VMware Player - Install and Setup Zorin

How to Install and Setup Zorin in VMware Player​

   Information

This tutorial is aimed at Windows users who want to try out a Linux distro and learn about a virtual OS installation at the same time. If you are not interested in the virtual part, you can skip directly to Chapter 2 which explains the Zorin setup.

Zorin is a Linux distro with an Ubuntu base. Of all the Linux distros I know, it comes the closest to Windows as far as the user interface (UI) is concerned.

If you are not familiar with Linux and want to experiment with it, I recommend you try Zorin. It can be downloaded from the Zorin site (click on the 'Get it' button). I suggest you take the 64bit version which is the one used in this tutorial.

Coming from Windows, you will not be too alienated using Zorin. It has a Start menu that can be customized to look like Windows 7 or XP and it has a familiar task bar. But there are, of course, differences.

I will explain how to make the basic setup in VMware Player and how to setup Zorin so that it is convenient to use. At one point that involves the command line (Terminal). But don't be scared, I have prepared everything such that this step can be easily mastered.

The setup in VMware player will be explained with text and pictures and the setup inside Zorin will be explained with a video. But I have also documented the essential steps in text format.

Chapter 1 - install Zorin in VMware Player

Download VMware Player from this site and install it on your system. Then start VMware Player and you will see this window.

Here you just click on 'Create a new virtual machine' and you get to this window.

Here you select to install from the .iso image and navigate to the Zorin .iso file that you have downloaded. Then Next.



Mark Linux and choose the Ubuntu 64bit. Then Next.



Browse to the disk/partition and folder where you want to install the virtual partition files. Default is Documents. I recommend predefining a folder for the VMware installation so that all VMware files are in one place. When you are done with the installation, there will be over 25 files and subfolders. Having those mixed with other folders would be messy.



In this window you can take the defaults. Zorin will start out with less than 6GB of disk space usage so a maximum of 20GB for the dynamic virtual disk should suffice. Then Next.



The default allocation is 1GB of RAM and 1 processor. I always assign 2GB of RAM and 2 processors. But you may take what is suitable for your PC. The defaults will work. Then Finish.



Now VMware Player will install the bootstrap system of Zorin. Once this is done, you need to right click on the "Install Zorin 6" DVD as shown in the picture and Open that. This will start the full installation of Zorin.

The Zorin installation process is very similar to the Windows installation process. You set the language, keyboard layout, time zone, and give the system a name. You must define a password - I always use 1234 because Linux distros ask many times for authentication with the password. A complicated password will make the operation more cumbersome. There is one big difference to a Windows installation - you do not need a product key. Zorin is freeware.

Once your installation is completed, restart Zorin - click on the Zorin Start button (bottom left) and then on the power symbol (bottom right in the start menu). That will bring up the various options (restart, shutdown, etc.)

I will explain the rest of the Zorin setup in the following video. The steps are also summarized in the text below the video. Read the note below because you may have to make an audio setting.



Chapter 2 - setting up Zorin

Note: If the audio of this video is too low, do the following:
Right click on the speaker icon in the task tray (bottom right) > Playback devices > double click on your output device > Enhancement tab > check the 'Loudness Equalizer' box







The synopsis of the settings discussed in the video

Screen resolution:Start > System Settings > Display
Full screen: VMware dock > Full screen icon
Hide/Unhide VMware dock: Leftmost icon on the dock
VMware Tools: VMware dock > Player > Manage > Install VMware Tools
Terminal (Command Prompt): Start > Accessories > Terminal
Terminal commands to install VMware Tools:

sudo mount /dev/cdrom /media/cdrom
cp /media/cdrom/VMware*.tar.gz /tmp
sudo umount /media/cdrom
cd /tmp
tar xzvf VMware*.gz
cd vmware-tools-distrib/
sudo ./vmware-install.pl

Those commands are posted on Sevenforums under: "VMware and Zorin"

Office Applications:Start > Office > Libre Office
GParted (Disk Mgmt): Start > System Tools > Administration > GParted
Software Center: Start > System Tools > Administration > Software Center
Firefox Installation: Start > Internet > Zorin Web Browser Manager
Help file: Start > Accessories > Help
Text Editor (Wordpad): Start > Accessories > Text Editor

Related Tutorials

---

• VMware Player - Install Windows 8
• http://www.sevenforums.com/chillout-room/276418-having-fun-zorin.html#post2275421
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/276540-portable-os-carry-your-os-external-drive.html
• VMware Player - Share Partitions Between Host and Guest

 

[whs]

Steve, the Mint Mate tuts I made may help you set it up. They are all on my Youtube but on this PDF the controls are in the order that they should be used.

 

[essenbe]

Thanks, I have it downloaded.

 

[whs]

You are welcome.

 

[marsmimar]

Just a heads up about downloading Zorin. I decided to give it a try today but on their website they have this warning:

ATTENTION: To avoid any complications, we recommend you to download Zorin OS using Firefox as other browsers may corrupt the file and may cause errors.

Sure enough, the download was compromised using Opera (my primary browser) and IE10 (my secondary browser.) The MD5 checksums didn't match. Any ideas why Zorin would be picky about which browser is used to get the download? Does that also mean Zorin will force people to use Firefox as their default browser?

