Software:Linux Mint

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Linux Mint
Linux Mint logo with text: linuxmint
The logo of Linux Mint
Linux Mint 22 "Wilma" using Cinnamon 6.2.7
DeveloperClément Lefèbvre,[1] Linux Mint Teams and community[2]
OS familyUnix-like
Working stateCurrent
Source modelOpen source
Initial releaseAugust 27, 2006; 19 years ago (2006-08-27)
|Final release|Latest release}}
  • Main:
    Error: first parameter is missing. ()
  • LMDE:
    Error: first parameter is missing. ()
Repositorygithub.com/linuxmint
Available inMultilingual[3]
Update method
  • APT (command line)
  • Software Manager, Update Manager & Synaptic (graphical user interfaces)
Package managerAPT (dpkg) · Flatpak
Platformsx86-64
Kernel typeMonolithic (Linux)
UserlandGNU
Default user interface
LicenseMainly GPL and other free software licenses, minor additions of proprietary software
Official websitelinuxmint.com

Linux Mint is a community-developed Linux distribution based on Ubuntu. First released in 2006, Linux Mint is often noted for its ease of use, out-of-the-box functionality, and appeal to desktop users.[5][6] It comes bundled with a selection of free and open-source software. The default desktop environment is Cinnamon, developed by the Linux Mint team, with MATE and Xfce available as alternatives. A Debian based version of Linux Mint also exists, called Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE). Linux Mint is available for x86-64 systems. [7][8][9][10]

History

2006–2013

Linux Mint began in 2006 with a beta release, 1.0, code named 'Ada',[11] based on Kubuntu and using its KDE interface. Linux Mint 2.0 'Barbara' was the first version to use Ubuntu as its codebase and its GNOME interface. It had few users until the release of Linux Mint 3.0, 'Cassandra'.[12][13] Linux Mint 2.0 was based on Ubuntu 6.10[14][15] using Ubuntu's package repositories and using it as a codebase. It then followed its own codebase, building each release from the previous one, but continuing to use the package repositories of the latest Ubuntu release. This made the two systems' bases almost identical, guaranteeing full compatibility between them, rather than requiring Mint to be a fork. Initially, there were two yearly Linux Mint releases, timed to be approximately one month after Ubuntu releases (which in turn are about one month after GNOME releases and two months after X Window System releases). In 2008, Linux Mint adopted the same release cycle as Ubuntu and dropped its minor version number before releasing version 5 'Elyssa', and every fourth release was labeled a LTS version,[16] indicating that it was supported (with updates) for longer than traditional releases.[17] The same year, in an effort to increase compatibility between the two systems, Linux Mint decided to abandon its codebase and starting with Linux Mint 6 'Felicia' each release was based completely on the latest Ubuntu release, built directly from it, and made available approximately one month after the corresponding Ubuntu release (usually in May or November). In 2010, Linux Mint released Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE). Unlike the other Ubuntu-based editions (Ubuntu Mint), LMDE was originally a rolling release based directly on Debian and not tied to Ubuntu packages or its release schedule.[13] It was announced on May 27, 2015, that the Linux Mint team would no longer support the original rolling release version of LMDE after January 1, 2016.[18] LMDE 2 'Betsy' was a long-term support release based on Debian Jessie.[19] When LMDE 2 was released, it was announced that all LMDE users would be automatically upgraded to new versions of MintTools software and new desktop environments before they were released into the main edition of Linux Mint.[20]

Since 2014

In 2014 the successor to 17 Qiana was announced to be 17.1 Rebecca; the development team said that from a technical point of view Linux Mint was no longer tied to the Ubuntu schedule, so it could be released at any time, although the six-month cycle provided rhythm, leading to a late November 2014 target.[21]

On February 20, 2016, the Linux Mint website was breached by unknown hackers who briefly replaced download links for a version of Linux Mint with a modified version containing malware. The hackers also breached the database of the website's user forum.[22][23] Linux Mint immediately took its server offline and implemented enhanced security configurations for their website and forum.[24]

Beginning with the release of Linux Mint 18 (Sarah), the OEM version,[lower-alpha 2] and the No Codecs version[lower-alpha 3] was discontinued in order to reduce the number of ISO images that needed to be maintained.[27]

Starting with Linux Mint 20, only 64-bit architecture is supported.[28][29] This is because Canonical decided to drop 32-bit support from Ubuntu 20.04, which is the base from which Linux Mint 20 is derived.[30] Starting with LMDE 7 The Debian-based LMDE no longer supports 32-bit processors as Debian 13 Trixie that LMDE 7 is based upon no longer supports 32 bit.

Features

Linux Mint primarily uses free and open-source software. Before version 18, some proprietary software, such as device drivers, Adobe Flash Player and codecs for MP3 and DVD-Video playback, were bundled with the OS.[31][32][33] Starting with version 18, the installer provides an option to install third-party, proprietary software.[9]

Linux Mint comes bundled with a wide range of application software, including LibreOffice, Firefox, Thunderbird, Transmission, and VLC media player. Additional programs can be downloaded using the package manager, adding a PPA, or adding a source to the sources file in the /etc/apt/ directory. Linux Mint allows networking ports to be closed using its firewall, with customized port selection available. The default Linux Mint desktop environments, Cinnamon and MATE, support many languages.[34][35] Linux Mint can also run many programs designed for Microsoft Windows (such as Microsoft Office), using the Wine compatibility layer.

Linux Mint is available with a number of desktop environments to choose from, including the default Cinnamon desktop, MATE and Xfce. Other desktop environments can be installed via APT, Synaptic, or via the custom Mint Software Manager.

Linux Mint implements Mandatory Access Control with AppArmor to enhance security by default, and restricts the default network-facing processes.

