Linux Mint 22.1 nears completion as final testing phase commences

We’re just a few days – or even hours – away from the final release of Linux Mint 22.1 “Xia,” the latest addition to the Linux distro lineup. This version had a Beta release back in December, but development was put on hold during the holiday season. Now, as we kick off January 2025, the system image is undergoing final tests and will soon be available to everyone.

Currently, these tests are being conducted on the Cinnamon, MATE, and Xfce versions, with the stable final release expected shortly. Eventually, these versions will make their way to the system mirrors, and the development team will confirm the launch a few days later.

While Linux Mint 22.1 may be considered only a slight upgrade from version 22, it comes with some interesting changes and improvements worth noting. It features a new set of themes and light/dark modes, adopts the new Cinnamon 6.4, and brings various interface enhancements, in addition to the traditional performance and stability improvements.

It’s important to remember that Linux Mint 22, 22.1, 22.2, and 22.3 are all based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and will receive updates until at least 2029. Moreover, Linux Mint has always been keen on making small changes to avoid disrupting users’ workflow or requiring constant adaptation, which is definitely a positive aspect.

Linux Mint is widely regarded as an excellent Linux distro for Windows users looking for a simple, user-friendly environment with all the necessary applications, without the need for constant tinkering with settings.

As mentioned earlier, the new version should start becoming available to users in the next few days, potentially arriving as a direct system update for active users.