 

[whs]

Just a heads up about downloading Zorin. I decided to give it a try today but on their website they have this warning:

ATTENTION: To avoid any complications, we recommend you to download Zorin OS using Firefox as other browsers may corrupt the file and may cause errors.

Sure enough, the download was compromised using Opera (my primary browser) and IE10 (my secondary browser.) The MD5 checksums didn't match. Any ideas why Zorin would be picky about which browser is used to get the download? Does that also mean Zorin will force people to use Firefox as their default browser?

Yeah, I have seen that too. But I don't even have Firefox in Windows. I used the IE9 and did not have any problems. But if the checksum is off, you better not use it.

 

[kado897]

I downloaded it with Chrome OK.

 

[DavidE]

Thanks Wolfgang for this tutorial - Nice work!
I followed it and have Zorin running under Win 7 64 bit.
Is it possible to add a "Quick Launch" type toolbar to the Zorin taskbar ?

 

[whs]

I am not aware of a Quick Launch facility in Zorin. But maybe the guys of the Zorin forum have an idea.

http://zoringroup.com/forum/

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hello Wolfgang mate so I have to set up a VM machine to run Zorin as I have just spent the last few days to make a dual boot form a bootable stick with Zorin on it using the UUI and Rufus methods of making the stick bootable but the machine just goes straight to the hard drive and boots Windows from the hard drive no matter hat I set in the BIOS.

I am just about ready to give it away to be honest as it seems to be so complicated.

 

[ethel]

Zorin os 12 core 64 bit

Hello Everyone, I do not know if anyone can help me here. I have been on Zorin's Forums, and suggestions
for installing the system have not worked so far. I purchased the Zorin dvd, and a Seagate 1tb external
hard drive, as I wish to keep it apart from windows. I boot into the dvd, Zorin shows the Seagate external
drive straight away, but when I try instructions from different forums all I get is no root file system is defined, please correct this from partitioning menu. I have been told to allow 30gb for '|' root file system,
ext4, but everytime there is the same error. Am becoming very confused. I do like the Zorin desktop,
it seems nice like Windows 7. I just want to make sure grub stays away from Windows, and that Zorin
installs to the external hard drive.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hiyya Ethel now I have Zorin dual booted on my tester desktop and all I did was download the Zorin core and install it. Download - Zorin OS

I did that using this Dual Boot - Windows 7 and Linux

Having raved on about all that I am wondering if you would have been better off having just the new drive hooked up and installing the Zorin download from a stick or disk. I prefer a disk myself but the choice is a personal thing anyway.

 

[Layback Bear]

The times I have used Zorin, I unhooked all other drives and hook the would be Zorin drive to a Sata port.

Doing it in this fashion, makes sure no other drives are bothered in any way with the install.
When the Zorin install is complete I hooked up the other drives.

When done I would dual boot using F8 key from my Asus bios.

Jack

 

[ethel]

Zorin 02 12

Hello and Thank you both for replying. I think I will download zorin again even though I purchased the dvd
it is no big deal, it only costed $5.95. The usb stick is the easiest way. I had it on a usb stick a few weeks
back and for some reason decided to purchase the dvd. Also from the usb stick would I be able to install
it on the external harddrive without any dramas?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hmm don't know about that Ethel I suppose you can try that with all other drives disconnected to avoid any confusion as to where the Zorin OS is to be installed.

But personally I wouldn't be holding my breath for long.

 

[Golden]

Are you trying to install Zorin as a VM in VMWare Player? It should be straightforward. Suggest you post screenshots of the issues you are having.

 

[ethel]

zorin os 12

Thank you everyone, I think I will go with the dual boot as ICIT2LOL has done. I have not downloaded
zorin yet, internet a bit on the slow side for downloading today. The VMware Player may be a bit beyond my
knowledge. I will post back when and if I succeed.

 

[essenbe]

Ethel, VMWare player is very simple and will avoid any chance of messing up your primary OS. If you will follow the tutorial in post 1 in this thread, you will have no problems. Here is a video of installing Linux Mint in Windows 10. It will be no different than installing Zorin in Windows 7. While there are several ways to do it, the video just shows the way I do it., I think you will see how easy it is.

 

[ethel]

zorin os 12

Hello essenbe, I will give this a go in the next few days. At the moment I am a bit bored with playing with it,but I do not give up easily. Thank you very much. I want to install zorin, but I guess I have to stop
worrying about windows so much or I will never do it.

 

[ethel]

zorin 02 12

Hello Everybody, I am feeling pretty happy. I managed to install Zorin os 12 to the seagate external hard drive without
effecting windows. The grub bootloader is installed on the external hard drive, which is great. I kept looking on the internet
and other people were wanting to do the same thing as me. I followed the instructions for linux mint on an external hdd
using gparted, to partition the disk. The trouble seemed mainly to be because of using a 1tb drive, something to do with
alignment. Following the Linux instructions, all installed. Can just boot as Thrashzone does from seagate usb, or Windows.
I am feeling a bit proud of myself, did not think I could do it, may have a bit more brain than I give myself credit for.
Thank you once again everyone for all the good suggestions.

 

[essenbe]

Congratulations Ethel, glad you got it sorted like you wanted it. I don't think you need to be concerned about your brain power. It has little to do with brain power. It's just figuring out how to do what you want to do. That's how we all learn.