By FreePortal Team · Reviewed by FreePortal Editorial Team · Last updated October 2026

How to Download and Install Linux Mint Free Guide

A free, beginner-friendly Linux desktop that looks familiar, runs on modest hardware, and stays out of your way.

Is Linux Mint Free?

Yes. Linux Mint is free and open source, released under a mix of the GNU General Public License and other open-source licenses. There is no paid tier, no subscription, and no account required. It is funded by donations and by optional paid support from the community.

Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu (which itself is based on Debian), so it inherits a vast software ecosystem and shares Ubuntu's LTS release cadence. It does not include proprietary software by default, but offers optional codecs and drivers during and after installation.

Current release: Linux Mint 22.3 “Zena” (January 2026), based on Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS, supported until April 2029, shipping with Cinnamon 6.6.

System Requirements

Processor: 64-bit processor (the main edition is 64-bit only; 32-bit editions are no longer produced)
RAM: 2 GB minimum (4 GB+ recommended — Cinnamon likes breathing room)
Storage: 20 GB minimum (100 GB+ recommended for real use)
Graphics: Any GPU capable of 1024×768 resolution
Media: A 4 GB+ USB drive to create the installer
Note: Can be tested in a VM first via VirtualBox before touching your real disk

32-bit users: the main Linux Mint edition is 64-bit only, but LMDE 6 (Linux Mint Debian Edition) still offers a 32-bit build for older machines.

Which Edition Should You Choose?

Linux Mint ships in three editions, all built on the same core but with different desktop environments:

Cinnamon — the flagship edition. Modern, polished, and the most Windows-like of the three. Uses the most resources but is the recommended choice for almost everyone, especially newcomers. The current release ships Cinnamon 6.6, with a redesigned application menu and improved Wayland groundwork.
MATE — a continuation of the classic GNOME 2 desktop. Lighter than Cinnamon, familiar to longtime Linux users. Good for older hardware.
Xfce — the lightest edition. Runs well on very old hardware (sub-4 GB RAM). Less polished than Cinnamon but more efficient.

If you are unsure, take Cinnamon. The other editions exist for lower-end hardware, not because they are "better."

If you prefer a Debian base rather than Ubuntu, or need a 32-bit build, look at LMDE 6 (Linux Mint Debian Edition).

How to Install Linux Mint

Go to the official site. Visit linuxmint.com and click "Download". Use the official download page — avoid random "Linux mirror" sites. The current stable is Linux Mint 22.3 “Zena”.
Pick an edition. Cinnamon is the flagship (modern, familiar Windows-like workflow). MATE and Xfce are lighter for older hardware. Download the 64-bit ISO.
Verify the ISO. On the download page, compare the SHA256 checksum against the file you downloaded. This confirms the ISO wasn't corrupted or tampered with.
Create a bootable USB. Use balenaEtcher (Windows/macOS/Linux) or Rufus (Windows). Writing the ISO will erase everything on the USB drive — double-check it's the right one.
Boot from the USB. Restart your PC and press the boot-menu key (often F12, F2, or Del). Select the USB device to launch the Linux Mint live session.
Try it, then install it. The live desktop lets you test everything without touching your disk. When ready, double-click Install Linux Mint and follow the wizard.
Choose installation options. Pick "Erase disk and install Linux Mint" for a clean PC, or "Something else" for dual-boot. Enable disk encryption if you want your files protected at rest.
Restart and remove the USB. When the installer finishes, restart and unplug the USB. Linux Mint boots straight to the login screen.

Getting Started

Run the Welcome screen. On first boot, Mint's Welcome app walks you through updates, drivers, and optional codecs — click through it before anything else.
Update the system. Open Update Manager from the tray and install all available updates. Reboot if the kernel updates.
Check for drivers. Open Driver Manager — it detects and installs proprietary NVIDIA/AMD/Broadcom drivers when needed.
Set up Timeshift. Launch Timeshift and enable scheduled system snapshots. This is Mint's safety net for bad updates.
Explore Software Manager. It's the app store — search for apps, browse categories, and install with one click. Flatpak support is built in.

Useful Tips

💾 Timeshift before you tinker. Take a snapshot before installing drivers, tweaking configs, or editing system files — rolling back takes 30 seconds.
🧩 Cinnamon is the friendliest edition. If you're coming from Windows, start there. MATE and Xfce exist for older hardware, not because they're "better".
📦 Stick to Software Manager and Flatpak. For normal apps, avoid random PPAs and .deb files from the web — Flatpak versions update cleanly and sandbox safely.
🛡️ Use the firewall. Open Firewall Configuration in the menu and switch it on. Default rules are sensible and it's a two-click setup.
⌨️ Learn three terminal commands. sudo apt update, sudo apt upgrade, and htop cover 90% of daily admin needs.
🔐 Encrypt at install time. Disk encryption can only be set up during installation — if you want it, enable it then. Adding it later means reinstalling.
🖥️ Test in a VM first. Not sure about committing? Boot the ISO in VirtualBox — no disk changes, full experience.
📅 Know the release cycle. Linux Mint 22.3 is an LTS release supported until April 2029. The next major release, Linux Mint 27 “Adrien”, arrives at Christmas 2026 and begins a yearly release cycle.

