Upgrade Zorin OS

Upgrade Zorin OS from a previous version, or from a free edition to Zorin OS Pro.

You can directly upgrade your existing installation of Zorin OS in-place with the Upgrade Zorin OS app. This means you should keep your existing files, apps, and settings after the upgrade is complete.

Note

The option to upgrade is only available on Zorin OS 15 or newer. If you wish to upgrade from Zorin OS 12 or earlier, you will need to overwrite your current copy of Zorin OS with a new clean installation by following these instructions instead.

1. Back up your data

To avoid data loss, please back up the important files on your computer to an external drive or cloud storage service.

View how to back up your files ›

2. Install the latest software updates

Your system should be up-to-date before starting the upgrade. To ensure this, open the Zorin Menu → System Tools → Software Updater and follow the on-screen instructions.

Please restart your computer before continuing with the upgrade process if prompted by the Software Updater.

3. Start the upgrade

Open the Zorin Menu → System Tools → Upgrade Zorin OS.
After checking for upgrades, select your desired upgrade option.
If you’re upgrading to Zorin OS Pro, you’ll need to enter the details of your purchase. You can find your support code…
- on the download page shown immediately after purchasing your copy of Zorin OS Pro; or
- in the email with your download link for Zorin OS Pro. If you previously deleted or lost it, you can request a new copy of this email ›
If you haven’t purchased a copy of Zorin OS Pro yet, press the “Skip” button in the top-right corner of the app window and follow the on-screen instructions.
Please wait while the Upgrader checks whether your system meets the upgrade requirements. This step may take a few minutes.
Carefully read the following notice to ensure the upgrade will be successful. If you’re ready to proceed, press the “Upgrade” button in the top-right corner of the app window.
Warning
The upgrade may fail if you previously modified the operating system's core components. This is more likely to occur if you're attempting to upgrade between major versions (such as Zorin OS 16 → 17) and you performed one or more of the following actions in the past:
- added third-party software repositories to your system
- manually edited system files
- executed unofficial scripts/commands
If you made modifications like these to your system, we recommend replacing your current installation of Zorin OS with your new version instead of using the Upgrade Zorin OS app.
Please wait while the upgrade completes. This process may take a long time, depending on your Internet speed.
After the upgrade completes, please restart your computer to apply the changes if prompted.