Page updated on . Official sources consulted on that date.
Linux Mint: choose an edition and prepare a trial
Linux Mint provides a Linux desktop for everyday use. Its main branch is based on Ubuntu and comes with Cinnamon, MATE or Xfce. LMDE is a separate branch based on Debian: choosing a desktop and choosing the system base are two different questions.
Getting started: if you are unsure which desktop to choose, the official guide suggests trying Cinnamon. Then check your applications and hardware before replacing your current system. A comfortable interface does not guarantee compatibility with all your devices.
Available release and maintenance period
As of 4 October 2026, the official download page offers Linux Mint 22.3 “Zena”. Its release notes specify an Ubuntu 24.04 base and maintenance until April 2029. Consult those pages when downloading: this page describes the situation checked on its update date.
A newer release is not always the answer to a hardware problem. The 22.3 notes mention kernel-related issues with VirtualBox and some older NVIDIA cards using the 470 driver. If affected, follow the project's instructions for your configuration; changing desktops alone does not necessarily change the driver or kernel.
Cinnamon, MATE or Xfce: what changes?
These Ubuntu-based editions provide different interfaces and desktop tools. The project's edition selection guide explains their approaches.
| Edition | Approach | What to check during a trial |
|---|---|---|
| Cinnamon | Developed mainly by and for Linux Mint, with many customisation features. | Menus, settings, monitor behaviour and comfort during your usual tasks. |
| MATE | A traditional interface continuing GNOME 2. | The arrangement of panels, windows and shortcuts. |
| Xfce | The desktop the project describes as the lightest of these three. | Responsiveness with your applications open and the desktop features you need. |
“Lighter” is not a promise for every old computer. Mainline Mint releases have provided no 32-bit images since Mint 20. Check your processor's architecture; choosing Xfce does not make a 64-bit image compatible with a 32-bit processor.
LMDE: Linux Mint with a Debian base
LMDE 7 “Gigi” stands for Linux Mint Debian Edition. It aims for a similar Mint experience without depending on Ubuntu; its package base comes from Debian. The official release table lists Cinnamon and a Debian Trixie base.
Do not confuse it with the Xfce or MATE editions of Mint 22.3. Before following installation or troubleshooting instructions, check the branch and release they cover. Our Ubuntu-based (in French) and Debian-based (in French) family pages explain this distinction.
Useful checks before installation
For music and video: see our VLC installation tutorial, including updates. For documents and spreadsheets, see our LibreOffice tutorial.
- Software: list essential applications and check Linux availability, shared file formats and the features you use. The software section of our selection guide covers office work, creative tasks and games.
- Hardware: test Wi-Fi, sound, monitors, the keyboard and required devices from a USB drive. The official guide explains how to boot Linux Mint. A virtual-machine trial alone cannot validate the real computer's Wi-Fi or graphics card.
- Data: keep an independent backup before changing partitions. Read the installation guide before choosing an erase-disk or dual-boot option.
After installation, Driver Manager lets you review additional drivers offered for your hardware. Do not download an arbitrary driver for an unidentified problem.
Updates and backups: complementary protection
Set aside time to install updates and keep backups you know how to retrieve. The project describes configuring Timeshift system snapshots to restore an earlier system state after a problem.
A Timeshift snapshot does not replace a backup of your documents. Its official documentation explains that personal files are excluded by default: back up documents, photographs and other important data separately.
Prepare your Linux Mint download Review the selection criteria