Linux Mint actively develops software for its operating system. Most of the development is done in Python and the source code is available on GitHub.[36][37]

Software by Linux Mint

"MGSE" redirects here. For the chemical compound with the formula MgSe, see magnesium selenide.
The interface for mintUpdate, Linux Mint's Update tool
The Linux Mint Software Manager allows users to view, install, and uninstall programs.

Cinnamon

The Cinnamon desktop environment is a fork of GNOME Shell with Mint Gnome Shell Extensions (MGSE) on top. It was released as an add-on for Linux Mint 12 and has been available as a default desktop environment since Linux Mint 13.[38]

Hypnotix

Hypnotix is the IPTV software developed by the Mint team. The first prototype was released in 2020 following positive reaction to the announcement of the team that it could develop an IPTV application.[39]

MintTools

  • Software Manager (mintInstall): Designed to install software from the Ubuntu and Linux Mint software repositories, as well as Launchpad PPAs. Since Linux Mint 18.3, the Software Manager has also been able to install software from Flatpak remotes, and is configured with Flathub by default.[40] It features an interface heavily inspired by GNOME Software, and is built upon GTK3.[41]
  • Update Manager (mintUpdate): Designed to prevent inexperienced users from installing updates that are unnecessary or require a certain level of knowledge to configure properly. Updates can be set to notify users (as is normal), be listed but not notify, or be hidden by default. In addition to including updates specifically for the Linux Mint distribution, the development team tests all package-wide updates. In newer versions of the operating system, this safety level mechanism is largely deactivated in favor of system snapshots created by the Timeshift tool.
  • Main Menu (mintMenu): Created for the MATE desktop environment. It is a menu of options including filtering, installation, and removal of software, system and places links, favourites, session management, editable items, custom places and many configuration options.
  • Backup Tool (mintBackup): Enables the user to back up and restore data. Data can be backed up before a fresh install of a newer release, and then restored.
  • Upload Manager (mintUpload): Defines upload services for FTP, SFTP and SCP servers. Services are then available in the system tray and provide zones where they may be automatically uploaded to their corresponding destinations. As of Linux Mint 18.3, this software is no longer installed by default but is still available in the Linux Mint software repositories.[42]
  • Domain Blocker (mintNanny): A basic domain blocking parental control tool introduced with v6. Enables the user to manually add domains to be blocked system-wide. As of Linux Mint 18.3, this software is no longer installed by default but is still available in the Linux Mint software repositories.[42]
  • Desktop Settings (mintDesktop): A tool for configuration of the desktop.
  • Welcome Screen (mintWelcome): Introduced in Linux Mint 7, an application that starts on the first login of any new account. It provides links to the Linux Mint website, user guide, and community website. It also gives a user some first steps such as choosing a desktop color, installing updates and drivers, and making system snapshots.
  • USB Image Writer/USB Stick Formatter (mintStick): A tool for writing an image onto a USB drive or formatting a USB stick.
  • System Reports (mintReport): Introduced in Linux Mint 18.3, the purpose of System Reports is to allow the user to view and manage automatically generated application crash reports. This application can also suggest users to take actions on their system such as installing drivers or taking system snapshots.

Editions

Linux Mint has multiple editions based on Ubuntu, with various desktop environments available.[10] It also has a Debian-based edition.[43]

Ubuntu-based editions

As of Linux Mint 22.2, there are three main editions developed by the core development team and using Ubuntu as a base. One includes Linux Mint's own Cinnamon as the desktop environment, the second uses MATE and the third uses Xfce. Since the release of version 19 (Tara) in June 2018, the three editions are released simultaneously.[44][45]

Beginning with the release of Linux Mint 19, the KDE edition was officially discontinued; however, the KDE 17.x and 18.x releases were supported until 2019 and 2021, respectively.[40]

Cinnamon (Edge) Edition

In addition to its regular ISO images, Linux Mint sometimes provides an "edge" ISO image for its latest release. This image ships with newer components such as the kernel to be able to support the most modern hardware chipsets and devices.[46] As of Linux Mint 22 series, there are no edge editions and instead use the latest HWE kernel series if available.[47]

LMDE

File:Cinnamon on LMDE Demonstration.webm The Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE) uses Debian Stable as the software source base rather than Ubuntu.[48] LMDE was originally based directly on Debian's Testing branch, but it was designed to provide the same functionality and look and feel as the Ubuntu-based editions.[49] LMDE has its own package repositories.[50]

The original LMDE (now often referred to as LMDE 1) had a semi-rolling release development model, which periodically introduced 'Update Packs' (tested snapshots of Debian Testing).[49] Installing an Update Pack allowed the user to keep LMDE 1 current without having to reinstall the system every six months, as with standard Mint.[51] LMDE 2 (named Betsy) was released in 2015[52] and was based on Debian Jessie, transitioning into a fixed point release model. It received automatic updates to the latest versions of MintTools and the installed desktop environment before they were released into the main Mint edition.[19][20] LMDE 2 was available with both the MATE and Cinnamon desktop environments.[49] Unlike the Debian version it was based on, LMDE 2 remained based on sysvinit but with a 'functional logind' from systemd.[53][54]

LMDE 2 'Betsy' running Cinnamon 2.8

LMDE 3 (named Cindy) completed the switch from sysvinit to systemd.[55] It was based on Debian Stretch and was released in 2018,[56] shipping as a single edition with Cinnamon.[40] The latest version of LMDE, version 7 (Gigi), based on Debian Trixie, was released on 14 October 2025. It dropped support for i386, exclusively supporting amd64.[57]

