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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Linux Mint 21.2 “Victoria” is a comfort-and-polish release: its standout additions are Cinnamon’s simpler appearance controls and desktop gestures, plus better integration with compatible apps that do not use Mint’s native toolkits. Pix and the Software Manager also received meaningful updates. These are features of the 2023 release, not a recommendation to install an old version today.
What Linux Mint 21.2 added at a glance
The Linux Mint team released the stable Cinnamon Edition on July 16, 2023. It is based on Ubuntu Jammy packages and Linux kernel 5.15. The project described it as a long-term-support release supported until 2027 in its official announcement.
The changes are primarily practical refinements rather than a wholesale redesign: Cinnamon makes common appearance choices easier, adds gestures for everyday desktop tasks, and improves how compatible non-native applications receive desktop preferences. The update also refreshes Pix, the Software Manager, and the login screen.
Which Cinnamon 5.8 changes stand out?
Styles make desktop appearance easier to manage
Cinnamon 5.8 introduced Styles, a simpler way to choose a light, dark, or mixed presentation and coordinate it with color variants. Users can start with combinations such as Adwaita, Mint-X, or Mint-Y, then use advanced settings to select individual themes. This makes it easier to get a coherent desktop look without assembling every theme choice separately; it does not guarantee that every application follows the desktop setting.
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- Intel Core i5-1335U Processor (12M Cache, 12 Threads, up to 4.6 GHz) - 256GB Solid State Drive - 16GB DDR4 SDRAM
- 15.6" FHD (1920x1080) Non-Touch Anti-Glare Display - Intel UHD 620 Integrated Graphics - Stereo Speakers
- 720p HD Webcam with Privacy Shutter. Integrated Microphone - Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC (2x2) 8265, Bluetooth Version 4.2
- I/O Ports: 2x USB 3.0, 1x USB 3.1 Type-C 3.1, Headphone/Mic Combo Port, 4-in-1 Card Reader, HDMI, Kensington Mini-Lock Slot
- Linux Mint (Cinnamon) 64-Bit - Keyboard with Full NumberPad - Fast Charging
Gestures bring common actions to touch input
Cinnamon added gestures for window management, workspaces, tiling, and media controls. The feature overview says they work with touchpads, touchscreens, and tablets. Actual behavior depends on supported, gesture-capable hardware, so the feature should not be taken to mean every device offers the same gestures.
Notifications and everyday details are refined
Notifications were redesigned to use the desktop accent color and prefer symbolic icons where possible. The main menu can now be resized, and themes gained experimental bumpmap and blur support. There is also an option to disable low-battery notifications for connected devices.
Nemo, the file manager, gained multithreaded thumbnail generation. Directories containing many media files can load thumbnails faster, at the cost of using more CPU while the work is being done.
Rank #2
- Intel Core i5-10210U (up to 4.2GHz) - 1TB PCIe NVMe + 1TB HDD - 32GB DDR4 SDRAM
- 17.3" HD+ (1600x900) Display, Intel UHD Graphics 620
- Built in HD 720p Webcam with Microphone - Bluetooth Version4.2
- I/O Ports: 2x USB 3.1 (Data Only), 1x USB 2.0, 1x HDMI, 1x Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack
- Linux Mint Cinnamon 64-Bit - 6-Row Keyboard w/ Full Numberpad
How does Victoria improve dark mode for other apps?
XApp added XDG Desktop Portal support for Cinnamon, MATE, and Xfce. This helps compatible non-native applications—including Flatpaks and GNOME/Libadwaita apps—work with desktop features such as screenshot handling and dark mode.
A global preference lets users choose “Prefer light,” “Prefer dark,” or “Let the applications decide.” The preference affects only applications that support the relevant portal behavior; it is not a universal switch that forces every app into the selected mode.
What changed in Pix?
Pix was rebased on gThumb 3.12.2. Mint’s feature overview lists faster image loading and navigation, larger thumbnails, color-profile support, improved video playback, new effects and curves, a color picker, multi-folder search, and customizable keyboard shortcuts.
