Linux Mint 22.2 Beta Expected Soon, Focus Shifts to LMDE 7

posted by Rianne Schestowitz on Jul 14, 2025,
updated Aug 07, 2025

Quoting: Linux Mint 22.2 Beta Expected Soon, Focus Shifts to LMDE 7 —

Linux Mint has released its regular monthly newsletter; this time, we have some exciting updates to share with you. First up, the team is making steady progress toward the beta release of Linux Mint 22.2 “Zara,” with a slew of new features and refinements in the pipeline.

Currently in the final stages of development, Mint 22.2 is shaping up to be a noteworthy update. The team is focusing on merging pull requests and polishing packages, though an exact release date hasn’t been set just yet. If all goes according to plan, users can expect the beta to drop by late July or early August.

Read on

How-To Geek:

• Linux Mint 22.2 Is Going to Work Better on New PCs

  The developers of LInux Mint in a short blog post this week previewed what's coming, including a new default kernel and a new version of LMDE. The kernel is going to make it easier to use brand new, cutting edge PCs and peripherals when you install Mint on your PC.

  Linux Mint 22.2, nicknamed "Zara," will apparently use by default an alternative Linux kernel called HWE, which stands for HardWare Enablement. It'll bring with it the latest drivers and patches that enable the use of brand new hardware, from CPUs to monitors to mice. It's good news people for who like Mint and also like to buy the latest tech.

  While manufacturers might be releasing their devices with full support for Windows and maybe Mac, they might not necessarily be ensuring their gear will work for Linux folks. Even when they do, the code may not make it into Linux kernels being used by popular distros for some time. Distros like Mint have traditionally stuck with well-tested LTS versions of the kernel for the sake of stability. As of Mint 22.2, the HWE kernel will make it more likely you can use your cutting-edge tech on the popular Linux distro.

Originals and Neowin:

• Monthly News – June 2025

  Hello everyone, Many thanks to our sponsors and to all of you who support the project with your donations.

• Monthly News – July 2025

  Hello everyone, Many thanks to our sponsors and to all of you who support the project with your donations. GNU/Linux Mint 22.2 The team is working on a BETA release for GNU/Linux Mint 22.2. This new version introduces an HWE kernel, fingerprint authentication, theme updates, accent color support and improved libAdwaita compatibility.

• Linux Mint 22.2 beta to bring fingerprint login, better themes, and Wayland fixes

  Linux Mint 22.2 beta is due to be released at the end of the month or in early August, with the stable version arriving a few weeks after that. Attention will then move to LMDE 7.

OMG Ubuntu:

• Linux Mint 22.2 Beta Coming Soon, ISOs Enter Testing - OMG! Ubuntu

  A Linux Mint 22.2 Cinnamon Edition ISO was added to the Linux Mint ISO tracker last week. This is where internal testing of images takes place before a public beta release.

  While it was ‘rejected’ (which happens if major issues are found), a second image was added today (6 August) and is now in the process of ‘being tested’. Images being tested on the ISO tracker doesn’t happen for fun, so it indicates a beta is on the way.

  Of course, there is a chance this latest ISO gets ‘rejected’. If so, a new ISO generated, added to testing, the process starts again until an image sticks.

  As soon as an ISO moves from ‘being tested’ to ‘approved’ status a formal release can happen. That will be image you, I, or anyone else will download from the Linux Mint website, flash to a USB, boot on a device, and try out firsthand.

  For Linux Mint 22.2, there will be a fair bit to try.