Development

Linux Mint 18 Cinnamon Edition's live CD boot menu

Individual users and companies using the operating system act as donors,[58] sponsors,[59] and partners[60] of the distribution. Linux Mint relies on user feedback to make decisions and orient its development. The official blog often features discussions where users are asked to voice their opinion about the latest features or decisions implemented for upcoming releases. Ideas can be submitted, commented upon and rated by users via the Linux Mint Community Website.[61]

The community of Linux Mint users use Launchpad to participate in the translation of the operating system and in reporting bugs.[62]

Most development is done in Python, C and Javascript[63] and organized online using GitHub.[64]

Releases

Linux Mint does not set fixed release dates, instead publishing new versions "when ready". This approach allows for early releases if ahead of schedule or delays if critical bugs are found.[65]

Every version of Linux Mint is given a version number and code-named with a feminine first name ending in 'a' and beginning with a letter of the alphabet that increased with every major revision.[13]

In 2014, with the release of Linux Mint 17,[66] the team adopted a new release strategy, with all future versions planned to use an LTS version of Ubuntu as a base, until 2016.[67][68]

X-Apps

In 2016,[69] the Linux Mint team released the X-Apps,[70] a collection of applications that aims to work across different GTK-based desktop environments such as but not limited to Cinnamon, Budgie, Unity, MATE, and XFCE; most of these applications have a traditional user interface (UI), for example, using a menu bar instead of a header-bar.[71][72] According to the team, the integration of many applications as tied to specific environments and that was the case of a growing number of GNOME applications.

As of 2024, the Linux Mint team is in the process of transitioning development for X-Apps applications from being part of the Linux Mint development process to being a completely independent project.[73] Most of them are forks of GNOME Core Applications.

Reception

In a 2012 online poll at Lifehacker, Linux Mint was voted the second best Linux distribution, after Ubuntu, with almost 16% of the votes.[74] In October 2012 (Issue 162), Linux Format named Linux Mint the best distro for 2012.[75] In May 2013, David Hayward of TechRadar praised Linux Mint for focusing on desktop users.[76] In July 2013 (Issue 128), Linux User & Developer gave Linux Mint 15 "Olivia" a score of 5/5, stating "We haven't found a single problem with the distro... we're more than satisfied with the smooth, user-friendly experience that Linux Mint 15, and Cinnamon 1.8, provides for it to be our main distro for at least another 6 months".[77]

In 2016, reviews of Linux Mint 18 "Sarah" were somewhat mixed, with several that were quite favorable[78][79][80][81] and others critical of several specific new problems, with multiple reviews complaining about the lack of multimedia/codec support by default.[82][83] Multimedia codecs that had previously been included in the standard Mint distribution were no longer included in "Sarah", but could be loaded with a graphical application that one Ars Technica reviewer said should be obvious for new users.[79]

ZDNet Contributing Editor Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols, reviewing Linux Mint 19 and LM 19.1 in the articles "The Linux Mint desktop continues to lead the rest" in July 2018[84] and "The better-than-ever Linux desktop" in December 2018,[85] noted Mint's quality, stability, security and user-friendliness compared to other popular distributions. ZDNet's review of Linux Mint 19.2 said: "After looking at many Linux desktops year in and out, Linux Mint is the best of the breed. It's easy to learn (even if you've never used Linux before), powerful, and with its traditional windows, icons, menus, and pointers (WIMP) interface, it's simple to use."[86]

In 2024, Linux Mint 22 was released which received mostly positive reviews. Steven Vaughan-Nichol, senior contributing editor at ZD Net praised Mint's propensity to remain the same in terms of functionality.[87] The Register points to the fact that unverified Flatpak packages are now off by default and users need to explicitly enable the option to make them visible. This move has reduced the number of packages in Flathub.[88]

Release history

Linux Mint version history
Version Codename Edition Codebase Compatible repository Desktop environment Release date LTS Support end
1.0 Ada Main Kubuntu 6.06 (Dapper Drake) KDE 2006-08-27 27 August 2006 rowspan="16" data-sort-value="" style="background: #ececec; color: #2C2C2C; vertical-align: middle; font-size: smaller; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | N/A Unknown
2.0 Barbara Ubuntu 6.10 (Edgy Eft) GNOME 2006-11-13 13 November 2006 rowspan="5" style="text-align: right;" | April 2008
2.1 Bea 2006-12-20 20 December 2006


rowspan=3 2.2 Bianca 2007-02-20 20 February 2007


Light 2007-03-29 29 March 2007


KDE CE Kubuntu 6.10 KDE 2007-04-20 20 April 2007


rowspan=5 3.0 Cassandra Main Bianca 2.2 Ubuntu 7.04 (Feisty Fawn) GNOME 2007-05-30 30 May 2007 rowspan="5" style="text-align: right;" | October 2008
Light 2007-06-15 15 June 2007


KDE CE Kubuntu 7.04 KDE 2007-08-14 14 August 2007


MiniKDE CE
Xfce CE Cassandra 3.0 Xubuntu 7.04 Xfce 2007-08-07 7 August 2007


rowspan=2 3.1 Celena Main Bianca 2.2 Ubuntu 7.04 (Feisty Fawn) GNOME 2007-09-24 24 September 2007 rowspan="2" style="text-align: right;" | October 2008
Light 2007-10-01 1 October 2007


rowspan=3 4.0 Daryna Main Celena 3.1 Ubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon) 2007-10-15 15 October 2007 rowspan="3" style="text-align: right;" | April 2009
Light
KDE CE Cassandra 3.0 Kubuntu 7.10 KDE 2008-03-03 3 March 2008


rowspan=6 5 Elyssa Main Daryna 4.0 Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron) GNOME 2008-06-08 8 June 2008 rowspan=6 style="text-align: center;" style="background:#9F9;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-yes"|Yes April 2011
Light
x64 Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron) 2008-10-18 18 October 2008


