MX Linux is a midweight, desktop-orientedLinux distribution based onDebianStable 13 "trixie" that emphasizes stability, performance, and ease of use. MX Linux uses coreantiX components, with additional software created or packaged by the MX community.[2] The development of MX Linux is a collaborative effort between theantiX and formerMEPIS communities. The MX name comes from the "M" in MEPIS and the "X" in antiX — an acknowledgment of their roots.
The MX Linux community's stated goal is to produce "a family of operating systems that are designed to combine elegant and efficient desktops with high stability and solid performance". They maintain an active community with comprehensive documentation, support forum, and video tutorials to support diverse user needs.[3]
MX Linux began in a discussion about future options among members of the MEPIS community in December 2013.[4] Developers from antiX then joined them, bringing the ISO build system as well as Live-USB/DVD technology. To be listed on the Linux distribution clearinghouse Web siteDistroWatch, MX Linux was initially presented as a version of antiX called MX "Fusion".[5] It received its own DistroWatch page with the release of the first public beta of MX Linux 16 "Metamorphosis"[5] on 2 November 2016.[6]
MX Linux offers ISO images for installation that can be downloaded directly[7] or by using BitTorrent.[8] Physical discs can also be bought from retailers.[9] Fluxbox, KDE and Xfce are available in 64-bit variants of those releases.[10]
The MX Devs createSnapshots for ease of installation after a release. These begin a few months after a release. Snapshots include all upgrades & subsequent bug fixes. This greatly reduces the time spent and updating bandwidth usage during an installation.[11]
*The MX-14, codename "Symbiosis", series was based on Debian Stable "Wheezy", usingXfce 4.10 and then, with the 14.4 release, Xfce 4.12. The MX-14 versions were intended to fit onto aCD-ROM, which limited the number of applications that could be included. This series saw the gradual evolution of the MX Tools, a collection of utilities to help users with common tasks that are often complicated and obscure.[12]
*MX-15 "Fusion" moved to the new Debian Stable "Jessie" using systemd-shim, meaning thatsystemd is installed, but the default init issysvinit.[4] The size limitation was lifted, enabling the developers to present a full turnkey product. There was a substantial expansion of MX Tools.
*MX-16 "Metamorphosis" was still based on Debian Stable "Jessie", but with many applications backported and added from other sources. There were further refinements to MX Tools, the import of advanced antiX developments, expanded support, and a completely new icon/theme/wallpaper collection.[13][14]
*MX-16.1 collected all bug fixes and improvements since MX-16, added a new kingfisher theme, upgraded and streamlined MX Tools, revised documentation, and added new translations.[15]
*MX-17 "Horizon" changed its base toDebian 9 (Stretch) and brought upgraded artwork, new MX Tools, improved Live operation viaantiX and other changes.[16]
*MX-18 "Continuum" continued the development of MX Tools, introduced a new kernel, enabled whole disk encryption, and addedGRUB themes, splash functionality through MX Boot options artwork, and improved localization.[17]
*MX-19 "Patito feo" upgraded its base to Debian 10 (Buster) and its default desktop to Xfce 4.14. It is characterized by new and revised Tools, artwork, documentation, localization, and technical features.[18]
MX-21 "Wildflower" was released on 21 October 2021. It is based on Debian 11.0 (Bullseye) and is available as Xfce,KDE orFluxbox versions. Disk Manager returns and for share settings, MX Samba Config app (GUI) is included.[19] MX-21.1 was released on 9 April 2022.[20] MX-21.2 was released on 28 August 2022.[21] MX-21.2.1 was released on 18 September 2022.[22] MX-21.3 3rd refresh of MX-21, was released on 14 January 2023.[23]
MX-23 "Libretto" was released on 31 July 2023. Based on Debian 12 with bug fixes, new kernels, and many application updates. Available asXfce (4.18), Xfce AHS,KDE, andFluxbox versions. Further details are in the MX blog.[24] MX-23.1 "Libretto" was released on 15 October 2023. First ISO refresh of the initial MX-23 release.[25]
MX-23.2 "Libretto" was released on 21 January 2024. 2nd ISO refresh of MX-23, consisting of Debian 12.4, bug fixes, newer kernels, updated firmware & mesa libraries, Pipewire 1.0, and two new tools: MX Locale and Papirus Folder Colors.[26] MX-23.3 "Libretto" was released on 19 May 2024. 3rd ISO refresh of MX-23[27] MX-23.4 "Libretto" was released on 15 September 2024. 4th ISO refresh of MX-23[28]
