Linux Mint is a stable, reliable, and user-friendly Linux distro that provides a smooth transition for Windows users coming to Linux. But despite giving it several honest tries, I just don’t seem to like it. Here’s why Linux Mint and I just don’t click, despite its objective merits.

This “Windows replacement” looks a lot like Windows

Linux Mint feels like moving to a new city but decorating your apartment exactly like your old one! In other words, I don’t see the point of this exercise.

Don’t get me wrong—Linux Mint as an OS is fine, in the sense that it’s built on solid foundations and does everything expected of an OS. It supports almost all the tools you need for desktop computing and functions without major hiccups—all the practical qualities you’d want in an operating system. The problem, however, is just that—Linux Mint is more substance, less style!

When I use an operating system, I am not just seeking something that works—I can get that with Windows or macOS. I am looking for something that feels fresh and exciting, that will feel nice to use as I toil away eight hours of my life sitting in front of it every single day. I want an operating system that’s fun and adapts to my needs and requirements.

Linux Mint nails the basics of what it means to be an operating system, but it’s just not as flexible as I’d like it to be. It lacks the personality and liveliness that I crave from my operating system. It tries to capture the traditional desktop metaphor reminiscent of Windows 7 and XP—which it admittedly nails. Unfortunately, that’s the thing I am trying to leave behind in search of a new desktop computing paradigm.

Customization options are somewhat limited

Let me build the desktop I need!

If I had to be more specific, my main qualms with Linux Mint are its desktop environments. When downloading Linux Mint, you have access to three desktop environments—Cinnamon, MATE, and Xfce. All three carry the same Windows 7 and XP-style desktop layout. Granted, Cinnamon is more polished than the others, but they look more or less the same with a design that feels decades old at this point.

In comparison, KDE Plasma (another desktop environment) is also Windows 7-ish with its default layout, but it manages to look fresh and modern. The desktop environment is also loaded with an insane amount of customization options. With access to hundreds (possibly more) themes, widgets, and customization scripts, you can not only give KDE Plasma a complete design overhaul, but also add tons of useful features to the computing experience.

And it’s not just Plasma! GNOME—the desktop environment for Ubuntu, also provides more customization freedom compared to Cinnamon, MATE, and Xfce. Granted, GNOME does require you to download a couple of apps—GNOME Tweaks and GNOME extensions—to unlock its full customizable potential. However, there are no apps or easy fixes to Linux Mint’s relatively limited customizability problem.

It’s beginner-friendly, but I’m not a beginner

Let me play the role of a power user

I consider myself a power user and want as much control over my operating system as I can. I want to get under the hood, tweak settings, and make my system bend to my workflow rather than adapt to the system’s limitations.

In fact, this lack of control is one of the reasons why I ditched Windows. Microsoft has been steadily removing user control, forcing updates, pushing cloud integration, and limiting what you can modify. For example, did you know that in Windows 11, you can’t move the taskbar to the right or left edge of the screen? It just sits at the bottom. Why? Especially when Windows 10 had this feature?

Now, Linux Mint is far more open, flexible, and customizable than Windows, but there are still some guardrails. I want a robust plugin system (or extensions library) from which I can download and install stuff I need to add new features to my desktop. I want a collection of modern-looking and functional widgets to make the desktop more useful. I want access to tons of themes that I can mix and match to spice up my desktop’s look and feel when I get bored. I want powerful multitasking features as I juggle multiple tasks for multiple clients. Unfortunately, Linux Mint’s flexibility doesn’t reach this far.

Of course, you can customize Linux Mint and extend its functionality—it’s Linux after all. However, it’s not as straightforward as with KDE Plasma or GNOME, which have these features built into the operating system.

It values stability over cutting-edge features

I like to live Linux on the edge

I enjoy staying on the cutting edge—getting the latest software updates quickly, testing new features, and experiencing the newest improvements as soon as they arrive. That’s harder to do with an LTS-based (Long Term Support) distro like Linux Mint.

Linux Mint is built on Ubuntu LTS, which prioritizes stability over frequent updates. This makes perfect sense for many users—especially in professional environments where reliability is more important than state-of-the-art. However, for someone like me, it feels like Mint keeps me always a step behind. That’s why I prefer rolling-release distributions like Arch, or at least those with more frequent update cycles, like Fedora, where new software arrives without long delays.

Yes, Linux Mint does allow users to install newer applications through Flatpaks and AppImages, but the core system remains LTS-based and doesn’t update as frequently as distros like Arch or Fedora. Furthermore, I much prefer repository packages over Flatpaks and AppImages because of the smaller footprint and better system integration.

I don’t love Linux Mint—but you might!

Different strokes, and all that

Just because I dislike Linux Mint doesn’t mean you have to agree! That’s the beauty of having so many distros. Linux is all about choice and finding the distribution that best fits your specific needs and preferences.

It’s perfectly okay to like Linux Mint, and I say more power to you! If you value stability, ease of use, and a familiar interface over bleeding-edge features and extensive customization, Linux Mint might be exactly what you’re looking for.

It’s an excellent distro for people who are new to Linux, want a Windows replacement, and an OS that just works with minimum hassle. It excels at providing a smooth experience without requiring users to learn complex commands or spend hours tweaking settings.

Find the distro you deserve

Considering what it set out to do, Linux Mint serves its purpose admirably. The issue is that I am not among its target audience. But that’s okay! And the reason I emphasize this is because, as you use Linux, you’ll find some distros that are heavily praised, but it just doesn’t click for you. This is bound to happen given how distros are focused on specific user types and use cases. At the same time, this diversity of Linux distros means there’s a distro for everyone—whether you’re a tinkerer like me or someone who just wants a reliable computing experience without the hassle.