The much-anticipated release of LMDE (Linux Mint Debian Edition) 7 is now available for download, built on the Debian GNU/Linux 13 “Trixie” series. This new version, codenamed Gigi, comes with the Cinnamon 6.4.13 desktop environment and is powered by the long-term supported Linux 6.12 LTS kernel.
LMDE 7 incorporates key features from the earlier Linux Mint 22.2 “Zara” release. These features include fingerprint authentication via the new Fingwit app, enhanced XDG Desktop Portal XApp support, improved compatibility with the libadwaita library, updated themes, and a refined Wayland session.
A notable addition in LMDE 7 is support for OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) installations, allowing the operating system to be pre-installed on computers sold globally. This was highlighted by Clement Lefebvre, who emphasized the significance of this feature for those wishing to donate or sell their computers.
The objective behind the Linux Mint Debian Edition is to ensure a consistent user experience, even if Ubuntu ceases to exist. It also serves as a development platform to confirm that in-house software remains compatible outside of Ubuntu.
For further details, including known issues, users can refer to the release notes. LMDE 7 is classified as a long-term support (LTS) release, promising software and security updates for several years.
You can download Linux Mint Debian Edition 7 from the official download mirrors.