Linux Mint Retools the Cinnamon App Launcher
The developers of Linux Mint are working on an improved Cinnamon App Launcher with a better, more accessible UI.
Sometimes change happens because it's required. Sometimes change happens because it's desired. Sometimes the twain shall meet and a change happens because it's both required and desired.
I believe that to be the case with the news from the official Linux Mint blog about what's coming for the Cinnamon application menu. What the developers have designed isn't a dramatic reinvention of the app menu, but a sort of reconfiguring of the constituent parts.
Essentially, the redesign expands the side panel in the desktop menu such that it shows the full name of pinned icons (launchers), but it also adds the standard home folders (Home, Desktop, Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos, and Downloads). At the same time, your username and avatar will be shown in the top left corner of the new menu.
Another change to the menu includes moving the screen lock, log out, and shutdown buttons from the side panel to the bottom right corner of the menu.
These are not game-changing reconfigurations, but they will go a long way to help make the Cinnamon desktop menu a bit more efficient and give it a more modern appearance. Up until now, the Cinnamon desktop menu was somewhat sparse and looked a bit too old-school for such a modern distribution.
This revamped menu will ship with Linux Mint 22.2 and the Cinnamon 6.6 desktop (as well as with any distribution that uses the latest version of Cinnamon).
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
-
Framework Laptop 13 Pro Competes with the Best
Framework has released what might be considered the MacBook of Linux devices.
-
The Latest CachyOS Features Supercharged Kernel
The latest release of CachyOS brings with it an enhanced version of the latest Linux kernel.
-
Kernel 7.0 Is a Bit More Rusty
Linux kernel 7.0 has been released for general availability, with Rust finally getting its due.
-
France Says "Au Revoir" to Microsoft
In a move that should surprise no one, France announced plans to reduce its reliance on US technology, and Microsoft Windows is the first to get the boot.
-
CIQ Releases Compatibility Catalog for Rocky Linux
The company behind Rocky Linux is making an open catalog available to developers, hobbyists, and other contributors, so they can verify and publish compatibility with the CIQ lineup.
-
KDE Gets Some Resuscitation
KDE is bringing back two themes that vanished a few years ago, putting a bit more air under its wings.
-
Ubuntu 26.04 Beta Arrives with Some Surprises
Ubuntu 26.04 is almost here, but the beta version has been released, and it might surprise some people.
-
Ubuntu MATE Dev Leaving After 12 years
Martin Wimpress, the maintainer of Ubuntu MATE, is now searching for his successor. Are you the next in line?
-
Kali Linux Waxes Nostalgic with BackTrack Mode
For those who've used Kali Linux since its inception, the changes with the new release are sure to put a smile on your face.
-
Gnome 50 Smooths Out NVIDIA GPU Issues
Gamers rejoice, your favorite pastime just got better with Gnome 50 and NVIDIA GPUs.