Linux Mint COMPREHENSIVE Introduction

[@edalder2000]

Linux Mint has sane defaults and listens to its community. I keep coming back to Mint and have settled on LMDE 6. Mint gets out of my way and "just works." Excellent distro for beginners and anyone else.

[@CanuckGod]

That's a fair assessment, and I have LM on my mom's PC and on my older laptop. For what I want to do for day-to-day and with my current monitor setup (thus my using Wayland), it's not quite enough and I'm running Fedora 40 (KDE) on my main PC now, but Mint is a solid distro that I'd highly recommend.

[@reekinronald6776]

For people who just want Linux as tool and not a "hobby", nothing better than Mint.

[@fabricio4794]

​@@reekinronald6776 im a Graphic Designer,Social Media Graphical Content,DJ,Linux Mint works fine for me...this OS makes money

[@ushilives3]

Thanks for making this video. Linux mint seems the gold standard for beginners.

[@paulpentz4485]

I agree, Mint is great for beginners. But it lets you go as deep into Linux as you want.

[@tonywise198]

@@paulpentz4485 Yes it is great for beginners but also great for more experienced users. I was a Windows user from the days of MS-DOS 3 and Windows 3.0 on a 286 PC, and have dabbled with Mint since v17 but started using it exclusively in 2020. I have no inclination to Distro hop as Mint is just a comfortable fit for me. The same can be applied to LMDE as well. It is so relaxing not to have to deal with the shenanigans of Windows these days.

[@joeschmoe7324]

Hey listen, when installing do the following. Make a root partition ie / of at least 50gb. then make a /home partition from the rest ot the free space its analogous to having windows on C: and Users on D: drive. IF your root partition dies and you reinstall you will only need to format the root partition pick the assign /home again and repeat the same steps to setup your login exactly as you did the first time. when you log back into your system you desktop will be as you left it. If you have software that has yet to be reinstalled Like brave your settings for it are there but your obviously settings are useless until you have the program installed.

[@istvantorok4819]

And when you install a new system your config files may be not compatible with that. No need in Mint for such tricks. Use Timeshift. If your system breaks, boot from Live media, start Timeshift from there, and restore the whole system from Timeshift backup folder / drive. You can even restore to an another drive if your original drive is faulty.

[@tonywise198]

@joeschmoe7324 This would go over the heads of new users, which this video is for. Just keep it simple and install the defaults.

[@brianthecomputergeek1493]

Hey Tom: Nice video, I just added it to my course shell for the Spring semester Linux class here at your favorite, (I hope) College, keep them coming.

[@SwitchedtoLinux]

Awesome. If you have other ideas I would love to hear them!

[@FerriteCrowe]

I was looking up Mint guides yesterday. You really came through in the nick of time.

[@PopsSinging]

I have been using LM 22.1 Beta since it came out. This has been the most stable Beta I have used yet. I haven't had a single problem with it.

[@czos9239]

Mint's great! Typing from it currently. Only had one hiccup (I think it was flatpaks) that they fixed next day. (Which actually helped me realize the use of appimages for when I want static installs that don't update.) Incredible.

[@glitchygrub]

Been loving LMDE since your last video about it a few months ago. It's so good. It just works for everything I need it to.

[@tonywise198]

It is 11 Jan 25 and 22.1 has completed beta (latest Blog Post this evening UK time). We should see stable release this coming week. Yayh.

[@iamrain6358]

Perfect timing for me. I just installed mint yesterday

[@DuXQaK]

Unless you have good reasons to use a different distro, you usually can't go wrong choosing Mint... and that's been the case for a mighty long time.

[@marcob.1012]

Thanks for the video. Not everybody has the paitence or time to find out what works and what dont.

[@Marshall1914]

I've been really enjoying LMDE 6.

[@Catinthehackmatrix]

Recently I have upgraded my linux mint, but not sure if it has updated amd graphics even since getting a new card. The main thing with graphics is the missing software,not to mention the games that dont run on Linux.

[@PC4USE1]

A nice guide,I migrated to Linux Mint after Win 7 died and it is Linux but very familiar to someone coming over from the Microsoft world.

