Installing Mint on your computer delivers a fast, familiar desktop with modern tools and sensible defaults. This guide walks you through each stage, from hardware checks to first login and daily tweaks.
Use the overview below to match your device and goals with the right Mint edition and preparation steps before you begin.
| Edition | Desktop | Best For | Default Apps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux Mint Cinnamon | Cinnamon | Traditional workflow, Windows-like feel | KDE Connect, Timeshift, Update Manager |
| Linux Mint MATE | MATE | Lightweight, older hardware | Light apps, Mousepad, Engrampa |
| Linux Mint XFCE | XFCE | Balance of speed and features | Thunar, Mousepad, Orage |
Downloading and Preparing Installation Media
Choose the Right ISO
Visit the official Linux Mint site and pick Cinnamon, MATE, or XFCE based on your comfort level and hardware. Download the 64-bit ISO unless you are on very old 32-bit hardware.
Verify and Create Bootable USB
Check the SHA256 sum on the downloaded file to confirm integrity, then write the ISO to USB using Raspberry Pi Imager, balenaEtcher, or Ventoy. Aim for at least 8 GB USB for comfort, even if the install size is smaller.
Configuring Firmware and Boot Order
BIOS/UEFI Settings
Reboot into your firmware by pressing a key like F2, Del, or Esc. Ensure Secure Boot is disabled for Mint, enable legacy BIOS if needed for older machines, and confirm that CSM is set appropriately for your boot method.
Boot Manager Selection
Insert the USB, restart, and open the boot menu with F12, Esc, or another vendor key. Select the USB drive, verify that it lists UEFI or BIOS depending on your setting, and confirm that the firmware date and time are correct to avoid certificate issues.
Starting the Linux Mint Installer
Live Session and Try Mode
Boot into the live desktop to test Wi‑Fi, graphics, sound, and peripherals before committing. Use the desktop shortcut to launch the installer so you can verify that drives and network are working as expected.
Language, Keyboard, and Accessibility
Choose your language and keyboard layout first, then enable accessibility options if needed. These choices affect the default system locale and input behavior for your user account and installer defaults.
Partitioning and Installation Options
Easy Automatic Setup
Select "Install Linux Mint" and let the installer erase the disk or use alongside another OS. This is safest for most users and automatically creates a reasonable partition layout including swap and, if enabled, an EFI system partition.
Manual Partition Control
For advanced users, choose "Something else" to create separate /, /home, and swap partitions. Align with your backup strategy; EFI systems need a FAT32 ESP, while UEFI and BIOS choices differ in partition requirements and boot placement.
Post-Install Configuration and Optimization
System Updates and Kernel Choices
After reboot, open Update Manager, install all pending patches, and consider the kernel flavor if you have specialized hardware. Most users should stay on the long-term supported mainline kernel provided by default.
Drivers, Multimedia, and Snap
Optional driver manager tools can add firmware and proprietary graphics support. You may also enable multimedia codecs and decide about Snap, Flatpak, or deb sources depending on how you prefer to manage additional applications.
Final System Checklist and Key Recommendations
- Verify ISO checksum and GPG signature before writing to USB
- Back up important data and, if needed, shrink Windows partitions from inside Windows
- Disable Secure Boot in firmware when using third‑party drivers or custom kernels
- Test Wi‑Fi, graphics, and suspend/resume in the live session
- Enable automatic security updates and schedule regular Timeshift snapshots
- Install firmware updates and multimedia codecs as needed after first boot
FAQ
Reader questions
Will installing Mint delete my existing files on a dual‑boot Windows machine?
Not if you choose "Install alongside Windows." The installer lets you resize Windows and allocate space for Mint without overwriting your current files, but always back up important data before partitioning.
What should I do if Wi‑Fi does not work after installing Mint?
Open Additional Drivers and apply any recommended firmware, check that airplane mode is off, and verify that the correct wireless interface is enabled in your network settings. Some Broadcom and Realtek devices require extra firmware packages available from the repository.
Can I install Linux Mint on a Surface or another device with Fast Boot? Disable Fast Startup in Windows Power Options and fully shut down, not restart, before booting the USB. You may also turn off Secure Boot in firmware and ensure the USB is trusted for UEFI boot to avoid firmware conflicts. How do I add my user to the sudo group so I can run admin commands?
During installation, create a normal user and check administrative privileges. After install, you can use Users and Groups or the terminal to add your user to sudo, ensuring you understand which commands require elevation to avoid accidental system changes.