Sometimes manufacturer does a "stealth" update of their product without any explicit indication.
I have RTL8188CUS (version 2) which is the only chipset I managed to make work in Clear Linux white it was in the beta. (It might change after that though. I did not check.)
I wonder if it is easier for the beginners to install Gdebi and do it in GUI.
sudo apt install gdebi
Then double click on the downloaded deb file.
I will try this but for now the sudo dpkg -i *.deb works, but it worked on linux mint. I decided to try zorin 15.3 lite because I noticed it boots faster on this low performance laptop. However, there are dependency errors I am hoping can be fixed to get the WiFi adapter to work on the Zorin 15.3.
Here is the error:
whoever@whoever-Lenovo-ideapad-330-15ARR:~$ sudo dpkg -i *.deb
(Reading database ... 242014 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to unpack rtl8821ce-dkms_5.5.2.1-0ubuntu3_all.deb ...
Unpacking rtl8821ce-dkms (5.5.2.1-0ubuntu3) over (5.5.2.1-0ubuntu3) ...
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of rtl8821ce-dkms:
rtl8821ce-dkms depends on dkms (>= 2.1.0.0); however:
Package dkms is not installed.
dpkg: error processing package rtl8821ce-dkms (--install):
dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
Errors were encountered while processing:
rtl8821ce-dkms
Can I get some guidance on resolving this?
I checked dkms in Synaptic.
In Zorin 16, dkms version is 2.8.1-5.
You might try it in Zorin 16 and see if you can solve this unmet dependency.
Before I try it I would like to explain that I am trying to get a faster boot time. Zorin 15.3 lite boots faster than Linux Mint Xfce, but Linux mint Xfce boots faster than Zorin 16, hence, before giving up on Zorin 15.3 lite, I would like to ask if it's possible to fix the dependency problem to get the Wifi working on the Zorin 15.3?
I think it is possible but you have to ask someone like @Aravisian who is more knowledgeable for such matters.
If you are looking at speed, I might suggest you to have a look at MXLinux. It uses XFCE desktop and because of the absence of systemD, it works very efficiently.
I would love to try the MX Linux xfce especially because MX Linux plasma was easier to setup but I am wondering how easy is it to find and install software. This is my sister's laptop and she is one of these people who have no patience to learn about computers. I find Zorin and Mint is like Microsoft Windows and is therefore more familiar and easier to use.
My husband (former mac user) is happily using MXLinux for a few years now. He is anything but computer savvy.
XFCE desktop is much easier to manoeuvrer than GNOME for beginners.
Other option would be installing XFCE desktop on top of Zorin 16 Core. @Aravisian knows much better than myself when it comes to installing other DE.
I apologize.
I assumed Zorin 16, 'cuz that's what all the kids on the street are using these days.
Try the Bionic Package instead:
https://packages.ubuntu.com/bionic-updates/rtl8821ce-dkms
That being said; MX Linux is awesome and especially good for new users. The repositories are good and installations are easy. In my opinion, anyway.
Development includes not just accepting yourself as your base model, but constantly learning and improving, each and every day.
Are we secret agents from MX to snatch some Zorin users? 
But really, if my husband can use it, so as many people including OP's sister.
Nah, they both can earn their keep on their own.
I tried it. Zorin 16 boots a bit bit faster than MX Linux xfce, so I decided to try installing:
The same dependency error that showed up when trying to install this package on Zorin 15.3 occured while installing the package on Zorin 16.
I also tried the bionic package. That too showed the same error but in addition it issued a warning that it's downgrading to Ubuntu 18.04.1
USB Wifi dongle?
While I learn about Linux from digging at these issues to try to fix them, my visit at my sister is over in 2 days so I will have to reinstall the MX Linux Plasma and settle for the slower boot time.
Hope I don't discover any other hiccups on the reinstall.
Thanks for your help. Learning how to install deb packages was the best part of this exercise.
I wonder if it is a regression in the kernel.
The one noted difference was that the lower kernel worked - and this current one does not. You might downgrade the kernel.
I was wondering why the older kernel version works but the newer one doesn't but forgot to ask about it.
But I will need the internet for this right?
LOL Worst... Problem... Ever... Right?
You would need to do the Same Back and forth you did getting the driver.
Move the files into a folder alone, then open a terminal in that directory and run sudo dpkg -i *.deb
LOL. Yes but best linux lesson too.
There is a dependency error:
~$ sudo dpkg -i *.deb
[sudo] password for iamwhoiam:
Selecting previously unselected package linux-headers-5.10.0-5mx-amd64.