[@thatoneannoyingtornadosire8755]

can't go wrong with mint, it's been my starter linux experience since the middle of last year and i don't have the need to switch. the forums are the cherry on top with how tame they are and troubleshooting at worst has taken me around an hour.

[@notsatch]

Nicely done. I bought a new laptop about a month ago. After a week on Windows 11, I upgraded to Linux Mint 22. I put Windows To Go on an external USB C SSD so I can boot Windows only when necessary to do things like BIOS updates. Otherwise, Mint is a fantastic option for me.

[@michaelstoliker971]

Excellent video. I'm recommending to my sisters and daughter.

[@fsfan7384]

wow that was cool awesome job! you showed me a few things i didnt even know i look forward to part 2 (insert topic here) i reciently screwed up the shortcut to my terminal so i decided it would be a good time to test the timeshift app , lol that was a trip seeing it Delete a CRAPTON of /var/lib/whatever-else-was-there lol

[@SifatUllah-12]

I first installed Linux during COVID, it was a Ubuntu install. I had it installed for about 10-15 minutes, and then I was done with it. Not because Ubuntu was bad, but because, as a new to Linux user, Ubuntu didn't guide me at all. I didn't know what to do. And it had me frustrated. Then after 2021 I gave Linux another try, this time with Linux Mint. And it was not a smooth journey, but not as confusing as Ubuntu. I had to install the GPU driver, and Linux Mint just showed me a notification! I suddenly knew that why my desktop felt so laggy. And then the welcome screen was actually getting me things done, unlike Ubuntu's useless welcome app. It's just these little touches that make Linux Mint better than Ubuntu in many ways, other than stripping out snaps.

[@peterschmidt9942]

Nicely explained - especially about the type of updates in the Out of the box it looks like Windows 7 which will please a lot of folks and I can now see why people like it. But after fart arsing around with LM in a VM for a bit it's got some strange concepts compared to KDE - but I think that's just Gnome in general. I really wanted to give Mint a go as there seems to be more apps with Debian, but some things about LM still put me off as a daily driver. At least I finally worked out how to add network drives - it's not add to favourites, or pin which would have been my first thoughts but Mount. I still don't understand why they have the other options when they don't always work? There's also a lot of conflicting file permissions- like adding fonts to your font directory. Much easier on KDE. Even installing Dolphin I get conflicting directory contents compared to the native Files 😂. Another thing that gets me is trying to change a password that was created 4-characters long when I set it up and now when you try and change it to another 4-chatacter it's too short and won't let you do it LOL. Its Windows all over. For mine, LM is stuck in 1990 and Windows 7 users will surely be in heaven. Personally I think if you were switching from Windows 10 or 11 a KDE DE would be more appropriate. I'm certainly sticking to KDE BTW Mirror speed generally depend on where in the world you are. If you're in the US then those will generally be faster for you. If you're outside as I am, it's always good to test the connection and pick the fastest.

[@CatEarDad]

Ive been on lmde6 for a while does this count? 😂

[@SwitchedtoLinux]

There are a few minor differences: 1.) LMDE does not have the driver manager, as that is from Ubuntu 2.) The core package base is different (LMDE is Debian, not Ubuntu) 3.) On LMDE, you have to manually install the multi-media codecs if you are doing audio. That will be in the menu.

[@epytaffskitchenstink]

This is a great learning tool for a newbie like me. Looking to ease into Linux with a used laptop and then install Linux on my other machines. Funny thing, I went into a local independant computer store here the other day looking for a decent used laptop to start my Linux journey on. There was a guy sitting behind the counter about as young as me pushing 70, I asked him if he could install Linux on a laptop, he replied. "You mean a furnace?" I found out later it was the kid who owned the stores Grandfather just helping the kid out for the afternoon. This is why it's important to stay on top of tech stuff til the end.

[@CraigRodmellMusic]

This answered one or two questions I had. Thanks very much. However, one piece of information that I still don't have is: how to install programs that are NOT in the software store. This is something I will almost certainly have to do; and so far I have been unable to get any information as to how to do it. Most tutorials I have seen just merely talk about installing stuff that is in the software store. I'm hoping someone can point me in the direction of how to do that. Thanks in advance.