KDE CE Daryna 4.0 Kubuntu 8.04 KDE 2008-09-15 15 September 2008


Xfce CE Xubuntu 8.04 Xfce 2008-09-08 8 September 2008


Fluxbox CE Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron) Fluxbox 2008-10-21 21 October 2008


rowspan=6 6 Felicia Main Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) GNOME 2008-12-15 15 December 2008 rowspan="6" style="background:#F99;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No April 2010
Universal (Light)
x64 2009-02-06 6 February 2009


KDE CE Elyssa 5 Kubuntu 8.10 KDE 2009-04-08 8 April 2009


Xfce CE Xubuntu 8.10 Xubuntu 8.10 Xfce 2009-02-24 24 February 2009


Fluxbox CE Ubuntu 8.10 Fluxbox 2009-04-07 7 April 2009


rowspan=5 7 Gloria Main Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope) GNOME 2009-05-26 26 May 2009 rowspan=5 style="background:#F99;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No October 2010
Universal (Light)
x64 2009-06-24 24 June 2009


KDE CE Kubuntu 9.04 KDE 2009-08-03 3 August 2009


Xfce CE Xubuntu 9.04 Xfce 2009-09-13 13 September 2009


rowspan=8 8 Helena Main Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) GNOME 2009-11-28 28 November 2009 rowspan=8 style="background:#F99;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No April 2011
Universal (Light)
Gnome x64 2009-12-14 14 December 2009


KDE Kubuntu 9.10 KDE 2010-02-06 6 February 2010


KDE x64 2010-02-12 12 February 2010


Fluxbox Helena Main Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) Fluxbox
Xfce Xubuntu 9.10 Xfce 2010-03-31 31 March 2010


LXDE Helena Main Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) LXDE
rowspan=7 9 Isadora Main Ubuntu 10.04 LTS (Lucid Lynx) GNOME 2010-05-18 18 May 2010 rowspan=7 style="text-align: center;" style="background:#9F9;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-yes"|Yes April 2013
Gnome x64
LXDE Lubuntu 10.04 LTS LXDE 2010-07-18 18 July 2010


KDE Kubuntu 10.04 LTS KDE 2010-07-27 27 July 2010


KDE x64
Xfce Xubuntu 10.04 LTS Xfce 2010-08-24 24 August 2010


Fluxbox Lubuntu 10.04 LTS Fluxbox 2010-09-06 6 September 2010


rowspan=5 10 Julia Main Ubuntu 10.10 (Maverick Meerkat) GNOME 2010-11-12 12 November 2010 rowspan=5 style="background:#F99;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No April 2012
Gnome x64
KDE Kubuntu 10.10 KDE 2011-02-23 23 February 2011


KDE x64
LXDE Lubuntu 10.10 LXDE 2011-03-16 16 March 2011


rowspan=3 11 Katya Main Ubuntu 11.04 (Natty Narwhal) GNOME 2011-05-26 26 May 2011 rowspan=3 style="background:#F99;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No October 2012
Gnome x64
LXDE Lubuntu 11.04 LXDE 2011-08-16 16 August 2011


rowspan=3 12 Lisa Main Ubuntu 11.10 (Oneiric Ocelot) GNOME 3 with MGSE[lower-alpha 4] 2011-11-26 26 November 2011 rowspan=3 style="background:#F99;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No April 2013
KDE Kubuntu 11.10 KDE 2012-02-02 2 February 2012


LXDE Lubuntu 11.10 LXDE 2012-03-09 9 March 2012


rowspan=3 13 Maya Cinnamon
MATE
Xfce
KDE		 Ubuntu 12.04 LTS (Precise Pangolin) Cinnamon
MATE		 2012-05-23 23 May 2012 rowspan=3 style="text-align: center;" style="background:#9F9;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-yes"|Yes April 2017
Xubuntu 12.04 LTS Xfce 2012-07-21 21 July 2012


Kubuntu 12.04 LTS KDE 2012-07-23 23 July 2012


rowspan=3 14 Nadia Ubuntu 12.10 (Quantal Quetzal) Cinnamon
MATE		 2012-11-20 20 November 2012 rowspan=3 style="background:#F99;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No May 2014
Xubuntu 12.10 Xfce 2012-12-21 21 December 2012


Kubuntu 12.10 KDE 2012-12-23 23 December 2012


rowspan=3 15 Olivia Ubuntu 13.04 (Raring Ringtail) Cinnamon
MATE		 2013-05-29 29 May 2013

[89] || rowspan=3 style="background:#F99;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No || rowspan="3" style="text-align: right;" | January 2014

Xfce 2013-07-12 12 July 2013

[90]

KDE 2013-07-21 21 July 2013

[91]

rowspan=2 16 Petra Ubuntu 13.10 (Saucy Salamander) Cinnamon
MATE		 2013-11-30 30 November 2013[92][93] rowspan=2 style="background:#F99;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No July 2014
Xfce
KDE		 2013-12-22 22 December 2013


rowspan=3 17 Qiana Ubuntu 14.04 LTS (Trusty Tahr) Cinnamon
MATE		 2014-05-31 31 May 2014 rowspan=10 style="text-align: center;" style="background:#9F9;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-yes"|Yes April 2019
KDE 2014-06-23 23 June 2014


Xfce 2014-06-26 26 June 2014


rowspan=3 17.1 Rebecca Cinnamon
MATE		 2014-11-29 29 November 2014

[21]