Linux Mint vs Ubuntu vs Pop!_OS

Linux Mint: Based on Ubuntu LTS. Cinnamon desktop is the most Windows-like of the three. Conservative update policy (updates are held back by default for stability). Starting with Mint 27 (Christmas 2026), the project moves to a yearly release cycle. Best for Windows converts and users who want a stable, familiar desktop that "just works."
Ubuntu: The most widely used Linux desktop. GNOME by default, with a more opinionated design and frequent release cycle (every 6 months, with LTS every 2 years). Larger ecosystem and better commercial support. Best for users who want the most widely documented Linux desktop and the most up-to-date software.
Pop!_OS: From System76, based on Ubuntu. Custom COSMIC desktop, excellent for developers (good NVIDIA driver support out of the box) and gamers (Steam and Proton pre-configured). Best for developers and gamers who want a ready-to-go Ubuntu derivative.

All three are free. Linux Mint is the friendliest for Windows converts, Ubuntu has the largest ecosystem, and Pop!_OS is the best choice for developers and gamers.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

❌ PC won't boot from the USB. Boot order in BIOS/UEFI is wrong, or the USB was written incorrectly. Re-enter BIOS, set the USB as the first boot device, and confirm the USB is listed. If it isn't listed, the ISO may not have written correctly — rewrite it with balenaEtcher or Rufus.
🖤 Black screen after booting the USB. Often a GPU driver issue in the live session. At the boot menu, select "Compatibility Mode" — this uses a safer graphics mode. Once installed, install proprietary drivers through Driver Manager.
💾 Installer can't find the disk. In some cases, a RAID or Intel RST configuration prevents Linux from detecting the drive. In BIOS/UEFI, switch SATA mode from RAID to AHCI. If Windows is also installed on the drive, this will require a Windows repair — proceed carefully.
📶 No Wi-Fi after install. Some Wi-Fi cards (especially Broadcom) need proprietary drivers that aren't included on the ISO. Connect by Ethernet, then run Driver Manager — it will detect and install the driver.
🔊 No audio. Check Sound Settings and select the correct output device — sometimes Mint defaults to HDMI when you're using speakers. Linux Mint 22+ uses PipeWire by default (replacing PulseAudio), so check its status with systemctl --user status pipewire or wpctl status.
🐌 System feels slow after install. Check that you installed to an SSD (not an HDD) and that Cinnamon compositing is enabled. If you installed on older hardware, consider switching to Xfce — the lighter desktop makes a significant difference.
⚠️ Windows disappeared after dual-boot install. If you chose "Erase disk" instead of "Something else," Windows was wiped. This is only recoverable from a Windows backup — there is no undo. If you meant to dual-boot, restore Windows first from a recovery drive, then reinstall Mint using the "Something else" option.
🖥️ Wayland session feels unfinished. In Linux Mint 22.3, the Cinnamon Wayland session is still experimental — X11 remains the default. If you need maximum stability, log in with the default X11 session. Full Wayland support is being completed for Linux Mint 27.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I try Linux Mint without installing it?

Yes. The USB you create is a full live system — you can boot into Linux Mint and use it completely without touching your disk. Only when you run the installer does anything change on your PC. You can also test it in a virtual machine using VirtualBox for a completely safe trial.

Can I dual-boot Linux Mint with Windows?

Yes. During the installer, choose “Something else” and manually partition the disk, keeping your Windows partition intact. The bootloader (GRUB) will allow you to choose between Windows and Mint at startup. This is more complex than “Erase disk” and requires care with partitions — back up first.

Is Linux Mint good for beginners?

Yes, one of the best. The Cinnamon desktop is familiar to Windows users, the Software Manager makes app installation one-click, and the community is friendly and well-documented. If you are new to Linux, Linux Mint is one of the two or three most recommended starting points.

Does Linux Mint come with an office suite?

Yes. Linux Mint includes LibreOffice by default — a full office suite with word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation tools. It opens and saves Microsoft Office formats. No additional purchase is needed.

How big is the Linux Mint download?

Around 3 GB for the ISO. Installation uses roughly 20 GB of disk space for the base system (100 GB+ recommended for real use), growing as you install apps and save files.

Will my Windows apps run on Linux Mint?

Most Windows apps do not run natively on Linux, but there are workarounds: Wine runs many Windows applications, Steam + Proton runs most Windows games (including many AAA titles), and LibreOffice replaces Microsoft Office for most tasks. Some apps have Linux-native equivalents (GIMP for Photoshop, DaVinci Resolve for video editing). For truly Windows-only apps, a Windows VM (via VirtualBox or VMware) is the fallback.

What is the current version of Linux Mint?

The current stable release is Linux Mint 22.3 “Zena”, released in January 2026 and supported until April 2029. It is based on Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS and ships with Cinnamon 6.6 (plus MATE and Xfce editions). A major new release, Linux Mint 27 “Adrien”, is scheduled for Christmas 2026 and will move the project to a yearly release cycle.

Should I wait for Linux Mint 27?

If you need a stable system today, install 22.3. It is an LTS release supported until 2029. If you can wait a few weeks and want the newest Ubuntu 26.04 base, the new live-installer, and the latest Wayland improvements, Linux Mint 27 “Adrien” is expected at Christmas 2026. There will be an upgrade path from 22.3 to 27, but a clean install is generally smoother.

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