So you are saying I must create a USB drive in order to install Zorin in my VirtualBox? I cannot run it and install it from my downloads into VirtualBox? The reason I persist in this line is that I have very slow download speed here in the Philippines, it was 0.04 mpbs this morning on my Smart Bro, which makes downloading Rufus a challenge. Normally I wait until late at night and try to use my Globe connection when it is running, and I can get 3 mpbs sometimes. But right now, Globe has been down for days.
Can I transfer my Zorin download to my USB and boot from there? It is just a lot of trouble to do this from the USB for me. First I have to take everything off the USB I have been saving. Then download Rufus. Then put Zorin on the USB, Then I have to go in to bios and change the boot order. I would like to use what I have now. I created another machine using Zorin this morning, but I never get the account or the time/location part when I do. So something just isn't right.
Thanks
Well no, actually I would like to try Zorin without using a USB stick for the reasons I listed below.
No no, why virtual box? VB or VM is just used for testing different iso files (or you may say operating system OS). Many os don't have an option to test them but you have to directly install them. But not with Zorin. You can actually test Zorin os without VM or VB.
Here's a full guide
I would recommend you to fully follow the steps of this guide. If there is any problem, then you can search for that here in Forum
Valiant Boy
Apparently there is no such feature in Windows. You can't create a Bootable USB without any software. You have plenty of choices like Rufus, Unetbootin, etc. But once you create the Bootable USB, it's really easy afterwards.
You can use a CD or DVD, SD card
But the best is Pendrive. I know it's really hard to transfer on an old pc or a slow pc but it's worth to try!
I live in India and here, it's even worse 
Just follow the full steps and you would install Zorin easily on your pc
@Dave3 I presume you have a legitimate reason not to do a (normal) full or dual-boot install of ZorinOS, but prefer to run it inside a virtual machine. Many others do that and I think @ValiantBoy may be overlooking that valid alternative.
If you search the forum using "virtual machine" you will find many threads on the subject, including this tutorial:
Also alternatives to Virtual Box are discussed here:
I have not recentky used a virtual machine myself, but there are others here that are doing that.
I ran the installation for QEMU and followed all the instructions. Nothing happened, no desktop shortcut appeared, App did not install but gave no error notice. So I turned off my firewall and tried again. Same thing happened.
What you and the guide are talking about is a dual boot, isn't that right? I don't want a dual boot having to change the boot order in bios every time I want to use one or the other. I simply want to try Zorin out on my pc first before I do anything radical. Likewise, I am downloading the Balena Etcher now (an hour to do) but I doubt I will use the USB to install Zorin. Maybe just to test it from the USB drive only.
I tried again to install Zorin Lite and create a machine inside VirtualBox, but after everything loaded, and I got to the screen with the mountains, the cursor just kept spinning and spinning.
I am not talking about dual boot. The very first time when you boot into your bootable usb with Zorin installed, it's not actually installed on your pc but it's in your pendrive. I think you are thinking like this👇🏻
But it's like this 
If you would select the "Try or Install Zorin OS" option you would directly boot into Zorin OS. The thing is, you would be able to test Zorin without installing or dual booting but your Zorin is actually running in your Bootable usb. After all this if your satisfied with Zorin and you want to install, there is an option install Zorin in the home screen. Just click that and follow the steps provided above!
If there is something else which you didn't understand, let me know.
Valiant Boy
What you say is true, but running ZorinOS from USB is slow and unless you are able to set up persistence on that USB, you will not be able to save changes and settings etc.
The use of a virtual machine is a valid way to install a OS within another OS and try it out over time and play with it, whilst being able to wipe it if not wanted.
I don't know why Dave3 is having the problems he reports. Maybe @jgordon or @swarfendor437, or others better versed with virtual machine installs, can contribute here.
Okay. It may depend on the user.
Here's a thing. I would like to see a Screenshot. That could tell us something and maybe then we may help?
Valiant Boy
OK, there are two options when it comes to VM's you can do a 'Try or install option' just as you can as using a USB. QEMU and Virtual Machine Manager can run on Windows but it means messing with the insecure Windows WSL shenanigans - I wouldn't trust it with a barge pole. First, going back to Virtual Box, make sure that it is up-to-date - there was a security issue with Virtual Box not long ago, so make sure you use the 'Check for updates' option. Now you should create a new Virtual Machine by pointing to the .iso that you have downloaded - you can actually install to a .vhd - the best way to install as a permanent feature - even in live mode it is possible to change the screen resolution by right-clicking the desktop anywhere and select the 'adjust screen display' option - and change it to the same resolution as your Windows screen - works for me! The default is usually 1024 x 768 - when you select the change screen resolution, select the drop-down arrow to the right of the current resolution to see the other options - that's it, your done! If you don't create a .vhd (virtual hard drive) you end up keep booting into a live iso - in Virt Manager you have to start from scratch each time (I don't have enough space on my root partition in Devuan, as for some reason it wants to create the VM in / instead of /home. Forgot to mention, you should also install the VB extensions pack for optimum results of creating VM's. Further VB cannot cope with USB3 - only USB2 - I can vouch this from personal experience.
Ok, look guys, I think I have figured out why Zorin OS won't run even in a VM on my machine. Tell me if I am wrong or right.
