> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://itsfoss.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Zorin OS 17 is Redefining the Visual Experience in a Linux Distro - URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/zorin-os-17-beta/ - Published: 2023-12-05T12:06:44.000Z - Updated: 2023-12-05T12:06:44.000Z - Description: Zorin OS 17 will be an aesthetically pleasing experience. What do you think? - Author: Sourav Rudra - Tags: Development Updates, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15 The next upgrade for one of the [most beautiful Linux distributions](https://itsfoss.com/beautiful-linux-distributions/), Zorin OS, is around the corner. Before the release, they have revealed what you get with Zorin 17, along with the availability of its **first beta version** (for testers). Let's get started and see what's in store. **Suggested Read** 📖 [Here are the Most Beautiful Linux Distributions in 2023Aesthetically pleasing? Customized out of the box? You get the best of both worlds in this list.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/12/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSSAnkush Das![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/08/most-beautiful-linux-distros.png)](https://itsfoss.com/beautiful-linux-distributions/) ## Zorin OS 17: The Best Bits ![a screenshot of zorin os 17 beta desktop screen](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/12/ZorinOS_17_beta_1.jpg) Set to be a major release, Zorin OS 17 is **a long-term support release** (until June 2027), and a packed one at that, with many new and exciting improvements. According to the developers, Zorin OS 17 has been designed to be their “***greatest and most refined computing experience ever***”, and that claim seems well-founded. Let's begin with their “**Spatial Desktop**” implementation, for instance. It is **meant to give users better contextual awareness** of what's happening on their desktop. ![a demo of the new desktop cube in action on zorin os 17 beta](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/12/ZorinOS_17_beta_2a.gif) A new '**Desktop Cube**' has been added that lets you switch between workspaces in a 3D cube-style view that employs a parallax effect to show you a floaty appearance of the app windows. ![a screenshot of zorin os 17 beta spatial window switcher feature](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/12/ZorinOS_17_beta_2b.jpg) This has also made way for a new “**Spatial Window Switcher**” that replaces the standard flat/2D Alt+Tab and Super+Tab window switching dialogs with a 3D window switcher that looks neat. These do look nice in my opinion; however, these effects might not be everyone's cup of tea, luckily **these “Spatial Features” are not enabled by default**. Having said that, it is **a bold move for a Linux distribution to include more things (or effects) that promote visual interactions through such features**. While Zorin OS was already a visually appealing distribution, the new multitasking workflow with the spatial desktop should take it up a notch. A macOS user or a Windows user, who may not be a fan of a typical Linux distribution user interface, might just consider giving Linux a try with Zorin OS's visual approach. Sure, it may not be rocket science (or a unique implementation) but I believe it makes a difference to countless users with visual experience as a priority. Zorin OS is doing all that, while keeping the core benefit "*giving users the control for their experience*". I like how they are adding these visual goodies, making the computing experience fun 😄 You will have to manually enable these features from the new “Effects” section under the **Zorin Appearance** settings. Then there's the **advanced window tiling experience,** one of the most requested features by the community. ![a screenshot of zorin os 17 beta advanced window tiling](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/12/ZorinOS_17_beta_3.jpg) You can now tile windows to use quarter screen corner tiling, and even use keyboard shortcuts to tile windows around the screen. This **will make it easier to multitask effortlessly**. Even the **Software Store has been revamped** to be faster, and features a new design with an updated homepage that lists out applications in a very intuitive manner. The **app details page has also been improved** to show bigger screenshots, and new information. ![a screenshot of zorin os 17 beta updated software store](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/12/ZorinOS_17_beta_4.jpg) Similarly, **a new quick settings menu** has been introduced that gives you handy access to important settings, and also **allows you to tweak your system's performance** with the new power modes option (performance/balanced). The power modes should be helpful for laptop users. ![a screenshot of zorin os 17 beta quick settings menu](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/12/ZorinOS_17_beta_5.jpg) The devs also showcased **a new screenshot and screen recording** tool that will feel familiar if you have used the native one on GNOME. They also mentioned **two new desktop layouts**, one is a **ChromeOS-like** layout, the other is a **GNOME 2-like** layout. ![screenshot of zorin os with chrome os like layout](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/12/layout-chromeos.jpg) ChromeOS-like layout These layouts will be available upon the release of Zorin OS 17 Pro. **So, wrapping up.** It is nice to see what Zorin OS is trying to achieve, **a user experience like this is usually unseen on Linux distros**. This should act as a way for Zorin to stand out, and **may even encourage more Windows and macOS users to try Linux**. For more details of the upcoming Zorin OS 17 release, you can refer to the [official blog](https://blog.zorin.com/2023/12/04/a-sneak-peek-at-zorin-os-17/?ref=itsfoss.com). Before you go, **would you be interested in an early sneak peek?** 📋 You can download the ****Zorin OS 17 Core Beta** right now from the [official website](https://zorin.com/os/download/17/core/beta/?ref=itsfoss.com). Just keep in mind that this is ****not recommended for production/daily use**. [Zorin OS 17 Core Beta](https://zorin.com/os/download/17/core/beta/?ref=itsfoss.com) *💬 Are you hyped for the Zorin 17 release? Let us know below!*