Zorin OS is an Ubuntu-based Linux distribution designed especially for newcomers to Linux

Zorin OS is an Ubuntu-based Linux distribution designed especially for newcomers to Linux.

It has a Windows-like graphical user interface and many programs similar to those found in Windows.

Zorin OS also comes with an application that lets users run many Windows programs.

The distribution's ultimate goal is to provide a Linux alternative to Windows and let Windows users enjoy all the features of Linux without complications.

Zorin OS is a multi-functional operating system designed specifically for Linux beginners who want to have easy and smooth access to open source software. It is based on Ubuntu which is the most popular Linux operating system in the world.

Zorin OS' many advantages include the following:

Zorin OS is safe as it has practically no risk of getting viruses or malware.
Zorin OS is a stable and robust operating system as it is based on Ubuntu Linux, one of the most reliable systems in the world.
Zorin OS is an out-of-the-box software solution
Zorin OS is a very fast operating system. It is tested to be around 4 times faster than Windows 7.
Zorin OS is available in over 55 languages.
Zorin OS is a fully customizable operating system.

Zorin OS features our unique Look Changer program that we have created exclusively for Zorin OS. It allows users to change the user interface at the touch of a button. Simply click on either the Windows 7, Windows XP or Linux's GNOME interface in Zorin OS Core and Educational and your desktop looks and behaves accordingly. The Premium versions (Zorin OS Gaming, Multimedia and Ultimate) also include the Mac OS X, Windows Vista and Windows 2000 looks.

Other unique programs that we have developed for Zorin OS include the Splash Screen Manager, the Internet Browser Manager and Background Plus.

Zorin OS comes pre-installed with the OpenOffice suite including a word processor, spreadsheet and presentation software, the Firefox web browser, the Evolution e-mail client, the Rhythmbox music player, the Totem video player, the GIMP image editor, lots of multimedia codecs and much more.

Zorin OS gives users more flexibility. It allows them to use Zorin OS alongside your current operating system and run Microsoft Windows programs in Zorin OS with the help of WINE and PlayOnLinux. Tests show that most Windows applications run faster in Zorin OS than in Microsoft Windows. Zorin OS replicates the Windows graphical user interface which makes it easy for Windows users to operate Zorin OS alongside Windows or migrate to it.

Zorin OS utilizes the GNOME Desktop Environment. It is open source, which means that anyone can modify anything in the operating system to suit their liking.

Update:

Artyom Zorin has announced the release of Zorin OS 5 "Lite", a Lubuntu-based distribution featuring the LXDE desktop environment: "The Zorin OS team is proud to release Zorin OS 5 Lite, the lightweight edition of our operating system designed for Windows users using old and low-specification 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 to increase size efficiency and to improve the overall experience. Most notable in this release is that it 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'."

The release announcement.

Download: zorin-os-5-lite-32.iso (660MB, MD5).

Recent releases:

• 2011-05-18: Development Release: Zorin OS 5 RC
• 2011-03-18: Distribution Release: Zorin OS 4 "Business"
• 2011-01-02: Distribution Release: Zorin OS 4 "Lite"
• 2010-12-22: Distribution Release: Zorin OS 4
• 2010-12-09: Development Release: Zorin OS 4 RC
• 2010-06-10: Distribution Release: Zorin OS 3
Zorin OS is an operating system, just like Windows. Zorin OS is built on the Linux architecture so it is completely open source, which means that anyone can modify anything in the operating system to suit their liking. Zorin OS is based on Ubuntu Linux which is the most popular Linux operating system in the world. However, Zorin OS is different. Windows users find it difficult to use Ubuntu due to its unfamiliar user interface. Zorin OS is the solution to that problem. Zorin OS replicates the Windows graphical user interface which makes it easy for Windows users to migrate to Linux, but that's not the whole story.

As well as being open source it is also:

Safer than Windows. All the Linux distributions have nearly no risk of getting viruses or malware
Faster than Windows. It is tested to be around 4 times faster than Windows 7
More customisable than Windows
Available in over 55 languages
Built with the help of the community, so even you can contribute to the Zorin OS project! (See the Forums page).
More advanced as new releases take place 6 months after previous ones.
You also don't need to worry about your previous Windows installation because you can choose to have Zorin OS installed alongside Windows (see the installation page in the Forums for more details) which also means that you can boot up Windows instead of Zorin OS. Furthermore, you can also access all of your Windows files on Zorin OS with the file browser. You can even run your Windows programs on Zorin OS using a program called WINE which is pre-installed.

We only mentioned a few features from Zorin OS here but you can get a bigger picture of Zorin OS by viewing the Screenshots, Videos or Forums page, or by simply installing it.