The requirements to run Zorin OS Core is::
CPU: 1 GHZ Dual Core
Ram: 2 GB
Storage: 15 GB (Core)
Display: 1024 x 768 resolution
The requirements to run Zorin OS Lite:
CPU: 1 GHZ Single Core-intel/AMD 64-bit processor
Ram: 1 GB
Storage: 10 GB
Display: 800x600 resolution
According to these stats, my PC can only handle the Lite OS.
My PC is Intel(R) Core, it does not say dual-core in my about. I do have 4 Gigs of Ram on a 64-bit system.
So my system just isn't up to running the Zorin Core, but should handle the Lite. Right? However, I also downloaded and tried the Lite OS, but it also would not run in VirtualBox.
My idea now is to go to the dual boot idea, so the new OS has plenty of everything to run, but I presume I need to set up the Zorin Lite on my system. Right?
I downloaded Balina Etcher to set up my USB drive to receive Zorin. I presume I then put the Zorin download file on my USB and boot up from there? I hope Zorin will do the partition stuff when I select "run alongside of Windows", right?
I am a bit nervous about doing this and booting from bios, but I have done it before, and I should be able to boot back to Windows at any time.
So, does this sound like the right thing to do? I have 2T of memory on my hard drive, so space should not be an issue.
Your PC is an i5 Intel 2.5GHZ to 2.7GHZ, so it should be able to run Zorin OS Core fine.
I admit, at 2.5 GHZ and 4 gigs RAM, it would be a little on the sluggish side, but really should be fine for Daily use.
If you are a graphic designer, then I would worry.
I would agree that Zorin OS Lite may have a bit more pep and response. Me, I always use Zorin OS Lite. I would use it on a Quantum Computer.
I think you should create a Bootable Medium with Zorin OS Core or Lite. You can use unetbootin, Popsicle, Rufus or Ventoy (my preference).
I suggest avoiding Balena Etcher.
Use the tool to create a Bootable Medium from the .iso file. For most, you can just follow the prompts.
This is the Right Attitude to Have. 
Once your bootable medium is created, reboot with the USB plugged in and punch the needed F-key for the Boot Order. Select the USB you are using for Zorin OS.
Select "Try Zorin"
It should take you to the Zorin OS Tour and desktop. Explore, poke around, play with things a bit.
If it works, then we know the issue is with The VM, not with Zorin or your hardware or specs.
If you like, you can then reboot normally into Windows and continue exploring how to resolve the issue or look at other options.
You are much better to do a manual install - it's an old video but the principle remains the same - caveat being about UEFI. First thing to do is make a boot repair disc for your Windows system - this was available in 7 - not sure about 8 or 10. Also make a note of your Windows installation key should you ever need to reinstall. If it's a notebook the CoA (Certificate of Authenticity) should be on the underside of your notebook or on the back of a tower if a PC. On small notebooks it may need the battery removing to view or on netbooks, remove the underside clamshell to view.
You need to shrink your partition of C:\ drive - if a notebook it may well have 4 partitions, all marked as primary and you still would not be able to install - you are going to take the plunge and remove the factory reset partition or the 'make recoverable media' partition, AFTER you have created recovery media! Then you could do an automated install to the free space you have created.
Here is the video:
If there is no CoA you can find your Windows installation key by running the following script:
"Open a Notepad and copy-paste the following:
Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
MsgBox ConvertToKey(WshShell.RegRead("HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DigitalProductId"))
Function ConvertToKey(Key)
Const KeyOffset = 52
i = 28
Chars = "BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789"
Do
Cur = 0
x = 14
Do
Cur = Cur * 256
Cur = Key(x + KeyOffset) + Cur
Key(x + KeyOffset) = (Cur \ 24) And 255
Cur = Cur Mod 24
x = x -1
Loop While x >= 0
i = i -1
KeyOutput = Mid(Chars, Cur + 1, 1) & KeyOutput
If (((29 - i) Mod 6) = 0) And (i <> -1) Then
i = i -1
KeyOutput = "-" & KeyOutput
End If
Loop While i >= 0
ConvertToKey = KeyOutput
End Function
In Save as dialog box, select All files and save this file as a .vbs file, giving it any suitable name like keyfinder.vbs." Do not save as a .txt file or it will not run. Save to your desktop for ease of use.
[Source: https://www.thewindowsclub.com/find-windows-10-product-key-using-vb-script]
And backup all your critical data before proceeding!
I made a USB with Rufus and put Zorin Lite on it. Then I went into bios and changed the boot order to USB HDD, then I tried the boot order for USB CD Rom, that didn't work either. The PC would not boot from my USB.
No idea why the PC won't boot from the USB.
Are you using EFI (UEFI) or Legacy (MBR) Boot?
I did not know about UEFI vs Legacy. I changed bios to UEFI and this time the PC tried to boot to the USB, but I got a notice that said "no bootable USB device found". I am still doing something wrong.
My USB is a 2T Samsung. First I took everything off of it and then reformatted it. Next I ran it through Rufus. Then I put the Zorin Lite program on it. What did I do wrong? Thanks.
Without more details, I am not sure. You do not have a little USB 15gig stick?
I have a 16 Gig, but it is full of my saved stuff. I will try to transfer that stuff to the 2T USB and then try the same thing on the smaller one.