[@Johnny-es9xg]

If it is a .deb file its as easy as double clicking and choosing the first option for a package installer, then press ok and click install when the grayed out option becomes black. Similar as installing windows applications. Just set the first option as a default option to install .deb packages.

[@CraigRodmellMusic]

@@Johnny-es9xg Thanks for that!

[@SwitchedtoLinux]

See if this video helps: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKiyoWdsraagoa8

[@CraigRodmellMusic]

@@SwitchedtoLinux Thanks. I'll give that a look! Edit: I can't help thinking that the microphone you were using then looks like the Sputnik satellite spacecraft!

[@peterjansen4826]

A 32 GB SSD, I never had such a low capacity SSD. In the last 4 or so years the '1 TB' and '2 TB' SSD's had the lowest $/GB, around 2016/2017 the 450-500 GB had the lowest $/GB.

[@rmkofmd1398]

Only reason I still need Windows is for TurboTax. I wish they would port it to Linux.

[@pw3111]

Connecting to wireless is not as easy as clicking the icon and selecting a wireless network. I spent hours trying to find the correct driver for my wireless card as Mint did not install it on install. In fact, I had to purchase a USB wireless dongle as no amount of searching could find a way to get drivers for my onboard wireless card.

[@SwitchedtoLinux]

That is extremely rare. You probably have a broadcom card, which are not supported well in Linux. Your situation is very rare and niche.

[@EriksBlue]

Could you make some timestamps for what your covering so I can quickly ref back to thing without having to scrub the video.

[@SwitchedtoLinux]

They are usually timestamped, but I had some interesting time constraints and I didnt see enough complete separation in this one to make them.

[@jmrod071955]

Question for you, if you will answer. I want to install a 1tb MVME ssd on my computer as I have a 500gb drive now as the main drive. Is there a way to completely back up my small drive with Mint 22 and restore to my new drive, not just the data but the whole drive so that I do not have to completely redo the whole system?

[@johnsmith-gs4qf]

Clone the older drive to the newer drive?

[@SwitchedtoLinux]

Yes, I covered that exact topic here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaGviaeFfc-jic0

[@fabricio4794]

First Things First : 1 Change the Wallpaper(download a pack) 2 Change the Folders Colour. 3 install Themes in Settings. ...only use Mint after this.

[@kwpctek9190]

To bad this was on beta. Mint blog just announced 22.1 is being finalized with about 170 fixes addressed with a few more days till ISO's are on the mirrors.

[@SwitchedtoLinux]

Yep, I saw that today. Once the official is released I will give it a week and then do an in-place upgrade on my mint edge computer.

[@sfmaster4838]

Until one of the major anti-virus companies comes up with a product for Linux, it will remain a niche OS. Do you really feel safe doing your internet purchasing or banking without some form of protection?

[@SwitchedtoLinux]

You TOTALLY misunderstand cyber security. 1.) Detectable viruses are months behind when they are active. They have to have done all their harm to show up in a definitions list on an AV program 2.) Most viruses and issues are WINDOWS EXECUTABLEs, that do not even run on Linux. They literally do nothing. 3.) The most common issues with computer malware is failure to recognize a phishing page. 4.) The issues with Internet Purchase malware are not on MY COMPUTER they are on the COMPANY SERVER. Linux is more secure for internet purchasing and banking.

[@woopwopwopwooop435]

Snapshot, do one in the begining, to have in case, then switch it off. It takes hella time n slows down machine.

[@istvantorok4819]

I have a HP laptop with 6. gen processor, 1 TB SSD with Linux Mint, and a separate HDD for snapshots. Timeshift runs daily backups (with all user files) and not experiencing deceleration.

[@johnsmith-gs4qf]

@@istvantorok4819 Timeshift only takes 5-10 minutes on my laptop (and it's backing up on a slow micro sd card).