KDE 2015-01-08 8 January 2015


Xfce 2015-01-11 11 January 2015


rowspan=2 17.2 Rafaela Cinnamon
MATE		 2015-06-30 30 June 2015


KDE
Xfce		 2015-08-07 7 August 2015


rowspan=2 17.3 Rosa Cinnamon
MATE		 4 December 2015
KDE
Xfce		 9 January 2016
rowspan=3 18 Sarah Ubuntu 16.04 LTS (Xenial Xerus) Cinnamon
MATE		 30 June 2016 Yes April 2021
KDE 9 September 2016
Xfce 2 August 2016
rowspan="2" 18.1 Serena Cinnamon
MATE		 4 January 2017
KDE
Xfce		 27 January 2017
rowspan="1" 18.2 Sonya Cinnamon
MATE
KDE
Xfce		 2 July 2017
rowspan="2" 18.3 Sylvia Cinnamon
MATE		 27 November 2017
KDE
Xfce		 15 December 2017
19 Tara[94] Cinnamon
MATE
Xfce		 Ubuntu 18.04 LTS (Bionic Beaver) Cinnamon
MATE
Xfce		 29 June 2018 Yes April 2023
19.1 Tessa[95] 19 December 2018
19.2 Tina 2 August 2019
19.3 Tricia 15 December 2019
20 Ulyana[96] Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (Focal Fossa)
Supports only amd64 (64-bit)		 2020-06-27 27 June 2020 rowspan="4" style="background:#9F9;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-yes"|Yes April 2025 2025


20.1 Ulyssa[97] 8 January 2021
20.2 Uma[98] 8 July 2021
20.3 Una[99] 7 January 2022
21 Vanessa[100] Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (Jammy Jellyfish)
Supports only amd64 (64-bit)		 31 July 2022 Yes April 2027
21.1 Vera[101] 20 December 2022
21.2 Victoria[102] 16 July 2023
21.3 Virginia[103] 12 January 2024
22 Wilma[104] Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat)
Supports only amd64 (64-bit)		 25 July 2024 Yes April 2029[105]
22.1 Xia[106] 16 January 2025
22.2 Zara[107] 4 September 2025
22.3 Zena[108] 13 January 2026
{{{2}}}
Linux Mint Debian Edition version history
Version Codename ISO edition[lower-alpha 5] Debian base Desktop environment Release date Support end
1 N/A 201403 Wheezy (Debian 7) Cinnamon
MATE
Supports both amd64 and i386 		2014-03-02 2 March 2014

[109]

2017-01-01 1 January 2017

[110]

rowspan=2 2 Betsy 201503 Jessie (Debian 8) 2015-04-10 10 April 2015

[111]

2019-01-01 1 January 2019

[112]

201701 2017-03-13 13 March 2017

[113]

3 Cindy 201808 Stretch (Debian 9)[114] Cinnamon
Supports both amd64 and i386 		2018-08-31 31 August 2018

[115]

2020-07-01 1 July 2020

[116]

4 Debbie N/A Buster (Debian 10[117][118] 2020-03-20 20 March 2020

[119]

2022-08-01 August 2022

[120]

5 Elsie[99] N/A Bullseye (Debian 11)[121] 2022-03-20 20 March 2022

[122]

2024-07-01 1 July 2024

[123]

6 Faye[124] N/A Bookworm (Debian 12) 2023-09-27 27 September 2023

[125]

