A few days ago, the developers of the Zorin OS project (known for offering one of the most user-friendly transitions for those migrating from Windows) announced the official release of version 18.1.
Built based on Ubuntu 24.04, This mid-cycle update arrives just six months after the major version (18.0) to refine the user experience and massively expand its hardware support. Far from settling for cosmetic tweaks, this release improves window management, enhances the office ecosystem, and revives the much-anticipated "Lite" edition, designed specifically to breathe life into computers with limited resources.
Main new features of Zorin OS 18.1
The big star of this update is the Improvement to window tile mode (Advanced Window Tiling), a feature Designed to organize your workspace without relying on complex keyboard shortcutsNow, when you click on a docked application from the taskbar, the system automatically brings to the foreground all the windows that make up that specific tile layout.
Furthermore, A visual tool has been incorporated to directly rearrange these designs. from the settings box, and docking to screen edges has been optimized so that windows respect custom layouts instead of being limited to half-screen or quarter-screen splits.
Another improvement in the new version is the expansion of the integrated database responsible for detecting Windows .exe installers. It has now been enlarged by 40%, recognizing over 240 popular applications. If a user attempts to install a program like Plex from its original executable file, Zorin OS intercepts the action and displays a dialog box suggesting the download of the native Linux version directly from the software store. For Windows-exclusive applications, the system will recommend alternatives, such as Evolution Mail instead of Microsoft Outlook.
The triumphant return of the Lite edition with XFCE 4.20
For users with modest hardware or older laptops, the great news is that restoration of the "Lite" edition. This lightweight version abandons the heavyweight environments to embrace XFCE 4.20, guaranteeing smooth performance without sacrificing aesthetics.The file manager has been redesigned towards a much more compact interfaceIdeal for low-resolution screens. Despite its focus on low power consumption, the Lite edition debuts native support for fingerprint readers, enabling biometric authentication from the settings panel.
The visual aspect has also been revamped with Rounded desktop themes, high-contrast color palettes for easy reading and the addition of the yellow and brown colors in the Zorin Appearance app.
Extended support, kernel 6.17 and LibreOffice 26.2
Zorin OS 18.1 It integrates LibreOffice 26.2, the latest version of the office suite which boasts far superior compatibility with Microsoft Office 365's proprietary formats, native Markdown support, and performance improvements when handling complex spreadsheets. The overall environment of desktop has received bug fixes which translate into faster and smoother navigation, complemented by usability details such as the ability to disable application status icons in the panel tray or the correct right-to-left text display for languages ​​such as Arabic or Hebrew.
Regarding the core of the system, this new version has opted for the adoption of Linux kernel 6.17. This new core greatly expands hardware support, integrating Updated drivers for the latest NVIDIA graphics cards, support for Intel Xe3 graphics and improved management for hybrid architectures with AMD GPUs.
The list of compatible peripherals now seamlessly encompasses everything from game controllers like the PlayStation 5 DualSense to modern handheld consoles like the ASUS ROG Ally and Apple devices like the Magic Mouse 2. With all this, Zorin OS 18.1 ensures continuous support and guaranteed security patches until June 2029, solidifying its position as a viable option.
Finally, if you are interested in knowing more about it, you can consult the details In the following link.
Download and get Zorin OS 18.1
For those interested in this new version, you should know that you only have to go to the official website From the distribution's downloads section, you can obtain the system image. System images range in size from 4 to 8GB.The link to download the system is this one