(Reading database ... 205894 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to unpack linux-headers-5.10.0-5mx-amd64_5.10.24-1~mx19+1_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking linux-headers-5.10.0-5mx-amd64 (5.10.24-1~mx19+1) ...
Selecting previously unselected package linux-image-5.10.0-5mx-amd64-unsigned.
Preparing to unpack linux-image-5.10.0-5mx-amd64-unsigned_5.10.24-1~mx19+1_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking linux-image-5.10.0-5mx-amd64-unsigned (5.10.24-1~mx19+1) ...
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of linux-headers-5.10.0-5mx-amd64:
linux-headers-5.10.0-5mx-amd64 depends on linux-headers-5.10.0-5mx-common (= 5.10.24-1~mx19+1); however:
Package linux-headers-5.10.0-5mx-common is not installed.
linux-headers-5.10.0-5mx-amd64 depends on linux-kbuild-5.10 (>= 5.10.24-1~mx19+1); however:
Package linux-kbuild-5.10 is not installed.
linux-headers-5.10.0-5mx-amd64 depends on gcc-8; however:
Package gcc-8 is not installed.
dpkg: error processing package linux-headers-5.10.0-5mx-amd64 (--install):
dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
Setting up linux-image-5.10.0-5mx-amd64-unsigned (5.10.24-1~mx19+1) ...
I: /boot/vmlinuz.old is now a symlink to vmlinuz-5.8.0-49-generic
I: /boot/vmlinuz is now a symlink to vmlinuz-5.10.0-5mx-amd64
I: /boot/initrd.img is now a symlink to initrd.img-5.10.0-5mx-amd64
/etc/kernel/postinst.d/initramfs-tools:
update-initramfs: Generating /boot/initrd.img-5.10.0-5mx-amd64
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navi12_gpu_info.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/arcturus_gpu_info.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navy_flounder_ta.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navy_flounder_sos.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/sienna_cichlid_ta.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/sienna_cichlid_sos.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/arcturus_ta.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/arcturus_asd.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/arcturus_sos.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navi12_ta.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navi12_asd.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navi12_sos.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/renoir_ta.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/arcturus_rlc.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/arcturus_mec2.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/arcturus_mec.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navy_flounder_rlc.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navy_flounder_mec2.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navy_flounder_mec.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navy_flounder_me.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navy_flounder_pfp.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navy_flounder_ce.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/sienna_cichlid_rlc.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/sienna_cichlid_mec2.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/sienna_cichlid_mec.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/sienna_cichlid_me.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/sienna_cichlid_pfp.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/sienna_cichlid_ce.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navi12_rlc.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navi12_mec2.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navi12_mec.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navi12_me.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navi12_pfp.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navi12_ce.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/arcturus_sdma.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navi12_sdma1.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navi12_sdma.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navy_flounder_sdma.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/sienna_cichlid_sdma.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/sienna_cichlid_mes.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navi10_mes.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/oland_uvd.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/pitcairn_uvd.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/verde_uvd.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/tahiti_uvd.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navy_flounder_vcn.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/sienna_cichlid_vcn.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navi12_vcn.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/arcturus_vcn.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navy_flounder_smc.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/sienna_cichlid_smc.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navi12_smc.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/arcturus_smc.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navi12_dmcu.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/navy_flounder_dmcub.bin for module amdgpu
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/amdgpu/sienna_cichlid_dmcub.bin for module amdgpu
/etc/kernel/postinst.d/zz-update-grub:
Sourcing file/etc/default/grub' Sourcing file/etc/default/grub.d/init-select.cfg'
Generating grub configuration file ...
Found theme: /usr/share/grub/themes/zorin/theme.txt
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-5.10.0-5mx-amd64
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-5.10.0-5mx-amd64
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-5.8.0-49-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-5.8.0-49-generic
Adding boot menu entry for UEFI Firmware Settings
done
Errors were encountered while processing:
linux-headers-5.10.0-5mx-amd64
In addition to the two packages linked above:
http://mxrepo.com/mx/testrepo/pool/test/l/linux/linux-kbuild-5.10_5.10.46-2~mx19+1_amd64.deb
http://mxrepo.com/mx/testrepo/pool/test/l/linux/linux-compiler-gcc-10-x86_5.10.19-1~mx19+1_amd64.deb
Again; you must place all packages into one otherwise empty folder, then open a terminal within that folder and run all at once:
sudo dpkg -i *.deb
Is security affected by reverting back to an older kernel?