Linux Mint is one of the easiest ways to escape the constant upgrade grind and data-hungry operating systems (OS) most computers ship with today. This guide walks you through:

1. What Linux Mint is
2. Why it matters (especially for privacy and control)
3. What you can actually do with it
4. Step-by-step: how to install Linux Mint on your computer

1. What is Linux Mint?

Linux Mint is a free, open-source desktop operating system (OS) based on Ubuntu and Debian (two long-running, stable Linux families).

A few key points:

• Looks and feels familiar – If you have used Microsoft Windows, Mint’s Cinnamon desktop will feel natural: a menu button, taskbar, system tray, folders, right-click menus.
• Free to download and use – No licenses, subscriptions, or activation keys.
• Community-driven – Built and maintained by a community, not a giant advertising company.
• Stable and low-drama – Designed to be predictable and reliable, not constantly reinventing its interface.

In normal-person terms: Linux Mint turns your computer into a fast, quiet, ad-free work machine that mostly just does what you tell it to.

2. Why Linux Mint is important (and why you might want it)

2.1. More privacy, less data harvesting

Most mainstream operating systems (OS) now collect a lot of telemetry and usage data by default. Linux Mint:

• Does not track your activity to sell ads.
• Has no built-in advertising ID following you between apps.
• Lets you choose which services to connect to (and which not to).

You can still use big-name services if you want (Google, Microsoft, etc.), but the system itself is not designed as a marketing funnel.

2.2. You control the system, not the other way around

With Linux Mint you can:

• Decide when to update (and what to update).
• Install software from open, auditable sources.
• Keep using your computer even if the manufacturer has abandoned it.

You are not locked into one app store or one company’s rules. If you want a different browser, office suite, or media player, you just install it.

2.3. It makes old hardware useful again

Linux Mint runs well on older hardware that struggles with newer versions of Microsoft Windows:

• Lighter on random access memory (RAM).
• Less background bloat and auto-starting processes.
• Perfect for a “second life” laptop or desktop.

If you have an older computer lying around, Mint is one of the best ways to turn it into a useful daily machine again.

3. What runs on Linux Mint?

Short answer: pretty much everything a normal person needs.

3.1. Web browsing

You can run:

• Firefox web browser (default)
• Chromium (the open-source base of Google Chrome)
• Brave, Vivaldi, and other privacy-focused browsers

You can still use your usual websites: email, banking, social media, streaming, etc.

3.2. Office and productivity

Out of the box, Linux Mint includes LibreOffice, a full office suite with:

• Writer (word processor)
• Calc (spreadsheets)
• Impress (presentations)

You can also use:

• OnlyOffice for Microsoft Office-style compatibility
• Web-based Microsoft 365 (online) if you really need it

3.3. Email, chat, and communication

• Thunderbird for email
• Web versions of Gmail, Outlook, etc.
• Signal, Telegram, and other messaging apps are available as installs
• Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and similar tools have Linux versions or browser versions

3.4. Media and creativity

• VLC for video playback
• Audacity for audio recording and editing
• GIMP for image editing (a Photoshop-style tool)
• Inkscape for vector graphics
• Krita for digital painting

3.5. Gaming

Gaming on Linux Mint is much better than it used to be:

• Steam runs on Linux and includes Proton, a compatibility layer that lets many Windows games run.
• Many indie games are released with native Linux versions.

If you are a super-serious gamer, you might still want Microsoft Windows on a second machine or in a dual-boot setup, but for casual and mid-level gaming Mint can do a lot.

4. Before you install Linux Mint

4.1. What you will need

• A computer (laptop or desktop) with:
• 4 GB (gigabytes) of RAM (random access memory) minimum (8 GB is better)
• At least 20 GB of free space on your hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD)
• A USB (Universal Serial Bus) flash drive with at least 4–8 GB capacity
• A second computer (optional but helpful) to create the USB installer
• A stable internet connection to download Linux Mint

4.2. Back up your data

If you are going to erase the disk and replace your current operating system (OS) with Linux Mint, back up everything first:

• Documents, photos, and videos
• Browser bookmarks
• Anything on the desktop you care about

Use an external drive, cloud storage, or another computer. Once you erase the disk, your old data is gone.

5. Step 1 – Download Linux Mint

1. Go to the official Linux Mint website (search “Linux Mint download” in your browser).
2. On the download page, you will see several editions. For most people:

• Choose Cinnamon Edition – this is the most popular and beginner-friendly desktop.

