The Linux Mint team announced that the Linux Mint 20.2 is now available. Linux Mint 20.2, a long-term support release that will be supported until 2025, comes with updated software and new features. Users now can update the OS by clicking the “Upgrade to Linux Mint 20.2” in the System Upgrade’s Edit drop-down menu, or use the following terminal command:
apt install usrmerge
New features
In Linux Mint 20.2, the Update Manager now supports Cinnamon spice updates. The updates are now presented similar to APT updates, even though they are technically different. Spice updates can also be automated, which upgrades them shortly after the login.
In the latest version, the Update Manager can remember how long updates have been available for, how long the computer was on during that time, and assess whether notification would be welcome to remind or not. When a notification is dismissed, it will be snoozed for 2 days.
The Update Manager also takes care of the automation of Flatpak updates. Unused Flatpak runtimes can be automatically removed if this option is active.
The latest version also comes with a new application, Bulky, for bulk file renaming and Sticky Notes, which replaces GNote as the default. Sticky Notes is developed in GTK3 and supports HiDPl and integrates well in the desktop environment. Another application, Warpinator allows users to transfer files from computer to computer across the local network and with Android mobile devices.
In Linux Mint 20.2, Nemo, the Cinnamon file manager, comes with a new search feature. It now combines file search and content search. The team also stated that 5 memory leaks were fixed in Cinnamon 5 and they implemented a new monitor to detect, log and tackle cases where Cinnamon takes too much memory.
FAQ
What is the latest version of Linux Mint?
The latest version of Linux Mint is Linux Mint 21.1 "Vera" and it was released on 20 December 2022. The next version, Linux Mint 21.2 "Victoria" is planned to be released at the end of June 2023.
Is Linux Mint free?
Yes, Linux Mint is a completely free and open-source operating system, which means that it is available for anyone to use, modify and distribute without any cost.
Is Linux Mint lightweight?
Linux Mint is considered a lightweight operating system compared to other Linux distributions that are designed for enterprise use. It is designed to be user-friendly and provides a balance between performance and functionality.
Is Linux Mint good for old computers?
Linux Mint is a good option for users who have older computers and want a lightweight, stable, and secure system that can run smoothly on their hardware. Linux Mint provides two different desktop environments, Cinnamon and MATE, both of which are lightweight and can run smoothly on older hardware. Additionally, Linux Mint's Software Manager allows users to easily install and remove software, which means that users can choose to run only the software they need, and avoid running software that can slow down their system.
Can Linux Mint be installed on a virtual machine?
Yes, Linux Mint can be installed on a virtual machine. A virtual machine (VM) allows you to run an operating system within another operating system. This means that you can install Linux Mint on a virtual machine and run it on top of your current operating system, without the need to replace it or partition your hard drive. To install Linux Mint on VMWare, you can refer to our article: How to create VM and install a Linux distro on VMWare Workstation
Can I run Linux Mint on a USB stick?
Yes, you can run Linux Mint on a USB stick. You can create a live USB drive with Linux Mint, which allows you to boot the operating system from the USB stick and run it on any computer that supports booting from a USB drive. This is also known as a "Live USB" or "Live USB drive". It's worth noting that running Linux Mint from a USB drive can be slower than running it from a hard drive, and also the changes you make to the system while running it from USB will not be saved when you shut down the system unless you use a persistent mode.
Is Linux Mint still supported?
Linux Mint is still actively supported and developed and has a strong community that continues to work on improving the distribution and providing support to its users.