Suggestions for Zorin OS

Hello Zorin team,

First of all, thank you for creating such a user-friendly Linux distribution. As a daily Zorin OS user, I would like to suggest a few improvements that could make the experience even better, especially for users migrating from Windows.

### 1. Add a shortcut similar to Windows + I

Pressing Windows + I could open the Settings application, just like in Microsoft Windows. Many new users already expect this shortcut to work.

### 2. Improve visual feedback for Cut (Ctrl + X)

When a user presses Ctrl + X on a file or folder, the icon should become semi-transparent or darker, indicating that it has been "cut" and is waiting to be pasted elsewhere. This visual feedback exists in Windows and helps prevent mistakes.

### 3. Improve behavior of tray icons and quick settings

Some tray icons do not respond consistently to right-click actions. Additionally, when the quick settings menu (Wi-Fi, network, etc.) is open, pressing the Windows/Super key does not always behave as expected. A more consistent interaction model would improve usability.

### 4. Add a "Refresh" option to the desktop context menu

It would be useful to have a Refresh option when right-clicking on the desktop, similar to Windows. Although technically unnecessary most of the time, many users look for this option out of habit.

### 5. Allow renaming files directly from file upload dialogs

When attaching a file to an email through a web browser, the file selection dialog does not allow the selected file to be renamed directly. It would be convenient to have a quick rename option without leaving the dialog.

### 6. Improve Backspace navigation in file picker dialogs

Example:

  • I am inside a folder within Documents.
  • I click on Downloads from the sidebar.
  • If I press Backspace, I would expect to return to the previous folder I was browsing.
  • Instead, the dialog navigates to the parent directory of Downloads.

Using Backspace as a true "Back" function, similar to a web browser, would feel more intuitive.

### 7. Improve VPN connection notifications

When a VPN connects, a large notification appears centered at the top of the screen. This often overlaps the browser's address bar or other interface elements, requiring manual dismissal.

Possible improvements:

  • Smaller notification size.
  • Position it in a corner of the screen.
  • Auto-hide it more quickly.
  • Make it less intrusive while typing.

Thank you for considering these suggestions.

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  1. you can add any shortcut you want in Settings > keyboard > keyboard shortcuts
  2. You can install an extension here GitHub - ToFpon/Nautilus-Extensions: Nautilus Extensions · GitHub
    nautilus-hidden-dim-icon or
    nautilus-hidden-dim-all
  3. This this Gnome and you can't change this
  4. Maybe but F5 do the job
  5. Maybe in newer Gnome version (Zorin 19) but not sure
  6. Nautilus and I doubt it will be changed by canonical
  7. Integrated notification, they will not build a notifier by app, you disable it or not

Take care of you

1 Like