1 January 2026[126]
7 Gigi[127] N/A Trixie (Debian 13) Cinnamon
Supports amd64 		14 October 2025[128] TBA
{{{2}}}

See also

References and notes

  1. ↑ von Eitzen, Christopher (October 21, 2013). "Q&A: Clement Lefèbvre: The man behind Linux Mint". https://www.networkworld.com/article/681362/software-q-a-clement-lefebvre-the-man-behind-linux-mint.html. 
  2. ↑ "Teams". http://www.linuxmint.com/teams.php. 
  3. ↑ "Official Documentation". https://www.linuxmint.com/documentation.php. 
  4. ↑ "Downloads". http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php. 
  5. ↑ "DistroWatch.com: Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD.". https://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major. 
  6. ↑ Vaughan-Nichols, Steven. "The 5 most popular Linux distributions" (in en). https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-5-most-popular-linux-distributions/. 
  7. ↑ "FAQ". https://www.linuxmint.com/faq.php. 
  8. ↑ Khamlichi, M.el; Roy s. "Linux Mint History and Development". https://www.unixmen.com/linux-mint-history-development/. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Install Linux Mint". https://linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/install.html. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Applets". https://cinnamon-spices.linuxmint.com/applets. 
  11. ↑ "Linux Mint 1.0 beta "Ada" - Main Edition". https://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=3. 
  12. ↑ "Happy birthday LinuxMint!". August 27, 2007. http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=56. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 "Linux Mint Releases". https://linuxmint.com/oldreleases.php. 
  14. ↑ "Ubuntu spinoff distro adds codecs, plugins, more". November 15, 2006. http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS5694152032.html. 
  15. ↑ "Linux Mint 2.0 "Barbara"". November 13, 2006. http://linuxmint.com/20061113.html. 
  16. ↑ "Full focus on Linux Mint 5 – The Linux Mint Blog" (in en-US). January 9, 2008. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=130. 
  17. ↑ "All Versions - Linux Mint". https://www.linuxmint.com/download_all.php. 
  18. ↑ Lefèbvre, Clement (May 27, 2015). "LMDE 1 will reach EOL on January 1st 2016". The Linux Mint Blog. http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2832. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Releases". Linux Mint. http://www.linuxmint.com/download_all.php. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Lefèbvre, Clement (April 10, 2015). "LMDE 2 "Betsy" Cinnamon released!". The Linux Mint Blog. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2808. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "The Linux Mint Blog » Monthly News – August 2014- Linux Mint 17.1 codenamed 'Rebecca'". blog.linuxmint.com. September 15, 2014. http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2688. Retrieved September 19, 2014. 
  22. ↑ "Linux Mint hit by malware infection on its website, forum after hack attack". Ars Technica. https://arstechnica.com/security/2016/02/linux-mint-hit-by-malware-infection-on-its-website-and-forum-after-hack-attack/. 
  23. ↑ "Linux Mint website hacked, ISO downloads replaced with backdoored operating system". IDG. http://www.pcworld.com/article/3035682/security/hackers-planted-a-backdoor-inside-a-compromised-version-of-linux-mint.html. 
  24. ↑ "Monthly News – February 2016". March 2016. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=3007. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Lefèbvre, Clement (May 31, 2014). "Linux Mint 17 "Qiana" Cinnamon released!". The Linux Mint Blog. http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2626. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Lefèbvre, Clement (May 31, 2014). "Linux Mint 17 "Qiana" MATE released!". The Linux Mint Blog. http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2627. "Manufacturers can pre-install Linux Mint on their computers using the OEM installation images." 
  27. ↑ Lefèbvre, Clement. "Monthly News - April 2016" (in en-us). The Linux Mint Blog. http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=3026. 
  28. ↑ Michael Larabel (March 31, 2020). "Linux Mint 20 Doing Away With 32-Bit Support". https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Linux-Mint-No-More-32-Bit. 
  29. ↑ Joey Sneddon (July 3, 2019). "Linux Mint Confirms It's Dropping 32-bit Releases". https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2019/07/linux-mint-drops-32-bit-iso. 
  30. ↑ Clem (July 2, 2019). "Monthly News - June 2019". https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=3766. 
  31. ↑ "FAQ". https://linuxmint.com/faq.php. 
  32. ↑ Vaughan-Nichols, Steven (January 6, 2012). "Fedora, Mint, openSUSE, Ubuntu: Which Linux desktop is for you?". https://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9222979/Fedora_Mint_openSUSE_Ubuntu_Which_Linux_desktop_is_for_you_?pageNumber=4. 
  33. ↑ "Linux Mint". http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=mint. 
  34. ↑ "MATE Desktop Environment localization". https://www.transifex.com/projects/p/MATE/. 
  35. ↑ "Cinnamon 1.4 released". http://cinnamon.linuxmint.com/?p=182. 
  36. ↑ "Linux Mint FSO". https://www.fsonews.com/why-linux-mint-is-an-excellent-gateway-to-the-linux-world/. 
  37. ↑ "Linux Mint repository". https://www.github.com/linuxmint. 
  38. ↑ Lefèbvre, Clement (January 2, 2012). "Introducing Cinnamon". http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=1910. 
  39. ↑ "Monthly News – October 2020". https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=3978. 
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 "Monthly News – October 2017" (in en-US). https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=3418. 
  41. ↑ "Monthly News – July 2017" (in en-US). https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=3322. 
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 "New features in Linux Mint 18.3 Cinnamon". https://www.linuxmint.com/rel_sylvia_cinnamon_whatsnew.php. 
  43. ↑ "Download LMDE". linuxmint.com. https://www.linuxmint.com/download_lmde.php. Retrieved May 10, 2016. 
  44. ↑ "Linux Mint 19 "Tara" Xfce released! – The Linux Mint Blog". Blog.linuxmint.com. June 29, 2018. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=3599. Retrieved March 15, 2022. 
  45. ↑ "Choose the right edition — Linux Mint Installation Guide documentation". https://linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/choose.html. 
  46. ↑ "Edge ISO Images". https://linuxmint-user-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/edge.html. 
  47. ↑ "Monthly News - March 2024". April 1, 2024. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4660. 
