After the August beta and several weeks of polishing details, Linux Mint 22.2 «Zara» is ready to download in its usual versions. The new release focuses on everyday usability improvements, visual tweaks, and a security leap with fingerprint login.
The final images have been uploaded to the official mirrors and can now be installed or updated from recent versions of Mint. The community has been waiting for this iteration for some time, which maintains the philosophy of stability and long term support project feature.
What's coming with Linux Mint 22.2
The basis of the system is based on Ubuntu LTS 24.04 and maintains support for the 22.x series until 2029. As for the kernel, fresh installations include Linux 6.14 to expand hardware compatibility, while many systems that upgrade from previous versions continue with the kernel LTS 6.8, fully supported; both options are available from the kernel manager if you wish to switch.
Desktop Editions
Mint 22.2 is offered with Cinnamon 6.4 as a main edition and variants with Xfce 4.18 and MATE 1.26. These editions maintain the classic desktop approach with solid performance and distribution tools.
Visual tweaks and theme consistency
The issue Mint-Y adopt a touch more blue that softens grays and darkens, achieving a somewhat more metallic and modern appearance. At the login, a blur effect in panels and dialogs, plus support for user avatars.
To improve application integration, Mint includes enhanced support for GTK4/libadwaita respecting the Mint‑Y, Mint‑X and Mint‑L themes, and the accent colors now available in Flatpak apps via the XDG Desktop Portal. The result is a more uniform set of classic and modern apps.
Linux Mint 22.2 introduces fingerprint authentication with Fingwit
One of the great novelties is Fingwit, a utility that allows you to register and use your fingerprint to log in, unlock your screensaver, and authorize sudo or administrative applications. If there are personal folder encryption or active keyring, fingerprint login may also require a password, a logical technical limitation today.
Own apps: more polished
The notes app Sticky It debuts rounded corners, works in Wayland sessions, and can be synced with Android via the community app. StyncyNotes (available on F‑Droid, based on SyncThing), which is handy for keeping reminders on your phone.
The IPTV player hypnotix includes two display modes: Theatre (F6), which hides controls while keeping the title bar, and Borderless (F7), which removes borders and bars for a floating experience. In addition, starts faster, searches better in large lists and no longer resets the volume when changing channels.
warpinator, the local network sharing tool, expands its reach thanks to its availability in iOS in addition to Android, making it easier to send files to more devices.
Managing Software and Updates in Linux Mint 22.2
El Software Manager renews its welcome screen and incorporates a help icon that explains the difference between system packages and Flatpak, something useful for those who are new to Mint. In the Update Manager A “Restart” button appears when an update requires it, simplifying the process.
Other improvements include editing the description in WebAppManager, a new thumbnail generator for file covers .aiff, minor tweaks to XApps (e.g. changes to Xviewer color correction) and polishes to utilities like Rename, Timeshift mode, Mint Drivers y Mint Menu.
Performance and compatibility
With the kernel available 6.14 On fresh installations and the Ubuntu "Noble" base, compatibility with modern hardware improves, which is especially noticeable in graphics, power and peripheralsOn already configured systems, maintaining the LTS 6.8 kernel offers long-term stability without sacrificing support.
Download and install Linux Mit 22.2
The final ISOs of Linux Mint 22.2 «Zara» are now available on official mirrors. You can choose between Cinnamon, MATE, and Xfce editions, and create a bootable USB to install it on any compatible computer.
Minimum Requirements
- 64 bit CPU
- 2 GB of RAM (4 GB recommended)
- 20 GB storage (100 GB recommended)
- Resolution 1024 × 768 or higher
How to upgrade from Mint 22 or 22.1
If you are already using Linux Mint 22/22.1, you can move to 22.2 without reinstalling. First, apply all updates and restart if prompted. Then, open Update managergo to Edit and choose Upgrade to Linux Mint 22.2 ZaraA wizard will guide you step by step; if the manager itself needs to be updated, do it before to see the skip option.
Additional notes
The team has indicated that the news of Linux Mint 22.2 will also arrive at LMDE with the next release of the Debian-based edition, so that the improvements are spreading beyond Ubuntu edition.
Focusing on small details that add up, this version updates the aesthetics, fine-tunes the built-in tools, and adds fingerprint authentication to simplify sensitive tasks; all while maintaining the conservative line Mint's stability, desktop options, and long-term support.