MX-23.5 "Libretto" was released on 13 January 2025. 5th ISO refresh of MX-23, consisting of an update to Debian 12.9, kernel updates, MX Package Installer has UI improvements and better version display for packages, updated Xfce 4.20 core packages, bug fixes, language updates, and many new applications in the MX 'test' repository.[29]
MX-23.6 "Libretto" was released on 13 April 2025. 6th ISO refresh of MX-23, consisting of: update to Debian 12.10, kernel updates, bug fixes, and language updates. UEFI Manager, a new app for managing UEFI settings. Many new applications in the MX 'test' repository.[30][31]
MX-25 "Infinity" was released on 9 November 2025 and was built on Debian 13 "trixie".[32] Standard kernel is 6.12.43 with Liquorix 6.15 for the Advanced Hardware Support "AHS". New is the deb822 sources format. The installer can "replace" an existing install and offerszram swap. Support forSecure Boot. KDE is version 6.3.6 with both Wayland and X11 sessions available. All releases are available withSystemd. The Xfce, Xfce-AHS, and Fluxbox releases are also available in sysVint variants.[33]
MX-25.1 With the release of 25.1, Dual Init is now again possible.[34] This includes bothsystemd andSysVinit[35] init systems on the same ISO.[1]
MX Linux usesXfce as the maindesktop environment, to which it adds a freestandingKDE Plasma version and, in 2021, a stand-aloneFluxbox implementation. Other environments can be added or are available as "spin-off"ISO images.[36]
The four MX Linux editions:
Xfce is a fast and medium-low resource usage desktop environment of Xfce version 4.20 offered as 64-bit ISOs.[37]
KDE a 64-bit Advanced Hardware Support (AHS) version.[23] It currently features version 6.3.6 of the KDE Plasma desktop and Linux kernel 6.12 (or later).[23] Wayland is the default session, but X11 is available from the session chooser on the login screen.[38]
AHS (Advanced Hardware Support), a 64-bit version of Xfce with newer graphics drivers, currently with Linux kernel 6.16 (or newer) and firmware for very recent hardware (for example,AMD Ryzen andAMD Radeon RX graphics cards or 11th/12th/13th generation Intel CPUs).[39]
The MX Linux editions major difference from each other in the following:
6th refresh of MX 23 with many bugfixes. Debian 12.10 "bookworm" base. New MX Tool - UEFI Manager for managing UEFI settings. Updates to: kernel, applications, and firmware.
With MX Linux being based on Debian Stable this provides high reliability and long-term support through rigorously tested packages, with updates focused on security and bug fixes rather than frequent feature additions. At its core, MX Linux integrates key components fromantiX (a lightweight Debian derivative), to create a hybrid architecture. The antiX base contributes to a low-resource boot process and efficient system initialization, allowing MX Linux to run effectively on older hardware while still supporting modern PCs. Kernel options in MX Linux prioritize stability with the Debian 6.12 LTS series. For users with newer hardware, the Advanced Hardware Support (AHS) repository provides access to updated kernels, such as the 6.16 Liquorix variant in MX-25, ensuring broader compatibility without compromising the core stable base.
MX Linux supports installations on bothUEFI[58] and legacy BIOS (MBR) PCs, external drives, USB medium and other block access devices through the graphical Gazelle installer[59]
Handles partitioning and bootloader setup for diverse firmware environments.
The ability to "replace" an existing linux installation by preserving the /home folder. A list of found installations to replace will be used to set up a fresh /root install, with /home folders (or partition) preserved.[61]
Support for 64 bit UEFISecure Boot installation. The "AHS" releases with the Liquorix kernels[62] do not support Secure Boot.
MX Cleanup can now remove: unused dkms drivers (wifi), MX Manuals and FAQs for languages other than the default. MX Linux has aGUI-based method to change theLinux kernel.
MX Tools[63] is a suite of 37+ user-oriented utilities, many of which were developed specifically for MX Linux, while some were forked from existingantiX applications or are existing antiX applications; a couple were imported with permission from outside sources. These tools are also available in Debian Stable-based Linux distributions. The Qt based GUI MX Tools have been migrated to Qt6.
TheMX Tools (see screenshot at right) are as follows:
Live - Live USB maker and Snapshot.
Maintenance - Chroot Rescue Scan, Disk Manager,[64] Job Scheduler, Boot Options,[65] Boot Repair,[66] Cleanup, Samba Config,[67] Service Manager[68] and User Manager.
