Linux Mint unpacks LMDE 7 “Gigi”, its 100% Debian edition. The idea has always been the same: to offer the Mint you love… but without Ubuntu underneath. A solid Plan B if Canonical changes the game — and a very credible Plan A if you prefer the pure Debian spirit. This edition ships on Debian 13 “Trixie”, embeds Linux 6.12, and borrows most of the refinements of Mint 22.2 on the UI and apps.
The notable changes (no fluff)
- Debian 13 base + 6.12 LTS kernel Recent hardware better supported, from modern laptops to current AMD GPUs. The base change also gives access to Debian 13 repositories, stable and plentiful.
- /tmp in RAM & auto-cleanLike Debian 13, /tmp now lives in memory, with automatic purge (10 days for
/tmp, 30 for/var/tmp). Compilations and video editing gain speed. - APT 3.0 (solver3) and colored outputThe package manager becomes smarter at resolving dependencies… and more readable in the terminal (color codes, progress bars).
- UI finish based on Mint 22.2Blur on the login screen, user portraits, libadwaita finally respected by Mint themes, uniform colored accents, Wayland more mature (Sticky works, rounded corners, etc.).
- Fingwit (fingerprints) + Hypnotix refinedUnlocking/
sudowith a finger, IPTV with “Theater” and “Borderless” modes. The Software Manager clarifies better Flatpak vs system packages. - OEM installations supportedLMDE can now be preinstalled by vendors (or to ship a ready-to-use PC).
Who is it for, why?
- You love Mint but you prefer the Debian stability → LMDE 7 checks the boxes.
- You want a clean and simple 64-bit only system (goodbye to old 32-bit machines) → it’s enforced on Debian 13.
- You’re looking for a “set & forget” distro with a recent Cinnamon and solid apps → welcome.
System requirements (useful reminder)
- RAM : 2 GB (4 GB recommended)
- Storage : 20 GB (100 GB recommended)
- Display : 1024×768 minimum (ALT to move windows if it exceeds)
- Architecture : 64-bit only
Download LMDE 7
The images (direct ISO and torrents) are available on the Linux Mint site and mirrors. Choose the Cinnamon edition (the only one on LMDE).
Upgrade from LMDE 6 (Faye)
Update the indexes:
Install the Mint upgrade tool:
sudo apt install mintupgrade
Run the upgrade assistant (follow the steps, backup recommended).
Two words on stability and pace
LMDE moves at the Debian tempo: fewer surprises, long-tested packages, and a Mint that keeps its signature (themes, XApps, Cinnamon). If you need ultra-fresh versions of certain apps, Flatpak remains there to supplement. On the core system side (kernel, APT), “Gigi” already benefits from the key novelties of Debian 13 and Linux 6.12.
LMDE 7 is Mint without a safety net: the same polished experience, but on a Debian base. Between APT 3.0, the UI refinements, Fingwit and OEM support, “Gigi” isn’t just a rebuild — it’s a serious proposition for anyone wanting a durable, discreet Mint, and a boring-in-a-good-way vibe. If you were still weighing Mint “Ubuntu” against LMDE, this release makes the balance frankly interesting.
A quick nod to Adrien (Linuxtricks) who breaks down LMDE 7 with the rigor he’s known for. If you love Mint with Debian sauce, his channel is well worth subscribing — swing by his channel if you want to go further.
And you, LMDE 7 “Gigi”… what does it look like? Tell us if the installation went smoothly. Share your feedback in the comments
