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Linux Mint Will Adopt a Longer Development Cycle Starting with Linux Mint 23
Back in February 2026, the Linux Mint devs revealed that they are considering a longer development cycle for future Linux Mint versions, but now the decision is final. With this, they aim to focus more on fixing bugs and improving the Linux Mint desktop.
As such, the next major Linux Mint release, Linux Mint 23, is expected in December 2026, based on the upcoming Ubuntu 26.04 LTS (Resolute Racoon) operating system series and powered by the latest and greatest Linux 7.0 kernel series. In addition, Linux Mint 23 will use the same installer as Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE).
OMG Ubuntu:
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Linux Mint's next release won't be until Christmas 2026 - OMG! Ubuntu
As a result, the Linux Mint 23 release is now slated to launch in December 2026. It will, among other planned changes, use the same installer as LMDE (Linux Mint Debian Edition) as this offers better OEM install, SecureBoot and LVM/LUKS support.
Project lead Clement Lefebvre intimated that upending the distro’s standard twice-yearly release model was needed in February, noting that “…one of our strengths is that we’re doing things incrementally and changing things slowly”.
While the overall release strategy is still be dialled in, i.e., how often new releases arrive, the status of point releases and whether to introduce alpha releases to catch issues sooner via earlier testing.
GamingOnLinux:
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Linux Mint confirm longer release cycles, the next release is planned for Christmas 2026 | GamingOnLinux
There's still quite a few details they need to work out including how long they want their own development cycle to be, if they will freeze minor releases or do some kind of "backported/semi-rolling" and if they will do any Alpha releases. As said by Lefebvre they have a simple mission to "fix bugs and improve the desktop", they want to keep setting the bar higher for each new release. It's all about getting that flexibility they need without rushing decisions.