  48. ↑ "LMDE Information". Linux Mint. http://www.linuxmint.com/download_lmde.php. 
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 49.2 Lefèbvre, Clement (March 2, 2014). "Linux Mint Debian 201403 released!". The Linux Mint Blog. http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2577. 
  50. ↑ Smith, Jesse (March 24, 2014). "Linux Mint Debian Edition 201403". http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20140324#feature. 
  51. ↑ "Upgrade from LMDE 1 to LMDE 2". Linux Mint Community. http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/2013. 
  52. ↑ Lefèbvre, Clement (April 10, 2015). "LMDE 2 "Betsy" Cinnamon released!" (in en). http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2808. 
  53. ↑ Lefèbvre, Clement (April 10, 2015). "LMDE 2 'Betsy' Cinnamon released!" (in en). http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2808#comment-116426. 
  54. ↑ Lefèbvre, Clement (May 7, 2015). "Monthly News – April 2015" (in en). http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2825#comment-117169. 
  55. ↑ "LMDE 3 'Cindy' Cinnamon – BETA Release". https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=3629. 
  56. ↑ "LMDE 3 'Cindy' Cinnamon released!" (in en-US). https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=3633. 
  57. ↑ "LMDE 7 "Gigi" – BETA Release". September 18, 2025. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4893. 
  58. ↑ "Donations". https://www.linuxmint.com/donors.php. 
  59. ↑ "Sponsors". https://www.linuxmint.com/sponsors.php. 
  60. ↑ "Partners". https://linuxmint.com/partners.php. 
  61. ↑ "Idea module". 2010. http://community.linuxmint.com/idea. 
  62. ↑ "Linux Mint on Launchpad". 2010. https://launchpad.net/linuxmint. 
  63. ↑ "Technology — Linux Mint Developer Guide documentation". https://linuxmint-developer-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/technology.html. 
  64. ↑ "Requirements — Linux Mint Developer Guide documentation". Linux Mint. 2017. https://linuxmint-developer-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/requirements.html#knowing-how-to-use-git. 
  65. ↑ Jelic, Ivan (June 10, 2009). "Linux Mint 7 'Gloria'". https://lwn.net/Articles/335915/.  Announcements and updates are posted on the Linux Mint blog."News from the Mint Team". http://blog.linuxmint.com/. 
  66. ↑ Lefèbvre, Clement (May 31, 2014). "Linux Mint 17 'Qiana' Cinnamon released!". The Linux Mint Blog. http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2626. 
  67. ↑ "Mint 17 is the perfect place for Linux-ers to wait out Ubuntu uncertainty". Ars Technica. June 24, 2014. https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/06/mint-17-the-perfect-place-for-linux-ers-to-wait-out-ubuntu-uncertainty/. 
  68. ↑ Lefèbvre, Clement (November 29, 2014). "Linux Mint 17.1 'Rebecca' Cinnamon released!". The Linux Mint Blog. http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2714. 
  69. ↑ "XApps — Linux Mint Developer Guide documentation". https://linuxmint-developer-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/xapps.html. 
  70. ↑ "New features in Linux Mint 18 Cinnamon". https://www.linuxmint.com/rel_sarah_cinnamon_whatsnew.php. 
  71. ↑ Stahie, Silviu (January 28, 2016). "Linux Mint Is Getting Its Own Apps Starting with the 18.x Branch". https://news.softpedia.com/news/linux-mint-is-getting-its-own-apps-starting-with-the-18-x-branch-499564.shtml. 
  72. ↑ Nestor, Marius (February 3, 2016). "Linux Mint Devs Showcase the First Two X-Apps for Linux Mint 18 "Sarah"". https://news.softpedia.com/news/linux-mint-devs-showcase-the-first-two-x-apps-for-linux-mint-18-sarah-499863.shtml. 
  73. ↑ "Monthly News – April 2024" (in en). April 30, 2024. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4675. 
  74. ↑ Noyes, Katherine. "Which Linux Distro Is Fairest of Them All? Ubuntu, Survey Says". PCWorld. https://www.pcworld.com/article/254516/which_linux_distro_is_fairest_of_them_all_ubuntu_survey_says.html. 
  75. ↑ "Best distro 2012". http://www.linuxformat.com/archives?issue=162. 
  76. ↑ Hayward, David (May 12, 2013). "How Mint became one of the most popular Linux distros". https://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/how-mighty-mint-became-one-of-the-most-popular-linux-distros-1146584. 
  77. ↑ Zwetsloot, Rob (July 2013). "The Ultimate Linux Mint". Linux User and Developer (Bournemouth, United Kingdom: Imagine Publishing) (128): pp. 20–23. http://www.linuxuser.co.uk/features/linux-mint-15-interview-html5-arch-and-the-mintbox. 
  78. ↑ Gayan (July 7, 2016). "Linux Mint 18 Cinnamon Review: They Did it Again!". http://www.hecticgeek.com/2016/07/linux-mint-18-review/. 
  79. ↑ 79.0 79.1 Gilbertson, Scott (August 4, 2016). "Mint 18 review: "Just works" Linux doesn't get any better than this". https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/08/mint-18-review-just-works-linux-doesnt-get-any-better-than-this/. 
  80. ↑ Hall, Christine (July 25, 2016). "Our First Look at Linux Mint 18 Cinnamon". http://fossforce.com/2016/07/first-look-linux-mint-18-cinnamon/. 
  81. ↑ Newell, Gary (July 17, 2016). "An Everyday Linux User Review Of Linux Mint 18 - Back To Its Very Best". http://www.everydaylinuxuser.com/2016/07/an-everyday-linux-user-review-of-linux.html. 
  82. ↑ Dedoimedo (July 6, 2016). "Mint 18 - Forgetting Sarah Linux". http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/linux-mint-sarah.html. 
  83. ↑ DarkDuck (July 12, 2016). "Linux Mint 18 Cinnamon: pity, pity, pity". http://linuxblog.darkduck.com/2016/07/linux-mint-18-cinnamon-pity-pity-pity.html. 
  84. ↑ Vaughan-Nichols, Steven J. (July 2, 2018). "The Linux Mint desktop continues to lead the rest". https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-linux-mint-desktop-continues-to-lead-the-rest/. 
  85. ↑ Vaughan-Nichols, Steven J. (December 20, 2018). "Linux Mint 19.1: The better-than-ever Linux desktop". https://www.zdnet.com/article/linux-mint-19-1-the-better-than-ever-linux-desktop/. 
  86. ↑ Vaughan-Nichols, Steven J. (August 2, 2019). "New long-term support version of Linux Mint desktop released". https://www.zdnet.com/article/new-long-term-support-version-of-linux-mint-desktop-released/. 
  87. ↑ "I've tried a zillion desktop distros - it doesn't get any better than Linux Mint 22" (in en). https://www.zdnet.com/article/ive-tried-a-zillion-desktop-distros-it-doesnt-get-any-better-than-linux-mint-22/. 
  88. ↑ Proven, Liam (July 29, 2024). "Linux Mint 22 'Wilma' still the Bedrock choice for moving off Windows". The Register. https://www.theregister.com/2024/07/29/linus_mint_22_wilma/. 
  89. ↑ "The Linux Mint Blog » Blog Archive » Linux Mint 15 "Olivia" released!". blog.linuxmint.com. May 29, 2013. http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2366. Retrieved June 3, 2013. 
