Setup Zorin OS

setup-zorinos.md

What do you need?

1. An external disk to back up your data
2. A USB drive to install Zorin OS

Back up your data

1. Format an external disk to exFAT format
2. Back up your data to this external disk
3. Don't forget to back up your config files (.gitconfig, .ssh/, .Renviron, .Rprofile, etc.)

Create installation media

1. Download the installation file (Core Edition) of Zorin OS here
2. Install the utility Rufus (portable version) to create a bootable USB drive
3. Plug your USB drive
4. Launch Rufus and copy the iso file (Zorin OS) to the USB drive

Install Zorin OS

1. Leave your USB key plugged in
2. Reboot your laptop
3. Access the boot menu (press F10 or another key)
4. Select your USB key and press enter
5. Select Try or Install Zorin OS
6. Follow instructions
7. Reboot and unplug the USB drive

System update

• Via graphical interface
• Alternatively,

# System packages ----
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

# Flatpak ----
sudo flatpak update -y

• Reboot

Check devices

• Sound
• Microphone
• Webcam
• Network
• Peripherals
• Printer

Improve security & privacy

• Firewall
• Disable search
• Disable connectivity check
• Disable Location
• Disable Desktop sharing
• Disable Remote connection

Guided tour

• Taskbar
• Zorin menu
• Notification area
• Activities
• File manager
• Workspaces
• Zorin Appearance
• Settings

Restore config files

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Software management

• System package (apt)
• Flatpak
• Snap
• .deb file

Recommended software

• OnlyOffice
• VLC
• Firefox
• Chromium
• OnlyOffice
• Zoom
• Teams for Linux
• GIMP
• Inkscape
• Zotero
• KeepassXC
• Proton Authenticator
• Color Picker

Software to delete

• Brave
• Brasero
• LibreOffice
• Remmina
• Rhythmbox

Data science software

Install R

# Update APT repository indices ----
sudo apt update -qq

# Install helper packages ----
sudo apt install --no-install-recommends software-properties-common dirmngr wget

# Add CRAN GPG key ----
wget -qO- https://cloud.r-project.org/bin/linux/ubuntu/marutter_pubkey.asc | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/cran_ubuntu_key.asc

# Add CRAN repository to APT repository list ----
sudo add-apt-repository "deb https://cloud.r-project.org/bin/linux/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs)-cran40/"

# Update APT repository indices ----
sudo apt update

# Install R ----
sudo apt install r-base r-base-dev

Install git

# Install git ----
sudo apt install git

Install LaTeX

sudo apt install texlive-full

Install Python

sudo apt install python3 python3-dev python3-pip python3-venv

Install Positron

# Install helper package ----
sudo apt install gdebi-core

# Download Positron ---
POSITRON_VERSION='2025.12.1-4'
wget https://cdn.posit.co/positron/releases/deb/x86_64/Positron-$POSITRON_VERSION-x64.deb

# Install/update Positron ----
sudo gdebi Positron-$POSITRON_VERSION-x64.deb

# Clean directory ----
rm Positron-$POSITRON_VERSION-x64.deb

Install R packages

install.packages("sf") # Resolve missing system libraries issue

Install utils & system libraries

# Install utilities ----
sudo apt install \
  apt-transport-https \
  btop \
  build-essential \
  ca-certificates \
  curl \
  dirmngr \
  ffmpeg
  htop \
  imagemagick \
  screen \
  software-properties-common \
  ttf-mscorefonts-installer \ 
  tree \ 
  unzip \
  wget \
  zip

# Install system libraries ----
sudo apt install \
  cmake \
  libfreetype6-dev \
  libpoppler-cpp-dev \
  libmagick++-dev \
  libmagick++-dev \
  libpoppler-cpp-dev \
  libgmp3-dev \
  libgdal-dev \
  libproj-dev \
  libgeos-dev \
  libudunits2-dev \
  libnode-dev \
  libcairo2-dev \
  libnetcdf-dev \
  libssl-dev \
  libmpfrc++-dev \
  libfftw3-bin \
  libfftw3-dev \
  libgsl-dev \
  libharfbuzz-dev \
  libfribidi-dev

Copy data from external disk

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