Zorin OS 16.2 is now available

From the Zorin Blog. I will be testing this out when I get home.

Just over a year after we released Zorin OS 16 in August 2021, we’re thrilled to say that it’s been downloaded over 3.5 million times. We’ve been overwhelmed by the terrific feedback we’ve heard from users around the world. Thank you all for helping to make this the biggest release of Zorin OS ever!

Today, we’re excited to announce Zorin OS 16.2. It introduces refinements that elevate the desktop experience even further. Read on to learn about what’s new since Zorin OS 16.1.

Easier to install Windows apps

For those who wish to use Windows apps and games in Zorin OS, we’ve made it even easier to find and install Windows App Support. You can now simply open the Zorin Menu, navigate to the “System Tools” section, and open “Windows App Support” to activate it in one click.

Enhancing the office experience

Alternatives to Microsoft fonts

When documents are created on other platforms, they often use the default fonts from Microsoft Office/365 or Windows. However, these fonts are under a proprietary license, so they can’t be pre-installed in Zorin OS for all users.

Because of this, documents may display with incompatible fonts instead. This can cause documents to not only look different than intended but also to shift their layout and corrupt their formatting.

The new LibreOffice

LibreOffice is one of the most important apps in Zorin OS, and with this new release, it’s getting even better. We’ve included LibreOffice 7.4, the latest version of the award-winning office suite.

Newer apps

In addition to LibreOffice, you’ll notice that many pre-installed apps have been updated in Zorin OS 16.2. Not only does this provide a more feature-rich experience out of the box, but you’ll need to download fewer software updates after installing Zorin OS onto your computer.

Improvements to Zorin Connect

You can now view your computer’s battery status on your phone. The battery level and charging status are visible in the new Status bar at the bottom of the Zorin Connect Android app’s device screen.

GDevelop in Zorin OS Education

Now more than ever, it’s vital for students to learn technology skills to prepare them to succeed in the 21st century. Zorin OS Education has always provided powerful tools to teach coding and engineering in a fun and accessible way.

In Zorin OS 16.2 Education, we’re introducing another incredible tool: GDevelop. It’s full-featured, no-code game development software that lowers the barrier to learning programming, while giving students an infinite canvas to express their creativity. It’s accompanied by a comprehensive set of tutorials that guide you through every step in developing a game, so students have the freedom to learn at their own pace.

Maximize effect and updated physics in Jelly Mode

Jelly Mode is upgraded to provide an even more fun desktop experience. The animation engine for wobbling windows has been refactored and uses updated physics variables by default for more lively interactions. Maximizing a window now also triggers the effect, better replicating the feel and behavior of jelly.

Stronger security and better hardware compatibility

Many built-in system technologies have received improvements for better security, compatibility, and performance.

Zorin OS 16.2 is now powered by the same version of the Linux kernel as in Ubuntu 22.04 and comes with new drivers, bringing even better support for hardware.

How to get Zorin OS 16.2

Upgrade

If you’re already running Zorin OS 16, you can upgrade to Zorin OS 16.2 by installing the latest updates from the Software Updater today.

Download

All editions of Zorin OS 16.2 are available from the Download page on our website.

Download Zorin OS 16.2