How to Upgrade to Linux Mint 21 “Vanessa”
A major new version of Linux Mint is now available! Based on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, Linux Mint 21 brings a modest amount of changes and improvements to an already fantastic Linux distribution.
While you’re able to always do a clean install, what if you want to avoid backing up all your files and re-installing all your applications?
Thankfully, the Linux Mint team released a handy tool to upgrade from version 20.3 “Una” to version 21 “Vanessa”. Here’s how to use it.
How Linux Mint Upgrades Work
Based on Ubuntu LTS, Linux Mint only receives a major new version every two years, with minor updates released every six months.
To upgrade from one major version to another, you have to be caught up on the latest minor version. This means that users can only upgrade to Mint 21 “Vanessa” from 20.3 “Una”.
Luckily, you don’t have to perform upgrades for every minor version. For example, users can upgrade from version 20 “Ulyana” directly to 20.3 “Una” before upgrading to 21 “Vanessa”.
Step 1: Upgrade to Linux Mint 20.3
As with any in-place operating system upgrade, you should always check that to have the latest updates for your current version before initiating the upgrade process.
Alternatively, you canuse the GUI to update Linux Mint.
Step 2: Install the Mint Upgrade Tool
Enter the following command in a terminal:
Type in your password if prompted and pressYto install. After the installation finishes, the Linux Mint Upgrade Tool would be ready to use.
Step 3: Upgrade to Linux Mint 21
To upgrade your Linux Mint 20.3 system to 21, enter the following command:
Enter your password when prompted, and the graphical upgrade tool should launch.
Follow the steps below to upgrade your system to Linux Mint 21:
If everything went smoothly, you should be greeted with a success screen and asked to reboot. Do so now.
Step 4: Uninstall the Linux Mint Upgrade Tool
When your computer successfully boots into Linux Mint 21, you can remove the Upgrade Tool by entering:
Enter your password if prompted and pressYto continue. When the uninstallation is complete,reboot your Linux machineusing:
Welcome to Linux Mint 21!
You should now have successfully upgraded your Linux Mint installation to version 21 “Vanessa” from version 20.3 “Una”.
Users of older versions of Linux Mint can update to the latest minor release, and use the same process to upgrade to the next major version.
Now is a great time to check out what Linux Mint 21 has to offer, other than allowing you to install your favorite applications and customize the Cinnamon desktop to your liking.
Want to tweak the appearance of the Cinnamon desktop but not sure how? Check out these eight tips to completely transform the look of your system.
You don’t need to fork out for expensive hardware to run an AI on your PC.
Don’t let someone else take over your phone number.
Goodbye sending links via other apps.
Lose your laptop without this feature, and you’ll wish you had turned it on.
When your rival has to bail out your assistant.
