I am an absolute Linux beginner, and this is a living document constantly updated with the new things I've learnt and done on my freshly installed ZorinOS to guide other new beginners to improve their Linux Installation.

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Get Started

Do the following first on your computer;

Prerequisite

• Check system requirement & hardware compatibility here.
• Backup your files in an external drive

Install ZorinOS

• Follow this guide on how to install ZorinOS.
• For visual learners, here's a video guide

Update Installations

After installation, update everything to the latest version through Zorin's GUI or copy the commands and run them in Terminal;

System Update

• Open the Software Store and click on Updates >> Update All
• Still on the same page, click on Main Menu >> System Respositories then turn on Canonical-supported free and open source software.
• A pop-up will appear. Click Close

Update Through Terminal

• Open the Termimal app and paste these commands;
• sudo apt update + enter to check for updates
• sudo apt upgrade + enter to apply the updates
• sudo ubuntu-drivers autoinstall + enter to install proprietary drivers
• Restart your computer

Update Drivers

• Open the Software Store and click on Main Menu
• Click on System Respositories
• Click on Additional Drivers then Update

Update GPU Driver(Intel/AMD)

• Check if your laptop has the Mesa Intel® Xe Graphics (TGL GT2)
• Open the Termimal app and paste this command to update it;
• sudo apt install mesa-utils + enter to check for updates

System Optimization

Settings to Improve performance, efficiency, and overall functions of your computer.

Intall Ubuntu Restricted Extras

• This enables support for a wide range of multimedia formats and proprietary tools like audio and video codecs, Adobe Flash Plugin, Unrar and GStreamer Plugins on your computer
• sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras + enter to install

Reduce Boot Time

• This disables the network wait service, which can slow down boot times.
• sudo systemctl disable NetworkManager-wait-online.service + enter to install

Enable zswap for Better RAM Management

• This helps improve performance on systems with limited RAM
• echo "zswap.enabled=1" | sudo tee -a /etc/default/grub && sudo update-grub + enter to install

Enable Fractional Scaling (for High-DPI Displays):

• This makes fonts and UI elements look sharper on high-resolution screens.
• gsettings set org.gnome.mutter experimental-features "['scale-monitor-framebuffer']" + enter to install

Install Apps & Packages

ZorinOS comes with a built-in Software Store and here are packages with beautiful UIs that I use and recommend;

Zen

• A minimalist, lightweight open-source browser based on FireFox with a vertical tab bar.
• Download from the software store

Keypunch

• A minimalist app to practise and improve your typing skills
• Download from the software store

Diodon

• A simple clipboard manager
• Download from the software store

OCRFeeder

• An app that allows you copy text from images
• Download from the software store