I've been using Zorin 16.3 for a few years now. LOVE IT! But all good things come to an end . . I have lost 'Installed' Software visibility (screen stays blank in constant 'search' mode) & the KPatience game does not work. (no idea how/which other items [apps?] are likewise not functioning)
So the best thing to do is probably to upgrade to current 17.2 (Core) version. I looked at the instructions for Zorin Upgrader and that link/line is NOT in my System Tools. I will begin backing up data etc. in preparation of upgrading my desktop. Any thoughts and/or suggestions greatly appreciated.
There have been a few cases like this; I still don't know what causes it. But I think a fresh install is always much better as it gives you the opportunity to do some housekeeping: make sure you have backups stored safely, remove unused files and/or software, etc.
As for advice, well, just keep things simple. Follow the installation prompts and stick to the defaults unless you have explicit reasons to change them. If you can install Zorin OS only, as dual boot tends to cause issues sooner or later (in my experience anyway).
To upgrade from Zorin OS 16.3 to Zorin OS 17.2, there is no direct in-place upgrade path via terminal or GUI. The developers of Zorin OS recommend a clean installation to move between major versions (e.g., from 16.x to 17.x). This ensures system stability and compatibility with the updated base (Ubuntu 22.04 LTS for Zorin OS 17.x compared to Ubuntu 20.04 LTS for Zorin OS 16.x).
Steps for Upgrading:
Back Up Your Data:
Use a tool like Timeshift or manually back up your important files and configurations to an external drive.
Download Zorin OS 17.2:
Visit Zorin OS's official website to download the ISO for Zorin OS 17.2.
Create Bootable Installation Media:
Use tools like Etcher, Rufus (on Windows), or the built-in "Startup Disk Creator" in Linux to create a bootable USB drive.
Install Zorin OS 17.2:
Boot from the USB drive and follow the installation wizard.
Choose the "Erase disk and install Zorin OS" option if you are comfortable wiping the current system.
Alternatively, select a manual partitioning option to preserve certain partitions.
If you're set on using a command-line tool for installation management, it's worth noting that such a major upgrade is unsupported via apt or similar package managers due to the significant base changes.
This is not true. There IS a direct upgrade tool in place for upgrading between version 16.x to 17.x, but there is an outstanding bug at the moment that some people have reported where they don't have this available.
As far as I'm aware, the Zorin OS developers do not necessarily recommend doing it the manual route, either. That's why they are working on implementing this...
Do NOT use Timeshift to backup your data. Timeshift is not the proper tool for backups in that sense, as it's meant for taking incremental snapshots. This will work best the more you use it, on an already setup system...
Personal files, including software configuration files, should be stored separately using Deja-Dup (available in Zorin OS) or other software, or even just good old drag and drop...
Thanks zenzen for your support. I'm afraid that the Zorin on my desktop has been corrupted (worn out?!? lol) so a clean install is in order. I grit my teeth during every OS change (been at this since PCs became 'home' computers in 1980s) so have done my share of OS upgrades. However as a digital dinosaur myself, I just don't keep up with allllll the latest and greatest bits.
This forum has always been my savior when I get caught in a byte trap . Guess its time to hang around here a while.
yes i agree , now that you mention it , i remember when i reinstalled zorin some time ago , i only had a 16.xx disk available , installed that and from there upgraded to 17.xx through upgrade zorin OS in settings ...
and yes timeshift isn't a backup tool really . I'm gonna have a talk with my sidekick
This makes me wonder, how far are the update cycles between point and major releases? Like 17.1 and 17.2, how long did it take? Do we expect 17.3 at some point or straight to 18? I only know a bit about Ubuntu's release cycle but nothing about Zorin...so I thought I'd ask to prepare myself accordingly.
As far as I know Zorin doesn't have fix Release Cycles. It is more like: It is done, when it's done. Between Point Releases it should be round about 6 Months more or less if I remember right. And a 17.3 will come.
One of the reasons I avoid upgrading is it seems that its inevitable that something(s?) get lost in the 'transfer' from the old to new system. I usually make a list that I can refer to, but that takes time as well as invites errors. This time I am making use of screensavers to show what my settings were. That way I can refer to those as I bring up the new OS level.
I am also copying over files like bookmarks, address book etc. onto the same USB stick that I have loaded the latest and boot-able Zorin onto. That way its all on one reference media (which I have marked Zorin to distinguish from other USBs that I have).
Apart from your bookmarks, the best option is to backup your /home folder. If you have firefox setup in a specific way, together with other apps, make sure hidden files, indicated with a dot/period before their name, e.g., .mozilla, then be sure that these are shown, if they aren't press Ctrl+ H to show them. Now copy and paste to external drive. Then after installing your new version of Zorin you can copy your hidden files to replace the ones that get installed with Zorin 17.2/re-install of apps you had prior to fresh install.
The annoying part of backing up individual configuration files, bookmarks and similar application specific files is one of the reasons that will make you want to deviate from this:
Now that you are going to install Zorin OS you can choose to create a separate, dedicated partition for your personal files and another for the system files. That way, you can re-install the operating system on that system partition without it affecting you. You could even install a whole other distribution.
Note that this doesn't exempt you from making backups of your own data! All drives fail eventually, and you want to have those backups anyway. This is just for your own convenience.
To customize the disk partition during the installation phase:
Choose "Something else" at the installation type prompt.
Assuming that you want to use the entire drive for Zorin OS, click on "New Partition Table". You will be warned that all your data will be lost, but it also says that you can still undo everything.
It goes without saying... but make sure you have selected the correct drive before changing partitions! In this case I only have one labeled as /dev/vda/ Virtio Block Device. If you have multiple, you can probably identify the one you want to use by the size of it.
To create the first partition select the "free space" available (currently the whole drive) and then click on the + sign. This will bring up a prompt for you to select the partition type, size, filesystem, etc.
The first partition needs to be dedicated for the BIOS, so select "Reserved BIOS boot area" in the use as dropdown. A single MB will do the trick; I checked and that's what Zorin OS allocates by default anyway so that seems to work fine.
Repeat the process for the EFI partition. This will be used for booting up the system and doesn't need to be too large; I like to allocate 512Mb to be on the safe side:
You might see two rows that say "free space". There's usually some padding added at the beginning and the end of the drive. You can tell which one has more space but just to avoid confusion: select the one that has plenty of it!
The next partition will be for the operating system. This is where you have to decide how much space to allocate, depending on the disk space available and your typical use case, but no less than 20GB. Note that the size is provided in MB, so that would be 1024 * 20 = 20480.
You can resize this later if you want, as long as you create the system file partition first, and then the home partition.
Finally, repeat the same steps for the home partition. At this point you can leave whatever number is left. Filesystem is also EXT4 and the mount point is /home.
You don't need a swap partition. Zorin OS creates a swapfile that exists in your system partition, which effectively behaves in the same way. I think this already is enough complexity for now, so let's leave it at that.
WOW! and Thanks Zenzen!! This isn't the first time I have loaded Linux, and now second time I've done Zorin. The big hold up for me is that I haven't done this in a couple of years so I need to be thoughtful and take the procedure a step at a time. Which means my computer will be out of business for a day or so. I wish it was like riding a bike, but I'm a digital dino and old ways (and old OSs!) can trip me up. Its SO VERY WONDERFUL to have this forum as a reference and people willing to hand hold us who are geek challenged .
. Guess its time to hang around here a while. 
.