Linux Mint 22.3 Beta Released - Cinnamon 6.6 Takes Center Stage

The Linux Mint team has officially pulled the curtain back on the Beta release of Linux Mint 22.3, codenamed "Zena." As the third installment in the Mint 22 long-term support (LTS) series, Zena remains anchored to the robust Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS base while introducing significant desktop refinements—most notably the debut of Cinnamon 6.6.

The Evolution of Cinnamon 6.6

The flagship Cinnamon edition receives its most visual update in years with version 6.6. While Mint is known for its "traditional" desktop metaphor, this release seeks to modernize the experience without alienating long-time users.

A Reimagined Application Menu

The most striking change is the overhauled Mint Menu. While retaining its familiar three-column layout, it now features,

• Modernized Sidebar - A full height sidebar that includes user account pictures and symbolic app category icons.
• Enhanced Customization - Users can now toggle between symbolic and full-color icons, reposition the search bar (now at the bottom by default), and hide specific sidebar elements to create a more minimal footprint.
• Improved Navigation - Search accuracy has been improved, and the code has been refactored for faster response times.

Keyboard and Wayland Progress

Cinnamon 6.6 makes significant strides in Wayland compatibility.

• IBus Integration - Traditional keyboard layouts and IBus input methods (crucial for languages like Japanese) are now handled natively within the same configuration interface.
• New Virtual Keyboard - The on-screen keyboard (OSK) has been rewritten from the ground up, moving away from libcaribou to a native Cinnamon implementation that supports layout switching and better visual integration.

Desktop Quality of Life

• Notification Badges - The window list applet now supports badges to show unread notification counts for specific apps.
• Night Light Applet - A dedicated panel applet for Night Light is now available, featuring a new "Always On" mode.
• Workspace Switcher - Now displays icons for open apps on the workspace thumbnails, providing better visual context.

System-Wide Enhancements

Beyond the desktop environment, Linux Mint 22.3 introduces tools and fixes that span across the Cinnamon, Xfce, and MATE editions.

New System Information Tool

A new dedicated "System Information" app provides granular details about your hardware. It breaks down information into categories like USB (showing speed and power draw), GPU (driver status), PCI, and BIOS/Motherboard details, making troubleshooting significantly easier for the end user.

Improved File Operations

The Nemo file manager (and the XApp-based file operations) now supports pausing and resuming active file transfers. This is a highly requested feature for users moving large amounts of data across slow network drives or external storage.

Backup and Synchronization

• Timeshift - Users can now pause and resume active snapshots, preventing system slowdowns during intensive backup processes.
• Warpinator - The local file-sharing tool has been updated with IPv6 support and the ability to send simple text messages between devices.

Under the Hood

• Kernel - Powered by the Linux 6.14 HWE (Hardware Enablement) kernel, ensuring support for the latest AMD and Intel hardware.
• Base - Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS.
• Support - As an LTS release, Linux Mint 22.3 will receive security updates until 2029.
• Audio - Continues the transition to PipeWire as the default sound server for modern audio handling.

Testing and Availability

As this is a Beta release, it is intended for testing and feedback rather than production environments. The Linux Mint team uses this period to squash bugs before the stable release, which is expected around the Christmas holidays.

Users currently on Linux Mint 22, 22.1, or 22.2 will be able to perform an "in-place" upgrade to the stable version of 22.3 via the Update Manager once it is officially released.