  90. ↑ Clem (July 12, 2013). "Linux Mint 15 "Olivia" Xfce released!". https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2391. 
  91. ↑ Clem (July 21, 2013). "Linux Mint 15 "Olivia" KDE released!". https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2422. 
  92. ↑ "The Linux Mint Blog » Blog Archive » Linux Mint 16 "Petra" Cinnamon released!". blog.linuxmint.com. November 30, 2013. http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2489. Retrieved November 30, 2013. 
  93. ↑ "The Linux Mint Blog » Blog Archive » Linux Mint 16 "Petra" MATE released!". blog.linuxmint.com. November 30, 2013. http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2493. Retrieved November 30, 2013. 
  94. ↑ "Linux Mint 19 codenamed "Tara"". Linux Mint. January 3, 2018. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=3494. 
  95. ↑ Clem (September 7, 2018). "Linux Mint 19.1 codenamed 'Tessa'". Linux Mint. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=3642. 
  96. ↑ "Linux Mint Monthly News – April 2020". https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=3890. 
  97. ↑ "Linux Mint Monthly News – September 2020". https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=3969. 
  98. ↑ "Linux Mint Monthly News – May 2021". May 31, 2021. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4072. 
  99. ↑ 99.0 99.1 "Monthly News – September 2021". October 2021. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4149. 
  100. ↑ "Monthly News – March 2022". April 6, 2022. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4293. 
  101. ↑ Clem (September 30, 2022). "Monthly News – September 2022 – The Linux Mint Blog" (in en-US). https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4408. 
  102. ↑ "Monthly News – January 2023 – The Linux Mint Blog" (in en-US). January 31, 2023. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4470. 
  103. ↑ "Linux Mint 21.3 "Virginia" released! – The Linux Mint Blog" (in en-US). January 12, 2024. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4624. 
  104. ↑ "Monthly News – January 2024 – The Linux Mint Blog" (in en-US). January 31, 2024. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4639. 
  105. ↑ "Linux Mint 22 'Wilma' – BETA Release". July 1, 2024. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4725. 
  106. ↑ "Linux Mint 22.1 "Xia" released!". January 16, 2025. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4793. 
  107. ↑ Clem (September 4, 2025). "Linux Mint 22.2 "Zara" released!". https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4881. 
  108. ↑ "Monthly News – November 2025". https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4968. 
  109. ↑ Clem (March 2, 2014). "Linux Mint Debian 201403 released!". Linux Mint. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2577. 
  110. ↑ Clem (May 27, 2015). "LMDE 1 will reach EOL on January 1st 2017". Linux Mint. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2832. 
  111. ↑ Clem (April 10, 2015). "LMDE 2 "Betsy" MATE released!". Linux Mint. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2809. 
  112. ↑ Clem (August 31, 2018). "LMDE 3 "Cindy" Cinnamon released!, comment at 3:37 pm". Linux Mint. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=3633#comment-145237. 
  113. ↑ Clem (March 13, 2017). "New ISO images for LMDE 2 "Betsy"". Linux Mint. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=3232. 
  114. ↑ "Release Notes for LMDE 3". Linux Mint. https://linuxmint.com/rel_cindy.php. 
  115. ↑ Clem (August 31, 2018). "LMDE 3 "Cindy" Cinnamon released!". Linux Mint. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=3633. 
  116. ↑ Clem (March 31, 2020). "Monthly News – March 2020". Linux Mint. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=3887. "LMDE 3 will reach EOL (End-Of-Life) on July 1st 2020." 
  117. ↑ "Linux Mint Releases". Linux Mint. https://linuxmint.com/download_all.php. 
  118. ↑ "LMDE 4 "Debbie" released!" (in en-US). https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=3867. 
  119. ↑ Clem (March 20, 2020). "LMDE 4 "Debbie" released!". Linux Mint. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=3867. 
  120. ↑ "Monthly News – March 2022". April 6, 2022. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4293. 
  121. ↑ "Monthly News – September 2021" (in en-US). https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4149. 
  122. ↑ "LMDE 5 "Elsie" released! – The Linux Mint Blog" (in en-US). March 20, 2022. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4287. 
  123. ↑ "Monthly News – September 2023 – The Linux Mint Blog" (in en-US). October 4, 2023. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4586. 
  124. ↑ "faye - Linux Mint". http://packages.linuxmint.com/list.php?release=faye. 
  125. ↑ "LMDE 6 "Faye" released! – The Linux Mint Blog" (in en-US). September 27, 2023. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4570. 
  126. ↑ "Monthly News – October 2025". November 6, 2025. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4936. 
  127. ↑ "Monthly News – April 2025 – The Linux Mint Blog". May 8, 2025. https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4840. 
  128. ↑ Clem. "LMDE 7 "Gigi" released!" (in en-US). https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4924. 
  1. ↑ The desktop environments Linux Mint offers has changed throughout releases of Linux Mint:
  2. ↑ the OEM version was for manufacturers to use to pre-install Linux Mint onto devices.[25][26] This functionality is now available in the Live-ISO boot menu
  3. ↑ Also called 'Light' version.
    This version was for magazines, companies, and distributors in the United States, Japan, and countries where the legislation allows patents to apply to software and distribution of restricted technologies may require the acquisition of third-party licences.[13][25][26]
    Users now have the option of whether or not to install multimedia codecs, now downloaded from the internet, additionally, multimedia codecs can also be installed via a link on the Mint Welcome Screen any time after installation. [citation needed]
  4. ↑ MGSE: Mint GNOME 3 Shell Extensions (providing a desktop environment similar to GNOME 2)
  5. ↑ ISO Edition: Versions before LMDE 4 included a datecode in the bootable ISO image's filename. LMDE 2 images were issued twice; the second issue included updates to LMDE 2 up to that point.

Further reading

  • Montoro, Arturo Fernandez (2012). Linux Mint System Administrator's Beginner's Guide. Birmingham, UK: Packt Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84951-960-1. 



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