Zorin OS is one of the most beginner-friendly Linux distributions built on Ubuntu.
It’s designed to make Linux easy for everyone especially those coming from Windows or macOS.
A big part of what makes Zorin OS feel so comfortable is its desktop environment (DE) the part of the system that handles your taskbar, start menu, app launcher, and overall appearance.
Unlike other Linux distros that stick to one DE, Zorin OS builds its own desktop layer on top of GNOME giving you the flexibility to make your desktop look and behave the way you want.
The Desktop Environment: Zorin Desktop (Based on GNOME)
🧩 What Is Zorin Desktop?
Zorin Desktop is a custom version of the GNOME desktop environment that the Zorin team has modified for better usability and modern design.
Under the hood, it’s still GNOME, so it inherits all its stability, performance, and software compatibility.
But on the surface, it’s completely redesigned to make it intuitive for users switching from other operating systems.
That’s what makes Zorin OS stand out it looks and feels familiar, even if you’ve never used Linux before.
Why Zorin OS Uses GNOME as Its Base
The developers chose GNOME for good reasons:
- Stability: GNOME is one of the most mature and stable environments on Linux.
- Simplicity: It’s clean and easy to use, with minimal distractions.
- Customization: GNOME extensions make it flexible enough for Zorin to build their unique layouts.
- Compatibility: Since it’s used by Ubuntu, it integrates well with apps and updates.
In short, GNOME gives Zorin OS a solid foundation, and the Zorin team builds the beauty, functionality, and friendliness on top.
The Zorin Appearance App: Where the Magic Happens
Zorin OS includes a powerful built-in tool called Zorin Appearance — this is where you can customize your entire desktop look in a few clicks.
From this app, you can:
- Switch between different desktop layouts (Windows-like, macOS-like, or Ubuntu-like).
- Change themes, colors, icons, and panel size.
- Enable or disable auto-hide dock, transparency, and animations.
- Adjust font styles, app menu behavior, and window buttons.
Essentially, it turns GNOME into a visual playground without requiring technical knowledge.
So while other distros make you install extensions or manually edit settings, Zorin makes customization simple and beginner-friendly.
Layouts: Windows, macOS, and More
One of the biggest highlights of Zorin Desktop is the predefined layouts that mimic other operating systems.
You can switch between them easily from Zorin Appearance → Layouts.
Here’s what you get:
| Layout Style | Looks Like | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| Windows-like (default) | Taskbar at bottom, Start menu on left | Windows switchers |
| macOS-like | Dock at bottom, global top bar | macOS lovers |
| Touch layout | Full-screen launcher, big icons | Tablets & touchscreens |
| GNOME layout | Stock GNOME look | Advanced users |
If you’re using Zorin OS Pro, you even get extra premium layouts that look closer to Windows 11 or macOS Sonoma.
These layouts make it easy to feel “at home” no matter what OS you’re coming from.
What About Zorin OS Lite? (XFCE Edition)
Zorin OS has two main editions:
- Zorin OS Core / Pro → Uses Zorin Desktop (GNOME-based)
- Zorin OS Lite → Uses XFCE desktop environment
💡 Zorin OS Lite
Zorin OS Lite is designed for older computers or low-spec systems.
Instead of GNOME, it uses XFCE, a lightweight and fast desktop environment.
Even though it’s lighter, Zorin’s team has customized XFCE to keep the same familiar look and feel as Zorin Desktop.
So visually, both editions look consistent — but Lite performs faster on older hardware.
In short:
- Want modern design and animations? → Go for Zorin OS Core or Pro.
- Want maximum speed and low resource usage? → Go for Zorin OS Lite.
How Zorin Desktop Differs from Regular GNOME
If you’ve used standard GNOME before (like on Ubuntu), you’ll notice some big differences in Zorin OS:
| Feature | GNOME (Ubuntu) | Zorin Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Menu Layout | Minimal, vertical | Traditional Start menu (Windows-like) |
| Dock Behavior | Left side by default | Bottom or centered dock |
| Customization | Needs extensions | Built-in via Zorin Appearance |
| Look and Feel | Modern but abstract | Familiar and practical |
| Performance | Slightly heavier | Optimized and responsive |
Zorin Desktop simplifies the GNOME experience by removing unnecessary complexity and adding user-friendly customization options.
Performance and Experience
Zorin Desktop runs smoothly on most modern systems.
It’s not as lightweight as XFCE, but still optimized well enough for general use, office work, and multimedia.
- On 8 GB RAM or more, Zorin Desktop feels fast and fluid.
- On 4 GB or less, you may prefer Zorin OS Lite.
Animations, transparency effects, and transitions are all polished — giving a premium feel similar to macOS or Windows 11.
Customization Tips for Zorin Desktop
If you love tweaking your desktop, here are a few things you can do:
- Use Zorin Appearance → Panel → Auto-hide to make the dock behave like macOS.
- Change Accent Color and Dark Mode for better focus.
- Add Desktop Extensions from GNOME Extensions for features like clipboard managers or weather widgets.
- Use Zorin Connect to sync your Android phone with your PC (just like macOS and iPhone integration).
These tweaks let you make Zorin OS feel truly your own.
Why People Love Zorin Desktop
Here’s why Zorin OS gets so much attention among Linux users:
✅ Easy for beginners — zero setup required
✅ Visually beautiful — modern, clean, and intuitive
✅ Customizable — simple GUI tools, no terminal needed
✅ Stable — built on Ubuntu LTS
✅ Familiar layouts — Windows or macOS-like options
It’s basically Linux made for humans — friendly, fast, and elegant.
Final Verdict
So, what desktop environment does Zorin OS use?
Zorin OS uses the Zorin Desktop, a customized environment built on top of GNOME (for Core and Pro editions), and XFCE (for Lite edition).
That combination gives users the best of both worlds — GNOME’s stability and Zorin’s simplicity.
If you’re new to Linux or just want a system that feels polished without the learning curve, Zorin Desktop is one of the best you can experience today.
