Linux Mint 21 is Now Available
The latest iteration of Linux Mint, codenamed Vanessa, has been released with a new upgrade tool and other fantastic features.
Linux Mint 21 has arrived and it includes some interesting updates and features that will please both new and previous users alike. One big addition is the new upgrade tool that makes it even easier to upgrade to a major version with just a few clicks of a graphical tool. The new updater displays packages that have been upgraded as well as those that won’t and reports if any PPAs will no longer be supported in the new version.
Linux Mint 21 also ships with a new Bluetooth application, Blueman, and the bluez backend. This was done for two reasons. First off Blueman is a superior application. The other reason is explained by Clement Lefèbvre (Linux Mint Lead Developer) when he said in a blog post back in March:
“On the development side of things, the latest version of gnome-bluetooth introduced changes which broke compatibility with Blueberry, and its main developer isn’t keen on seeing his work used outside of GNOME. Blueman on the other hand welcomed a Mint migration and is open to changes. We’re currently testing Blueman and working on its integration within Linux Mint.”
Other new features found in Mint 21 include Timeshift becoming an official Linux Mint tool, WebP image support, better thumbnails via Xapp, new wallpapers, the including of libfuse2 and libfuse3-3 for AppImage applications, Cinnamon 5.4.2, kernel 5.15, an improved Sticky Notes app (which allows for note duplication) and a new process manager system tray app for the monitoring of automated tasks.
One thing the Mint Developers didn’t add to version 21 is systemd-oomd, which is a service that automatically manages out-of-memory issues by killing running applications. Ubuntu 22.04 introduced this feature which has since caused numerous problems in user space. Because of this, the developers of Linux Mint opted to nix the inclusion of the feature.
Download your copy of Linux Mint 21 now.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Canonical Releases Ubuntu 24.04
After a brief pause because of the XZ vulnerability, Ubuntu 24.04 is now available for install.
-
Linux Servers Targeted by Akira Ransomware
A group of bad actors who have already extorted $42 million have their sights set on the Linux platform.
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.
-
Kodi 21.0 Open-Source Entertainment Hub Released
After a year of development, the award-winning Kodi cross-platform, media center software is now available with many new additions and improvements.
-
Linux Usage Increases in Two Key Areas
If market share is your thing, you'll be happy to know that Linux is on the rise in two areas that, if they keep climbing, could have serious meaning for Linux's future.
-
Vulnerability Discovered in xz Libraries
An urgent alert for Fedora 40 has been posted and users should pay attention.
-
Canonical Bumps LTS Support to 12 years
If you're worried that your Ubuntu LTS release won't be supported long enough to last, Canonical has a surprise for you in the form of 12 years of security coverage.
-
Fedora 40 Beta Released Soon
With the official release of Fedora 40 coming in April, it's almost time to download the beta and see what's new.