[@woopwopwopwooop435]

@@istvantorok4819 I have dual core n 4gb ram LOL

[@ushilives3]

Can anyone suggest a cheap laser printer that is good for ink costs? Even if its just black ink only.

[@soloflo]

Inkjet will always be cheaper. But for laser you can consider the ones that separate toner from drum. The drum replacement is expensive when it’s part of the toner cartridge.

[@mattpobursky850]

Brother printers have been extremely reliable and cost effective for me. I always make sure to get one with a hardwires network port. They have been plug & play in Linux Mint for at least 5 years now. I gave up on inkjets about 15 years ago

[@ushilives3]

@@mattpobursky850 is it any Brother Laser printer? I will get a small one

[@SwitchedtoLinux]

I use this one: amzn.to/4gU23kC Brother HL-L2405- Works with Linux out of the box, and you can set the system to ignore low-toner warnings, and it takes third party toner cartridges without a problem.

[@ushilives3]

@@SwitchedtoLinux Thanks dude!

[@mariojpalomares2514]

btrfs snapshot or nothing. Unlike traditional snapshots. There is no copying and restore. Its all about subvolumes. With btrfs, its all about booting into subvols like a cd changer. And because there is no copying involved. It is as fast as a reboot. Just select reboot and done.

[@tonywise198]

Again, this would go over the heads of new users, which this video is for. Use Timeshift for system restore points and keep backups of your data.

[@mariojpalomares2514]

@tonywise198 its actually more simpler than that. Its really simple.

[@tonywise198]

@@mariojpalomares2514 I would agree with you, but for beginners, not so much!

[@SwitchedtoLinux]

If I am remembering correctly, you can install Linux Mint with btrfs, so it would work great in that case. Not totally sure about that, but there are more options to install that are not ext, though 22.1 drops zfs

[@mariojpalomares2514]

When selecting btrfs from the advanced options in the ubiquity installer. It will automatically setup the sub vols for you without ever thinking about it. Once you reboot for the very first time. timeshift is ready to be used with btrfs and that's pretty much it. No commands, no terminal. I been using btrfs for more than 4 years on mint. Nothing but amazement from this filesystem. subvols is a game changer (and it really is a changer when you really do start creating snapshots lol) The way btrfs snapshots works is when you create a snapshot. It is creating a snapshot inside a subvol. so when let say you screwed up your system or a bad system update packages etc. You simply run timeshift and select restore. What is happening behind the scenes. Its rotating the subvols like a disc changer. And when you reboot. Its rebooting to the rotated subvol that you created before the bad package update. Since nothing is ever written to disk, it is instant. Takes about a second to create and as quick as a reboot to restore. Speaking of disk and write cycles on ssd's. using btrfs will drastically increase the lifespan of your ssd because of its subvol features. In fact; When the ubiquity installer was setting up btrfs. Your mint installation is inside a subvol with @ and @home A truly amazing filesystem.

[@alternatuber6698]

I would use LM if it brings KDE and BTRFS + Snapper support default. But still LM is great.

[@zorannajdovski6827]

👍😺

[@brucey39]

Does it recognize most printers and scanners . I want to get away from windows .

[@trevorford8332]

I was using linux mint until i spilt gravy over my laptop, had to buy a Cello m1118 netbook, and install Linux Lite 7.2!!!

[@woopwopwopwooop435]

Lite is the worst! LOL Xfce Mint is so good, bb. Forget Manjaro, Xubuntu...

[@Catinthehackmatrix]

You ever tried puppy Linux? It's kind of as basic as you can get..Lubuntu is also pretty basic.

[@woopwopwopwooop435]

@@Catinthehackmatrix Puppy was my first, since my 2004 laptop couldnt bear anything heavier. It is still on that laptop, dualboot with XP :)

[@bryang3635]

I have Windows 10 and with the end of support date around the corner on October 14, 2025 snd my current laptop ineligible to upgrade to Windows 11 due to the processor. I am going to switch to Linux instead of spending a lot of money on a new laptop. Microsoft Windows is way too overrated and Linux Mint 22.1 will receive security patches and updates all the way until 2029 and it us very similar to Windows 10.