I recently installed Zorin OS 17.3 Core (switched from Ubuntu MATE about a month ago), and everything is running perfectly — especially multi-monitor support with different layouts, which was my main concern.
I'd love to move to Zorin OS 18 Core, but the upgrade option hasn't shown up yet in the system (via Updater or Software).
My questions:
Is it worth waiting for the in-place upgrade when it becomes available?
Or is a clean install safer and more reliable?
My plan is to wait until November 20. If the official upgrade from 17.3 to 18 isn't offered by then, I'll back up my data and do a clean install.
Has anyone successfully upgraded from 17.3 Core to 18 Core directly through the system? Did your themes, GNOME extensions, etc., carry over without issues?
The Zorin OS 18 release for Zorin Upgrader path is not yet released.
Both methods are generally safe, though a clean install will always be safer.
Themes and the vast majority of applications should carry forward just fine. Occasionally, an application may have ended development prior to the next release of Zorin OS (in this case, 18), but that does not happen often.
Gnome Extensions are the most fragile component.
The Zorin Extensions will upgrade with the system. But any other extensions you have installed my be problematic.
If I was a Gnome user, I would list my extensions, then after the upgrade, ensure that all are of the Gnome 46 (Zorin 18) versions and get any to that version that are not. Any that cannot be, should be replaced or removed.
Thanks for the quick answer, Aravisian!
I agree — a clean install is definitely safer. I'll wait until I have some free time to do it carefully.
Appreciate the guidance!
Haha, fair question, @zoran!
The system is indeed running smoothly and I’m really enjoying using it—especially now that I’ve managed to get the taskbar in the GNOME layout to show up on both monitors I use.
The thing is, I’ve watched several YouTube videos about the new version of the system, and I really liked the improvements that were made. It seems to have new features, and I’d love to be able to use them.
The big downside of having OCD is wanting everything to be on the latest version released. But maybe I can rethink my decision to do this clean install as soon as possible and leave it for another time—I’m not sure yet.
I used Ubuntu MATE for many years; I really like that distro, even though it’s quite simple. I only recently started using Zorin and I’m still getting used to the system.
Some of the new functions you can setup in Zorin 17 if you like them, e.g. the tiling shell at the top of the desktop (you can use the gnome extension tiling shell) or the floating taskbar.
Yeah, man, having OCD can be a pain sometimes. On top of that, I’m also thinking about the “work” I’ll have to do—reinstalling everything and setting it all up again. As an IT technician, that’s no big deal for me, but since I also work with web development, I’ll have to rebuild my entire dev environment.
And incredibly, your question actually made me rethink whether it’s really worth doing all this this year or just leave it for next year. Like I said, Zorin 17.3 is super fresh and running perfectly smooth.
I personally would wait for the upgrade tool or even longer because Zorin 18 still has problems (samba share, win app support...). If something breaks your system or problems occur, then I'd do a fresh install.
Thanks, @Forpli — golden advice!
I’m definitely holding off. Zorin 17.3 is rock-solid, and with Samba shares and Windows app support still being ironed out in 18, no reason to risk my workflow. If anything breaks down the road, clean install = Plan B.
For now, I went ahead and installed Tiling Shell as you suggested — works well! I’m on the GNOME layout, so the taskbar isn’t the floating one like in the default Zorin style. I think to get that look, I’d need a theme tweak — probably the Orchis theme with rounded corners and some panel styling. I’ll test it calmly later and see what I can pull off.
I'm not quite sure, but when you use a taskbar, in taskbar settings you can enable intellihide at tab "style" and then click on the cogwheel to enable floating taskbar.
You can also use a floating taskbar without intellihide by editing the css file of the gnome extension Zorin taskbar or your gtk theme:
@Aravisian – absolutely, Orchis Dark is one of my favorites too! Installed it on the shell and the GNOME layout looks clean, modern, and perfectly polished. Great call!
@Forpli – thanks for the detailed CSS tip! I think that tweak is perfect for the default Zorin layout with the built-in Zorin Taskbar. Right now I’ve switched to the GNOME layout, and I installed the App Icons Taskbar extension — it finally fixed the taskbar behavior across my dual monitors (no more missing icons or weird spacing). Paired it with Tiling Shell and everything feels super smooth and productive.
So for now, I’m good without editing the Zorin Taskbar CSS — but I’ll definitely keep your method bookmarked for when I switch back to the Zorin style!
I couldn't wait and reinstalled Zorin 18. I had been using Zorin 17 Pro before that. I don't regret it, but 17.3 was rock solid and you can also wait for the in-place upgrade.
Yeah, I decided to stay on 17.3 for now.
Being an IT tech with OCD is a pain sometimes, but after tweaking the GNOME layout, I feel satisfied and confident everything will keep working great.
The thing is, I used Ubuntu MATE for years and loved its simple layout — it reminds me of the setup Elliot used in Mr. Robot.
The difference now is that the layout I managed to customize feels more modernized and has better usability than before, from my point of view.
I still like Ubuntu MATE, but Zorin OS has a more modern look and is really nice to use — plus, the system is much easier to configure.
OCD chuckle - had to look it up - understandable 
I’m on the GNOME layout, so the taskbar isn’t the floating one like in the default Zorin style. I think to get that look, I’d need a theme tweak — probably the Orchis theme with rounded corners and some panel styling. I’ll test it calmly later and see what I can pull off.