Linux Mint 22.1 Xia launches with Cinnamon 6.4, new theme, and system enhancements

Linux Mint 22.1 "Xia" has been launched, featuring the Cinnamon 6.4 desktop environment, built on Linux kernel 6.8 and based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.

This update introduces a modern look with a new default theme that includes darker tones, rounded corners, and enhanced contrast. The UI has been cleaned up with redesigned confirmation dialogs and on-screen displays. Wayland users will experience improved compatibility through native dialogs in Clutter, offering a smoother experience. Enhancements in the Cinnamon desktop include smarter Alt-Tab behavior, password visibility toggles in the screensaver, and updates to the Nemo file manager.

The update also brings a significant overhaul of APT dependencies, replacing older tools like aptdaemon and GDebi with Aptkit and Captain for better system reliability and flexibility. The Update Manager now boasts upgraded multithreading and multiprocessing code, improved Wayland compatibility, and new graphical tools for downgrading foreign packages. Beyond Cinnamon, the Xfce edition is updated to version 4.18, while the MATE edition remains at version 1.26.