HI,
fist I apologize but english is not my natural language. Il live in France (in Europe). I am 71 and was a computer programmer for more than 50 years.
For 2 weeks now I try to install Zorin along with Windows10 with no success. On the french forum, they told me "try this ...", "try that ...", in vain. At the beginning, Zorin will not launch now it's Windows that doesn't want to launch. When I start the computer, I get a message "windows boot manager boot failed". After the OK, I have a menu 'start Zorin OS', with some other options like 'UEFI settings'. If I choose Start Zorin, it's ok so I can write this message.
I tried to read messages on this forum but I not able to understand what is explained. So I start with simple questions !
I first download Zorin 17.3 on a USB drive to try zorin in 'live session'. At that time, Zorin18 was available. So I tried to install Zorin18 along with Windows. I saw messages saying "z18 is a mess, i go back to z17.3". Must I go back to Zorin 17.3?
the error message is about Windows Boot Manager; will I be able to correct the problem within Zorin ? (I mean : in the repair boot program there is an option 'repair Windows MBR' I never dare use it but is it the solution ?)
If the second answer is YES, I'll have some other questions !
Unfortunately, the release of Zorin OS 18 has been a bit bumpy, with a few critical bugs here and there. If you have it already installed, then it's ok but otherwise I would've recommended you to stay on Zorin OS 17, which is still supported until 2027 anyway.
As for your boot loader issues, I would recommend reading through this page to try to get that fixed:
I read the 'repair boot loader'. In fact I have launched this boot repair may be more than 10 times. Each times something new happened but never the right thing.
I have asked for a boot_repair.txt but I don't know how to send it with my message !
When Zorin 18 runs without Issues, You can let it installed of Course.
Here would be the Question if the BIOS is in UEFI or Legacy Mode.
Here would be the Question, if it might be neccessary to repair it with Windows. The Problem then could be that it probably will simply overwrite the existing Windows Boot Partition to repair it. And when in this Partition the Zorin Boot Stuff is saved, it will be overwritten, too what would mean, You don't have a bootable Zorin. And then You might have to run Boot Repair in Zorin Live Mode again.
It is a lot of would, could and might be, I know. But it depends on the Circumstances.