Linux Mint: Choose Cinnamon, MATE or Xfce and Install
Linux Mint 22.3 "Zena"
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Linux Mint is a free, open-source Linux distribution built on an Ubuntu base. The current release is Linux Mint 22.3 "Zena", a long-term support release supported until April 2029, offered in Cinnamon, MATE and Xfce editions.
Linux Mint feels familiar to anyone coming from Windows: a taskbar, a start menu and a desktop that works without much tweaking. Version 22.3 “Zena” is a long-term support release with updates until April 2029.
Which edition should you pick?
- Cinnamon: the most popular edition and the one the Mint team suggests when you are unsure.
- MATE: a classic desktop that uses fewer resources and can run faster on older computers.
- Xfce: a lightweight, very stable desktop that is easy on resources.
All current editions are 64-bit only. There is also LMDE 7, an edition based on Debian rather than Ubuntu, for those who prefer that base.
System requirements
The release announcement lists 2 GB of RAM (4 GB recommended), 20 GB of disk space (100 GB recommended) and a 1024×768 screen.
Verify the ISO
From the same mirror, download sha256sum.txt and sha256sum.txt.gpg. Compare the hash of your file (sha256sum -b yourfile.iso, or shasum -a 256 on macOS) with the value in sha256sum.txt, then confirm the signature with gpg --verify sha256sum.txt.gpg sha256sum.txt after importing the Linux Mint signing key listed in the official installation guide. If you already run Mint, right-click the ISO and choose Verify.
Create the USB and install
Write the ISO with Rufus on Windows, or keep it on a Ventoy stick with other installers. Boot the live session to test your hardware. Installing next to Windows works well, but back up first: partition changes cannot always be undone.
Pros
- Familiar layout for Windows users
- Supported until April 2029
- Three desktop editions, including two light ones
Cons
- 64-bit only
- No ARM images
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Linux Mint edition is best for an old laptop?
The Mint team describes MATE and Xfce as lighter on resources than Cinnamon, so either is a good choice for older hardware.
What is LMDE?
LMDE (Linux Mint Debian Edition) is a version of Linux Mint built on Debian instead of Ubuntu. LMDE 7 is the current one.
Linux MintOpen source
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