{"id":50970,"date":"2026-04-16T12:29:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T12:29:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ubuntuhandbook.org\/?p=50970"},"modified":"2026-04-16T12:29:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T12:29:09","slug":"zorin-os-18-1-released-with-lite-edition-features-xfce-4-20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ubuntuhandbook.org\/index.php\/2026\/04\/zorin-os-18-1-released-with-lite-edition-features-xfce-4-20\/","title":{"rendered":"Zorin OS 18.1 Released with Lite Edition Features XFCE 4.20"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Zorin OS, the popular Ubuntu LTS based distribution released new 18.1 version yesterday.<\/p>\n

The new version of this beginner friendly Linux distribution updated the kernel to Linux 6.17<\/b>, while, it’s still based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package base with support until April 2029.<\/p>\n

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Thanks to Linux Kernel 6.17, Zorin OS 18.1 now supports with more hardware, including Intel Xe3 graphics, AMD hybrid laptop GPUs, Apple Magic Mouse 2 USB-C, and ASUS ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, etc gaming handhelds. See this page<\/a> for more about Linux 6.17.<\/p>\n

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For users switched from Windows, this version now supports sideloading over 240 Windows apps installer. When you launch a supported Windows app installer, it will show a dialog directs users to install either the Linux native version or closest alternatives from Software store.<\/p>\n

The window tiling feature that introduced in the last 18 version has been updated with new options. When switching to a tiled app from the taskbar or dash, it now brings all tiled windows to the foreground together.<\/p>\n

User can now re-order the tiling layout using the edit layouts dialog. And, edge tiling has been updated that supports drag’n’dropping windows to your active custom tiling layout.<\/p>\n

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While the Pro and Core versions are based on GNOME 46, Zorin OS 18.1 finally introduced Lite Edition<\/b> features the lightweight XFCE 4.20 desktop environment for old computers.<\/p>\n

The Lite Edition features redesigned file manager app, out-of-the-box fingerprint reader support, and a built-in webapp tool to turn any website into a desktop app.<\/p>\n

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Zorin OS 18.1 Lite (image from zorin website)<\/p><\/div>\n

For applications with indicator icons (e.g., Dropbox, qBittorrent) on panel system tray area, the new version added a settings dialog, allowing to configure size, position, and opacity of these icons. And, it even supports using custom icons for your app indicators.<\/p>\n

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Other changes in Zorin OS 18.1 include:<\/p>\n