Forget Windows 11 - Linux Mint 22.3 Just Changed Everything

Windows 11 keeps adding features nobody asked for while removing ones everyone needs. Meanwhile, Linux Mint 22.3 "Zena" just dropped - and it's making the switch easier than ever.
 

Let's be honest about Windows 11. Start menu ads. Forced Microsoft account requirements.

Copilot you can't fully disable. Recall taking screenshots of everything you do.

If you've experienced the nightmare that is Windows 11 setup, you already know the frustration is real - and it's only getting worse with every update.

Linux Mint 22.3 "Zena" arrives at the perfect moment.

Built on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS with support until 2029, it offers something Microsoft seems to have forgotten how to deliver - a desktop that respects your time, privacy, and hardware.

No Bloat. No Ads. No Telemetry.

Fresh Windows 11 installations come loaded with Candy Crush, TikTok links, and promotional tiles you never wanted.

Linux Mint 22.3 ships with exactly what you need and nothing more. No pre-installed games begging for microtransactions. No "suggestions" in your Start menu. Just a clean, functional desktop ready to work.

The Cinnamon 6.4 desktop environment feels immediately familiar to Windows users. The taskbar sits at the bottom.

The application menu works like you'd expect. Right-click does what right-click should do. There's no learning curve - just relief.
 

Ready to Try?

You can test Linux Mint without touching your Windows installation. Create a bootable USB with Ventoy or Rufus, boot from it, and experience the full desktop.

If you like it, install. If not, remove the USB and you're back to Windows.

Your Old PC Runs Like New Again

Windows 11's hardware requirements left millions of perfectly good computers behind.

TPM 2.0 chips and specific CPU requirements turned functional machines into "unsupported" devices overnight. Linux Mint doesn't play those games.

That 2015 laptop struggling with Windows 10? It'll fly with Linux Mint 22.3.

The Xfce edition received major improvements in this release, making it the perfect choice for older hardware. Better panel handling, improved multi-monitor support, and lower memory usage mean your existing computer gets a second life.

All Your Media Just Works

Linux Mint doesn’t magically play everything, but it handles most common audio and video formats right away.

MP3, MP4, MKV, FLAC and more work out of the box, without codec hunting or mysterious playback problems.

For more advanced needs, VLC Media Player covers most odd or uncommon formats, and HandBrake makes it easy to convert videos when compatibility is an issue.

Want to turn that old PC into a media center? Kodi transforms Linux Mint into a living room powerhouse that puts Windows Media Center's grave to shame.

Updates That Don't Hold You Hostage

Linux Mint updates when you want, not when Microsoft decides your meeting can wait. No forced restarts. No "Working on updates - 45%" screens at the worst possible moment. No features removed because the cloud said so.

The Update Manager shows exactly what's changing before anything installs.

Don't want a particular update? Skip it. Want to wait until the weekend? No problem. Your computer, your rules - a concept Windows 11 has completely abandoned.

Not Ready to Leave Windows Entirely?

We get it - some workflows require Windows, and switching cold turkey isn't always practical. If you need to keep Windows around but want to reclaim some sanity, you have options.

Tools like WinSlop can safely debloat Windows without breaking updates, while our Windows privacy settings guide helps you stop the worst data collection in minutes.

Making the Switch

Switching doesn't mean losing your files or starting from scratch. Linux Mint reads Windows drives and network shares.

Your documents, photos, and music transfer easily. Most web-based tools - Google Docs, Microsoft 365 online, Spotify - work identically in Firefox or Chrome on Linux.

For Windows-only applications, solutions exist. But you might be surprised how many alternatives handle things better.

LibreOffice opens your Word documents. GIMP handles photo editing. And unlike their Windows counterparts, none of them nag you about subscriptions.

Download Linux Mint 22.3 "Zena" from the official website.

Choose the Cinnamon edition for the most Windows-like experience, or Xfce if your hardware needs something lighter.

Either way, you're getting what Windows users increasingly realize they've lost - a desktop that actually works for them.