Now they’ve gotten Linux Mint 22.2 out the door, the developers of the popular Ubuntu-based distro are turning their attention to working on the next major release: LMDE 7 (Linux Mint Debian Edition), built atop the new Debian 13 release.
But don’t worry; Linux Mint 22.3 is in the works too. It remains on track for release in December 2025, but it is going to see a shorter-than-usual development cycle due to the later-than-usual launch of 22.2.
Linux Mint 22.2 was heavy on software updates, so in 22.3 the focus will primarily be on shipping a new version of the Cinnamon desktop kitted out with changes Mint’s contributors been working away on (and teasing) for a while.
Among them, the new Mint Menu applet I reported on earlier this year.
The new menu sticks to the desktop’s traditional 3 pane look with search bar, but improves the look, layout and info density of what’s shown when open:
A prominent profile header with user avatar and name is also added. This compliments the inclusion of profile picture support for the Slicker Greeter (login screen) in Linux Mint 22.2.
Quick access to user folders (saving the need to open Nemo), labels for common actions, description labels for apps, and a dedicated session row for screen lock, logout and session restart/shutdown actions roundup the changes.
Since the default Cinnamon Menu is configurable already, I imagine Mint will include settings to hide, control and adjust various elements within its proposed new layout so that those who don’t like the change can quick get back to something familiar.
Linux Mint 22.3 will also bring a new status applet (I’m not sure if that is a revamped system tray applet, or something new), and extend its burgeoning Wayland support with better keyboard handling and input methods.
Beyond Cinnamon, a new version of its file manager Nemo with RegEx improvements I spotlighted earlier in the year.
And, no doubt, a fair bit more besides.