Linux Mint is a desktop-focused Linux distribution based on Ubuntu. It emphasizes a traditional desktop experience, easy system management, and long-term stability through LTS-based releases.
- Desktop-first: Cinnamon (default), MATE, and Xfce editions.
- LTS-based stability: Major releases are based on Ubuntu LTS for long support cycles.
- User-friendly tools: Update Manager, Software Manager, Driver Manager, Timeshift.
- Rolling updates within a series: Point releases provide improvements without a full reinstall.
- Community-driven: Active forums and community documentation.
- Current Stable (LTS): Linux Mint 22.3 “Zena” (released 2026-01-11).
- Previous Stable (LTS): Linux Mint 22.2 “Zara” (released 2025-09-04).
- Current LTS series: Linux Mint 22.x (Ubuntu 24.04 LTS base).
- LMDE (Debian Edition): LMDE 7 “Gigi” (released 2025-10-14, Debian 12 base).
- Release Cadence: Point releases approximately every 6-8 months within an LTS series.
- Desktop Editions: Cinnamon (flagship), MATE, and Xfce editions available for each release.
- Support Duration: Each LTS series receives updates until the next major series release.
| Version |
Codename |
Release Date |
Base |
End of Support |
| Linux Mint 22.3 |
Zena |
2026-01-11 |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS |
2029-04-30 |
| Linux Mint 22.2 |
Zara |
2025-09-04 |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS |
2029-04-30 |
| Linux Mint 22.1 |
Xia |
2025-01-16 |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS |
2029-04-30 |
| Linux Mint 22 |
Wilma |
2024-07-25 |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS |
2029-04-30 |
| Linux Mint 21.3 |
Virginia |
2024-01-12 |
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS |
2027-04-30 |
| LMDE 7 |
Gigi |
2025-10-14 |
Debian 12 |
Next LMDE release |
| Version |
Codename |
Release Date |
Base |
End of Support |
Release Info |
| Linux Mint 22.3 |
Zena |
2026-01-11 |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS |
2029-04-30 |
https://www.linuxmint.com/ |
| Linux Mint 22.2 |
Zara |
2025-09-04 |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS |
2029-04-30 |
https://www.linuxmint.com/ |
| Linux Mint 22.1 |
Xia |
2025-01-16 |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS |
2029-04-30 |
https://www.linuxmint.com/ |
| Linux Mint 22 |
Wilma |
2024-07-25 |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS |
2029-04-30 |
https://www.linuxmint.com/ |
| Linux Mint 21.3 |
Virginia |
2024-01-12 |
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS |
2027-04-30 |
https://www.linuxmint.com/ |
| Linux Mint 21.2 |
Victoria |
2023-07-16 |
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS |
2027-04-30 |
https://www.linuxmint.com/ |
| Linux Mint 21.1 |
Vera |
2022-12-20 |
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS |
2027-04-30 |
https://www.linuxmint.com/ |
| Linux Mint 21 |
Vanessa |
2022-07-31 |
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS |
2027-04-30 |
https://www.linuxmint.com/ |
| Linux Mint 20.3 |
Una |
2022-01-07 |
Ubuntu 20.04 LTS |
2025-04-30 |
https://www.linuxmint.com/ |
| Linux Mint 20.2 |
Uma |
2021-07-08 |
Ubuntu 20.04 LTS |
2025-04-30 |
https://www.linuxmint.com/ |
| Linux Mint 20.1 |
Ulyssa |
2021-01-08 |
Ubuntu 20.04 LTS |
2025-04-30 |
https://www.linuxmint.com/ |
| Linux Mint 20 |
Ulyana |
2020-06-27 |
Ubuntu 20.04 LTS |
2025-04-30 |
https://www.linuxmint.com/ |
Support Status (2026): Linux Mint 22.x series (active LTS, based on Ubuntu 24.04); Linux Mint 21.x series (supported until April 2027, based on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS); Linux Mint 20.x series (end of life April 2025).
Linux Mint 22.3 “Zena” is the latest point release in the 22.x series, released on January 11, 2026.
| Feature |
Description |
| Codename |
Zena |
| Release Date |
January 11, 2026 |
| Base |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat) |
| Desktop |
Cinnamon 6.8 / MATE 1.28 / Xfce 4.20 |
| Kernel |
Linux 6.8+ (HWE available) |
| End of Support |
April 30, 2029 |
| Component |
Version |
| Desktop Environment |
Cinnamon 6.8 (flagship), MATE 1.28, Xfce 4.20 |
| Linux Kernel |
6.8+ (6.11+ HWE available) |
| Python |
3.12+ |
| GCC |
13.x |
| glibc |
2.39 |
| X.Org |
21.1+ |
| PipeWire |
1.0+ |
- Cinnamon 6.8: Enhanced desktop features and performance improvements
- Update Manager: Improved notification system and better dependency handling
- Timeshift: Enhanced integration for automated system snapshots
- Hardware Support: Latest WiFi and graphics drivers
- Software Manager: Improved Flatpak handling and application discovery
- Security: Updated security features and system hardening
- Accessibility: Improved accessibility features and internationalization
LMDE is based on Debian Stable instead of Ubuntu, providing an alternative for users who prefer Debian.
| Version |
Codename |
Release Date |
Base |
End of Support |
| LMDE 7 |
Gigi |
2025-10-14 |
Debian 12 (Bookworm) |
Next LMDE release |
- Debian 12 Base: Stable Debian Bookworm foundation
- Cinnamon 6.x: Latest Cinnamon desktop environment
- Long Support: Supported until next LMDE release
- Independence: Not tied to Ubuntu release cycle
- Rolling within Debian: Benefits from Debian stable updates
| Aspect |
Ubuntu-Based |
LMDE |
| Base |
Ubuntu LTS |
Debian Stable |
| Release Cycle |
~2 years (major), 6-8 months (point) |
~2-3 years |
| Package Format |
.deb (Ubuntu repos + Mint repos) |
.deb (Debian repos + Mint repos) |
| Support |
Until next major series |
Until next LMDE release |
| Use Case |
General desktop users |
Debian purists, Ubuntu-independent users |
| Edition |
Desktop Environment |
Description |
| Cinnamon |
Cinnamon |
Flagship edition; modern, feature-rich desktop |
| MATE |
MATE |
Traditional GNOME 2 fork; lightweight |
| Xfce |
Xfce |
Lightweight desktop; low resource usage |
| Component |
Minimum |
Recommended |
| CPU |
1 GHz dual-core |
2 GHz quad-core |
| RAM |
2 GB |
4 GB+ |
| Storage |
20 GB |
50 GB+ |
| Display |
1024x768 |
1920x1080+ |
| Tool |
Purpose |
| Update Manager |
System updates with kernel management |
| Software Manager |
Application installation (APT + Flatpak) |
| Driver Manager |
Proprietary driver installation |
| Timeshift |
System snapshot and restore |
| MintInstall |
Software installation frontend |
| MintUpdate |
Update management |
| MintBackup |
Backup and restore user data |
| MintStick |
Create bootable USB drives |
| Hypnotix |
IPTV player |
| XApps |
Cross-desktop applications (xed, xreader, etc.) |
- Desktops and laptops: Designed for daily use with a familiar UI.
- Beginners: Smooth transition from Windows-like workflows.
- Stability-focused users: LTS releases with long support windows.