Rank #3
- Intel Quad Core i7-8565U Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.90 GHz) - 1TB NVMe-PCIe Solid State Drive (SSD) -32GB DDR4 RAM
- 13.3” FHD (1920x1080) IPS, Anti-Glare Non-touch Display - Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 9560 With Bluetooth 5.0 - Intel UHD Graphics
- Linux Mint (Cinnamon) 64-Bit - Dolby Audio with Harman Speakers - Best-in-class 6-row backlit keyboard - Full Aluminum Body (in Mineral Gray)
- Integrated 720p HD Webcam with dual array noise-cancelling microphones with ThinkShutter Camera Privacy Feature - I/O: 2x USB 3.1 Ports (one always on), 1x USB 3.1 Type-C Gen2 (Supports Audio, Video and Data Transfer), Headphone/Mic Combo Jack, HDMI 1.4b
- Enhanced Security Features include: Hardware & Software Trusted Platform Module ( dTPM 2.0) Security Chip - Lightweight at 2.95 lbs and 16mm Thin so it is Easy to Slip Under Your Arm or Into Your Backpack
Format support also expanded: the release lists AVIF, HEIF, and JXL support, along with improvements for GIF, RAW, and TIFF files. Pix’s upstream interface uses headerbars and buttons instead of traditional toolbars and menubars. Mint notes that this layout may be slightly less discoverable to newcomers, while remaining intuitive.
What else was updated?
Software Manager
The Software Manager received a refreshed interface. Its featured applications were updated to include Flatpaks, and its scoring system was changed to bring newer trending applications to the surface.
Login screen
Slick Greeter added login-screen keyboard-layout switching, automatic tap-to-click detection, configurable on-screen keyboard layout, password visibility controls, Wayland-session support, and a scrollable session list.
Rank #4
- Intel Core i7-1065G7 (8M Cache, up to 3.90 GHz) - 1TB Hard Disk Drive - 20GB DDR4 SDRAM
- 15.6" HD Non-Touch Display - Intel UHD 620 Integrated Graphics - Stereo Speakers
- Built in HD 720p Webcam with Microphone - Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC (2x2) 8265, Bluetooth Version 4.1
- I/O Ports: 1x USB 2.0 / 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 / 1x HDMI 1.4b / 1x Card reader / 1x Headphone / microphone combo jack (3.5mm) / 1x Power connector
- Linux Mint (Cinnamon) 64-Bit - Keyboard with Full NumberPad
Other application and system refinements
- The release lists full HEIF and AVIF image support.
- Xreader added Adobe Illustrator document support and defaults to page mode in a maximized window.
- Blueman was updated to version 2.3.5.
See the official Linux Mint 21.2 feature overview for the detailed list of changes.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you install Linux Mint 21.2 now?
Victoria’s feature list describes a 2023 release whose stated support period ended in 2027. If you are choosing a Mint version today, check Linux Mint’s current download listing and release information rather than installing an old ISO because of these features. The project’s edition and ISO information includes downloads and integrity-verification links.
If you are evaluating an ISO, consider the desktop environment you want—Cinnamon, MATE, or Xfce—and whether the included kernel supports your hardware. The standard 21.x image used kernel 5.15. In October 2023, Mint explained that its 21.2 Edge ISO was intended for hardware too new to boot that kernel. That is historical context, not assurance about what image you should use now; check the current offerings and release notes. Creating installation media requires an appropriate USB flash drive, but no particular model is required.
Best Value
- Live Boot: Simply plug the USB drive into your computer, select the USB drive as your boot device, and experience Linux Mint without installation. This allows you to test the OS and its features before making any changes to your system.
- Install Option: Once you've tested and decided to keep Linux Mint, you can easily install it on your computer directly from the USB drive.
- Pre-installed software like LibreOffice for office tasks, a capable web browser (Firefox), email client (Thunderbird), and multimedia tools. This minimizes the need for additional downloads, saving you time and effort.
- Resource Efficiency: Designed to run efficiently on a variety of hardware configurations. It demands fewer system resources compared to some other operating systems, making it an excellent choice for older computers or devices with limited hardware specifications.
- Compatible with PC/Laptop/Desktop brands - Dell, HP, Sony, Lenovo, Samsung, Acer, Toshiba & more. Minimum system requirements 4 GB RAM Dual-Core Processor (2 GHz) 20 GB of free disk space
The 21.2 release notes documented a Secure Boot compatibility problem affecting ISOs after an Ubuntu shim-signed update, as well as a Grub boot error described as “out of memory.” For that Grub issue, the notes suggested preparing a live USB using Rufus. These are release-era known issues, so consult the notes for the specific image you plan to install rather than assuming the old workarounds apply to current releases.
How existing Mint users upgraded to 21.2
For users moving an existing system to 21.2 at the time, Mint’s guide recommended refreshing Update Manager’s information and launching System Upgrade from its menu. It also advised updating installed Cinnamon “spices”—applets, desklets, extensions, and themes—before upgrading. The official upgrade guide gives the release-specific steps; do not assume those instructions are appropriate for upgrading to a different release today.
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