Although I've worked with DOS/Windows for over 30 years, I'm a complete noob when it comes to Linux. I'd like to try ZorinOS as a Windows 7 replacement, but have a question.

If I install Zorin OS 11 now to learn on, what happens when the next LTS version comes out and I want to install it? Can I simply install the new LTS version onto my machine safely without losing all my personal files and settings, or do I need to go through some complex process of archiving and reinstalling my personal files, settings, custom software, etc.?

Apologies for the really noob question, but Linux is like a foreign language to me, so I need to feel my way along carefully at first. Many thanks in advance for any assistance.

Wow, I don't even live that long

Different people have different opinions (rephrasing the famous quote ), but I would not recommend Zorin OS. I tend to think, that Windows is Windows, and Linux/Unix is Linux/Unix. I'd rather try something that looks like Linux, Ubuntu Mate or Xubuntu. They are user-friendly and use they same base as Zorin. I suppose, they have stabler interfaces comparing to Zorin.

When a new version comes out in Ubuntu world (and also some other worlds, like Debian Stable, Fedora, Manjaro..; they have update notifiers preinstalled), a notification appears, that you have updates. You can ignore them, telling to never appear anymore, make them appear once a week, once a day... Updates are not mandatory, but if you update, all of your folders in /home remain the same untouched.

If you actually want to learn Unix/Linux, the best way is the hardest and dirtiest (not really, 'tis beautiful!), so (try to) install something hardcore: Gentoo/Funtoo, CRUX, Free/Net/OpenBSD.

Explained at the Zorin site at the link below.

http://zorinos.com/upgradeguide.html

Some distributions allow upgrades from version to version or from a Long Term Support version to another long term support version, for example Ubuntu. You can also use a Linux system which is a rolling release such as Arch, PCLinuxOS and some others which you update on a regular basis and don't need to reinstall. Do an online search for "Linux rolling release".

Thanks for the responses. Clearly, I have more research to do before I make any final decisions on which distro to use to replace Windows 7.

The distro is easy enough to replace. The nut holding the keyboard is the problem. We all become inured with what we know and/or are using.
I too wouldn't recommend Zorin - look at the (lack of) quality of that guide. Why doesn't it have a link to explain backup options ?.
But install it if you feel comfortable as a first step. Play and learn. When/if you move to something else, what matters is your data. Keep that safe and you can move to another distro easily enough.

Thanks for your caution about Zorin. I've previously downloaded Linux Mint 17.2 and Linux Lite at the suggestion of others and have run them briefly within VirtualBox. I quickly decided that I liked Mint much better, but have not had much time since then to play with it in any depth. My reason for looking into Zorin was that I'd come across an article extolling its virtues as a choice for converts from Windows because it can be made to look very much like Windows 7, which would make a change to Linux far easier on my wife. The conversion from W7 to Linux will be a big change for both of us, but especially for her, so I'm looking for a very user-friendly option to start with.

As to your signature file reminder for people to backup their data, I wholeheartedly agree, but I go even further and suggest that people always keep an OFF-PREMISES backup at all times, such as keeping a backup of a home computer at work or in a safe deposit box, a relative's house nearby, or out in a locked garden shed. That way, the odds of fire or theft occurring at both locations at the same time are reduced to nearly zero. I never want to have all my eggs in one basket.