Linux Mint began in 2006 as a user-friendly Ubuntu-based desktop distribution. It later standardized on Ubuntu LTS bases and delivers point releases with long support windows.
- 2006: Linux Mint 1.0 “Ada” is released (August 27).
- 2010: Linux Mint 9 “Isadora” introduces improved hardware support and multimedia codecs.
- 2013: Linux Mint 17 “Qiana” begins the LTS-based series strategy with extended support.
- 2014: Cinnamon desktop environment becomes the flagship Mint edition.
- 2018: Linux Mint 19 “Tara” continues the LTS-based series approach with Ubuntu 18.04 base.
- 2020: Linux Mint 20 “Ulyana” based on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS with improved tooling.
- 2022: Linux Mint 21 “Vanessa” starts the 21.x series based on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS.
- 2024: Linux Mint 22 “Wilma” starts the 22.x series based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.
- 2025: Linux Mint 22.1 “Xia”, 22.2 “Zara”, and LMDE 7 “Gigi” released with continued improvements.
- 2026: Linux Mint 22.3 “Zena” released (January 11, 2026) as the latest point release in the 22.x series.
Linux Mint remains one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions:
- Current Release: Linux Mint 22.3 “Zena” (January 11, 2026)
- Base: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat)
- Desktop Editions: Cinnamon (flagship), MATE, Xfce
- LMDE: LMDE 7 “Gigi” (October 14, 2025, Debian 12 base)
- Release Model: Point releases within LTS series (~6-8 months between updates)
- Support Duration: Each LTS series supported until the next major series release
- Active Series:
- Linux Mint 22.x (22, 22.1, 22.2, 22.3) - supported until April 2029
- Linux Mint 21.x (21, 21.1, 21.2, 21.3) - supported until April 2027
- Key Tools: Update Manager, Software Manager, Driver Manager, Timeshift, Mint Tools
| Version |
Codename |
Release Date |
Base |
End of Support |
| 22.3 |
Zena |
2026-01-11 |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS |
2029-04-30 |
| 22.2 |
Zara |
2025-09-04 |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS |
2029-04-30 |
| 22.1 |
Xia |
2025-01-16 |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS |
2029-04-30 |
| 22 |
Wilma |
2024-07-25 |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS |
2029-04-30 |
| 21.3 |
Virginia |
2024-01-12 |
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS |
2027-04-30 |
| LMDE 7 |
Gigi |
2025-10-14 |
Debian 12 |
Next LMDE release |
- 2024-2026: Linux Mint 22.x series established with Ubuntu 24.04 LTS base; four point releases (22, 22.1, 22.2, 22.3)
- Desktop Improvements: Cinnamon 6.x desktop receives regular updates with modern features; MATE 1.28 and Xfce 4.20 updates
- Tooling: Enhanced Update Manager with improved notifications; improved Timeshift integration; better hardware detection
- Flatpak Support: Continued emphasis on Flatpak for application distribution; improved Software Manager integration
- Windows Migration: Improved tools and documentation for users transitioning from Windows
- LMDE 7: LMDE 7 “Gigi” released October 2025 based on Debian 12 Bookworm
- Community Growth: Active forums, comprehensive documentation, regular blog updates; strong user community
¶ Main Editions (Ubuntu-Based)
| Series |
Base Ubuntu |
Releases |
Support Period |
| 22.x |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS |
22, 22.1, 22.2, 22.3 |
2024-2029 |
| 21.x |
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS |
21, 21.1, 21.2, 21.3 |
2022-2027 |
| 20.x |
Ubuntu 20.04 LTS |
20, 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 |
2020-2025 |
| 19.x |
Ubuntu 18.04 LTS |
19, 19.1, 19.2, 19.3 |
2018-2023 |
| 18.x |
Ubuntu 16.04 LTS |
18, 18.1, 18.2, 18.3 |
2016-2021 |
| 17.x |
Ubuntu 14.04 LTS |
17, 17.1, 17.2, 17.3 |
2014-2019 |
| Version |
Codename |
Release Date |
Base |
Notes |
| LMDE 7 |
Gigi |
2025-10-14 |
Debian 12 |
Current release |
| LMDE 6 |
Faye |
2023-09-27 |
Debian 12 |
EOL |
| LMDE 5 |
Elsie |
2022-03-20 |
Debian 11 |
EOL |
| LMDE 4 |
Debbie |
2020-03-20 |
Debian 10 |
EOL |
| LMDE 3 |
Cindy |
2018-08-20 |
Debian 9 |
EOL |
| LMDE 2 |
Betsy |
2015-03-20 |
Debian 8 |
EOL |
| LMDE 1 |
Maya |
2012-09-06 |
Debian 7 |
EOL |
| Edition |
Last Version |
Notes |
| KDE |
18.3 “Sylvia” |
Last KDE edition (2017) |
| 32-bit |
19.3 “Tricia” |
Last 32-bit non-LMDE release (2019) |
| GNOME |
18.3 “Sylvia” |
Replaced by Cinnamon as flagship |
| LXDE |
18.3 “Sylvia” |
Discontinued in favor of Xfce |
Browse Linux Mint history by year:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_Mint
- https://www.linuxmint.com/
- https://blog.linuxmint.com/
- https://endoflife.date/linuxmint
- https://github.com/linuxmint