After a slight delay due to the holidays, the The Linux Mint team has finally revealed el new version release de Linux Mint 22.3, codenamed “Zena”.
This version, based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat) and With guaranteed support until 2029, it arrives loaded with visual and functional improvements that consolidate its position as one of the most user-friendly and robust Linux distributions.
Zena's Heart: Cinnamon 6.6
The undisputed star of this version is Cinnamon 6.6, the flagship desktop environment of the distribution. It has received a redesign of its applications menu, that now organizes the software more efficiently and allows you to switch between a simple icon aesthetic or full color.
Beyond the visual aspects, the technical work has focused on modernizing the entry management; Virtual and physical keyboards respond with lower latencyAnd support for Wayland, although still experimental, has matured enough to better handle multi-monitor setups and high-pixel-density displays, preparing for the future Linux graphics standard.
Improvements to the "XApps" and system tools
Within the ecosystem of native applications, known as XApps, the file manager Nemo introduces a new feature long demanded, which equates its usefulness to that of proprietary systems: the ability to pause and resume file transfersThis feature is essential for users who move large volumes of data and need to temporarily free up disk resources without canceling the operation. In addition, compatibility with SMB, FTP, and SSH has been improved.
On the other hand, the local transfer tool WArpinator has evolved to include IPv6 support and integrated text chat.or, facilitating communication between teams during file exchange.
In addition, the IPTV player now allows you to hide the cursor in full screen and improves key forwarding to the MPV backend.
New tools and improvements
- Night Light: It now includes an "Always On" option for users who prefer a permanently warm color temperature to reduce eye strain.
- Symbolic XApp Icons (XSI): New monochromatic icons that dynamically adapt to light and dark themes, remaining sharp at any resolution.
- Update Manager: It will now display a clear warning icon in the system tray if an update requires a restart.
- Mintbackup: The "Include all" button has been added to ensure that hidden files and folders are not left out of the backup.
Technical aspects and Kernel
This version is powered by the Linux Kernel 6.14 (HWE – Hardware Enablement). This kernel is designed to offer support for the latest processors and hardware (especially newer AMD chips), but it does come with certain caveats for older or virtualized hardware.
Users virtualizing their system in VirtualBox should configure the graphics driver as VMSVGA with 128 MB of memory and disable 3D acceleration to avoid black screens or crashes in GTK4 applications. Additionally, those with older NVIDIA graphics cards that rely on the 470 series drivers may encounter incompatibilities with this modern kernel; in these cases, it is recommended to upgrade to version 22.1 or avoid updating the kernel altogether.
Finally, The audio system has completed its transition to Pipewire. While this modernizes sound management, some users may experience dropouts or configuration issues. For these scenarios, the developers maintain the option to revert to the PulseAudio server via the terminal.
How to download or update?
For new users, the ISO images are now available and the Cinnamon, MATE or Xfce editions can be downloaded from the Linux Mint website.
For current users (Mint 22.x)
If you are already on Linux Mint 22, 22.1 or 22.2, the upgrade is simple and safe:
- Open the Update Manager.
- Click the "Refresh" button to search for new versions.
- Go to the Edit menu > Upgrade to Linux Mint 22.3 'Zena'.
- Follow the instructions on the screen.
Note: Always perform a backup with Timeshift before a major system upgrade.