lite series of operating systems, designed specifically for Windows users utilizing old or low-powered hardware. This release is based on Lubuntu 11.10 and uses the LXDE desktop environment to provide one of the fastest and most feature-packed interfaces for low-spec machines. New features and refinements include a more lightweight version of the Software Center which makes it much easier to install applications in Zorin OS Lite and update programs.
• We also include our innovative Zorin Look Changer, Zorin Internet Browser Manager, Zorin OS Lite Extra Software and other programs from our earlier versions in Zorin OS 6 Lite.

What is new in version 5:

• The Zorin OS Team are proud to release the Zorin OS 5 Lite, the lightweight version of our operating system designed for Windows users using old and low-spec computers. We have released this version ahead of schedule. This new version of Zorin OS Lite is based on Lubuntu 11.04 and uses the LXDE desktop environment, which brings new and updated packages. Many program changes were also made for this release to increase size efficiency and to improve the overall experience. Most notable in this release is that in can now fit on a CD. We have removed WINE, VLC, a few games and other programs to save space and included them into our new and exclusive program, the "Zorin OS Lite Extra Software" which allows you to install these programs easily if you wish to do so. We have also included our other exclusive programs such as our Zorin Look Changer and Internet Browser Manager in Zorin OS 5 Lite.