Setup - About MX Linux, Bash Config, Nvidia driver installer, Conky, Date & Time, Locale, Network Assistant, Select Sound, System Sounds, Tour, Brightness Systray, Tweak, Welcome, Papirus Folder Colors, System Keyboard, and User Installed Packages.
Software - Deb Installer,[69] Fix GPG keys, Package Installer,[41] Repo Manager, Updater Settings, Updater, and UEFI Manager.[70]
MX Boot Repair addresses bootloader issues, supporting both BIOS (legacy) and UEFI systems by reinstalling GRUB or regenerating the Grub configuration file. Launched from a live USB session, it offers options to repair GRUB on the installed system, detect operating systems.[71]
Allows installing GRUB themes and updating boot menus for simpler startup customization and handles a common UEFI boot failure like Windows overtaking Grub in boot menu.[72]
A few tools exist in special cases. Live-USB Kernel Updater and Remaster Control Center are stand-alone tools. Eject USB is a stand-alone tool in Fluxbox and Xfce.
A particularly popular one isMX-snapshot,[73] a GUI tool toremaster a live session or installation into a single .ISO file.[74] The "cloned" image is bootable from a disk or USB flash drive, maintaining all settings, allowing an installation to be completely backed up, and/or distributed with minimal administrative effort, since an advanced method of copying the file system developed by antiX Linux uses bind-mounts to perform the "heavy lifting".[75]
MX Linux can be installed or run "Live" (running from USB), unlike a Windows boot USB. Windows can only be installed (no live option). When booted from a USB, you can continue running 'Live' without being prompted to install MX Linux. This Live environment gives you a fully functional desktop experience. MX Linux accomplishes this by way of a runtime inherited from antiX[76] to give a fast read-write live boot media.[77] This can be coupled with a persistent live USB setup[78] to save any changes to settings and new program additions.[79]
As of November 9, 2025, there are a total of 106 MX Linux repository download mirrors worldwide in operation.[80] The MX Linux operated repos almost always are in sync without error. They are: United States: Los Angeles (CA) & Salt Lake City (UT). Alblasserdam (Netherlands) and Milan (Italy).[81]
GDebi was an APT tool that was used to install .deb files from earlier versions of Debian. Deb Installer, a new MX Tool (GUI) can install local .deb files like the dpkg command, but with access to repositories to resolve dependencies.
Included: MX Package Installer,[41]Synaptic, Deb Installer, Aptitude,[82]APT and Nala.[83] Discover[42] is used on the KDE edition as Synaptic is not installed by default.Flatpaks are managed via the MX Package Installer.AppImage andSnaps are currently user-managed.
This “Ragout2” is a specialized, Debian-based Linux distribution optimized for Raspberry Pi 4, 400, and 5, combining MX Linux's, MX Linux's tools with the Pi's hardware capabilities. It features a lightweight XFCE desktop, Chromium browser, and is noted for being fast, stable, and user-friendly, supporting GPIO and common desktop apps.[84] A tips Wiki article is available.[85] Both a Raspberry Pi and an Orange Pi[86] editions are offered.
Some community members exchange posts at the MX Linux Forum and distribute their own custom respins.[87]
MX Linux forum user Senpai[88] has created a Raspberry Pi respin using MX Linux 25 as it's base.[89]
AV Linux is a Linux distribution based on MX Linux, focusing on multimedia content creation.[90][91]
Commodore OS Vision is a community-driven Linux distribution for Commodore enthusiasts.
extrox[92] uses the Xfce desktop with theCompizcompositing window manager resulting in a rich desktop environment with the look and feel of KDE Plasma, but having the advantage of minimizing system resource usage.[93]
iDeal OS - a custom & enhanced "respin" of MX Linux with privacy and security settings enhancements.[94]
MX-Moksha 23.6 - MX Linux+Bodhi Linux/Moksha with a Liquorix Kernel, extra system tweaks, and custom utilities WITH NO Audio and Video production applications or Plugins.[95]
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^Markus Diem (14 November 2025)."nomacs/nomacs". Vienna: GitHub. Retrieved15 November 2025.
^easymodo (13 November 2025)."easymodo/qimgv". Ukraine: GitHub. Retrieved15 November 2025.
^Wiki Staff (2 February 2025)."LTS - Debian Wiki".wiki.debian.org. Debian.Org. Retrieved25 June 2025.Debian Long Term Support (LTS) is a project to extend the lifetime of all Debian stable releases to (at least) 5 years.
