Can I upgrade from Zorin OS Lite to Zorin OS Core?

Hi. As of now I am enjoying ZorinOS 15 Lite. But I want to switch to Core without losing my data. Can it be like an upgrade? Your help will be appreciated.

Alternatively, you could Dual Boot Zorin Core and Zorin Lite on the same drive.

In a way, yes... It would not be an Upgrade to Core. It would be a bunch of installations (chuckle)
The Zorin Repository is already included in your source.list.
So, you could install the gnome-desktop on to your installed Zorin Lite, and then choose "gnome" from the Login menu instead of "XFCE" or "Zorin-Lite" desktop environments. Ensure that Nautilus is installed.
Once you have that established, you will probably want to install the gnome-extensions that Zorin Core includes.
List (You can install all of these at once with one terminal command with 'sudo apt-get install' followed by each package separated by one space):

gnome-shell-extension-mediaplayer
gnome-shell-extension-printers
gnome-shell-extension-zorin-app-grid
gnome-shell-extension-zorin-appindicator
gnome-shell-extension-zorin-connect
gnome-shell-extension-zorin-dash
gnome-shell-extension-zorin-do-not-disturb
gnome-shell-extension-zorin-menu
gnome-shell-extension-zorin-panel
gnome-shell-extension-zorin-printers
gnome-shell-extension-zorin-screen-keyboard-button
gnome-shell-extension-zorin-taskbar
gnome-shell-extension-zorin-tray
gnome-shell-extension-zorin-window-list-bottom-panel
gnome-shell-extension-zorin-window-list-main-panel
gnome-shell-extensions-zorin-desktop
gnome-shell-theme-human

Once these are installed, you will want to add other gnome or dependent apps.
You would need to uninstall and then reinstall Zorin appearance and install

zorin-appearance-layouts-shell-core
zorin-appearance-layouts-support
zorin-auto-theme
zorin-connect
zorin-desktop-session

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To quote Wolfman,
“Preparation and planning prevent poor performance! :wink:”

Before undertaking any task of upgrading, changing, backup, backup, backup! Always better to be safe than sorry!

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I recall that on Zorin 12.4, I could install “zorin-desktop” from the terminal (Which would be the Gnome or XFCE DE tweaked to Zorin). This does not appear to work on Zorin 15.3, though.

Ok, so I did try to install stuff and do it but it just bootlooped and forced me to go Zorin OS Lite Session. Either it bootlooped or it dropped me back to the login screen when I chose Gnome Session. I will try out this way again.

Um... What was it you installed to get Gnome?
Log in to Zorin lite and from terminal, try

sudo apt install ubuntu-gnome-desktop

sudo apt install gnome-shell

Edit, I do need to make a Note here: Zorin uses a Backport of Gnome-shell which is a smoother and faster experience according to some users. In the above, you would not be getting that backport. The above will get you reasonably close to a Zorin Core (Gnome) experience, but for the best experience, installing Zorin Core or Ultimate really is the way to go.

Tasksel Vanilla GNOME

So, this happened

E: Unable to locate package gnome-shell-extension-zorin-tray
E: Unable to locate package gnome-shell-extension-zorin-window-list-bottom-panel
E: Unable to locate package gnome-shell-extension-zorin-window-list-main-panel
E: Unable to locate package gnome-shell-theme-human

And this also happened

*****@*****-*****:~$ sudo apt install ubuntu-gnome-desktop
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
Some packages could not be installed. This may mean that you have
requested an impossible situation or if you are using the unstable
distribution that some required packages have not yet been created
or been moved out of Incoming.
The following information may help to resolve the situation:

The following packages have unmet dependencies:
 ubuntu-gnome-desktop : Depends: ubuntu-desktop but it is not going to be installed
E: Unable to correct problems, you have held broken packages.

Could you please open Software&Updates and in the first tab, ensure that "Download From:" is set to "Main Server".
Once done, enter in terminal

sudo apt --fix-broken install

Then try

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop

It was set to my country :stuck_out_tongue:

WHY ARE WE LIVING? JUST TO SUFFER!

$ sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
Some packages could not be installed. This may mean that you have
requested an impossible situation or if you are using the unstable
distribution that some required packages have not yet been created
or been moved out of Incoming.
The following information may help to resolve the situation:

The following packages have unmet dependencies:
 ubuntu-desktop : Depends: gnome-shell-extension-ubuntu-dock but it is not going to be installed
                  Recommends: ubuntu-docs but it is not going to be installed
E: Unable to correct problems, you have held broken packages.

no luck

Let's try using synaptic

sudo apt --fix-broken install

sudo apt-get install synaptic

Once loaded, open Synaptic and use the search function for the Gnome Desktop Packages. It should list all dependencies in a pop up window for verification.

no broken install anywhere

That “–fix-broken” command was just because it said “You have held broken packages” and it did not want dpkg to refuse to install Synaptic due to broken packages.

Err. Nothing actually. What to install from synaptic i mean there are tons of (sorry) softwares.

Let’s start direct: Search “ubuntu-desktop”

Got it. Next?

Ok. Clear me one thing. Will Zorin OS Lite work along side it? I mean Zorin’s XFCE DE

Yes the Zorin Lite Desktop will remain installed and you can select which D.E. you want to use from the log in window.

I am running Zorin Lite with CInnamon D.E. installed. At Log In, I can choose XFCE, Zorin Lite Desktop or Cinnamon. (Also Kodi, but that’s a different story).