1. Choose a download mirror near your region and download the .iso file (the disk image).

Optional but recommended for advanced users: verify the integrity of the download with checksums, as described on the Mint site. If you do not know what that means yet, you can skip it for a first-time install.

6. Step 2 – Create a bootable USB drive

You need to “burn” the Linux Mint image onto your USB (Universal Serial Bus) drive so your computer can boot from it.

6.1. On Windows

1. Insert your USB drive.
2. Download a tool like Rufus or balenaEtcher (both are free).
3. Open the tool and:

• Select your USB drive.
• Select the Linux Mint .iso file you downloaded.
• Start the process. This will erase the USB drive and make it bootable.

6.2. On macOS

1. Insert the USB drive.
2. Download balenaEtcher.
3. Open Etcher:

• Choose the Mint .iso file.
• Choose your USB drive.
• Click “Flash.”

When it is done, you have a Linux Mint bootable USB drive.

7. Step 3 – Boot your computer from the USB drive

Now you need to convince your computer to start from the USB (Universal Serial Bus) drive instead of its internal disk.

1. Insert the USB drive into the computer where you want to install Mint.
2. Shut it down completely.
3. Turn it on and immediately press the key to open the boot menu or firmware settings:

• Common keys: F2 , F10 , F12 , Esc , or Del .

1. Either:

• Use the boot menu to choose your USB drive directly, or
• Go into the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) or UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) settings and move the USB drive to the top of the boot order.

After you save and exit, the computer should boot into the Linux Mint live environment.

8. Step 4 – Try Linux Mint without installing (optional but smart)

Linux Mint will give you a “live session” where it runs entirely from the USB (Universal Serial Bus) drive without touching your hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD).

Here you can:

• Click around the desktop
• Test your Wi-Fi, sound, and display
• Open Firefox and make sure the internet works

If everything looks good, you are ready to install.

9. Step 5 – Install Linux Mint

On the live desktop you will see an icon: “Install Linux Mint”. Double-click it.

The installer will guide you through several screens:

9.1. Language and keyboard

• Choose your language.
• Choose your keyboard layout (you can test in the box to make sure it types correctly).

9.2. Multimedia codecs (optional)

You may see an option like “Install multimedia codecs”.

• Check this box if you want smoother playback of videos and music out of the box.
• You can always add them later, but most users should enable this.

9.3. Installation type: erase disk or install alongside

This is the most important screen.

You will usually see options like:

1. Erase disk and install Linux Mint

• This wipes your hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD) and installs Mint as the only system.
• Easiest and cleanest option if you do not need your old operating system (OS).

1. Install Linux Mint alongside [Your Current OS]

• This sets up a dual-boot system, so you can choose your old operating system (OS) or Mint when the computer starts.
• Good if you still need a few Windows-only programs or games.

1. Something else

• Manual partitioning for advanced users.

For most beginners:

• If you want to replace your old system: choose Erase disk and install Linux Mint.
• If you want to keep your old system as a backup: choose Install alongside, and let the installer automatically resize and create partitions.

⚠️ Warning: “Erase disk” really means it. Make sure your important data is backed up somewhere else before choosing it.

9.4. Disk encryption (optional but recommended for laptops)

The installer may offer full-disk encryption:

• This protects your data if someone steals your laptop or hard disk drive (HDD).
• You will create a passphrase you must enter at boot.

If you are comfortable remembering a strong passphrase, this is a good idea, especially on a mobile computer.

9.5. Time zone

• Pick your region on the map to set the correct time zone.
  
  

9.6. Create your user account

You will be asked for:

• Your name
• Your computer’s name (this can be anything)
• A username
• A password

You can also choose whether to log in automatically or require a password at login. For privacy and security, requiring a password is better.

9.7. Let the installer run

At this point, the installer will copy files, set up the system, and configure everything. When it is done, it will ask you to:

• Restart the computer, and
• Remove the USB (Universal Serial Bus) drive when prompted.
  
  

10. Step 6 – First boot into your new Linux Mint system

After you reboot and remove the USB drive:

1. Your computer should start directly into Linux Mint.
2. Log in with the username and password you created.
3. You will see the Mint desktop and possibly a Welcome Screen.

The Welcome Screen is helpful for:

• Installing drivers (graphics, Wi-Fi, etc., if needed)
• Running system updates
• Learning basic features
  
  

11. After installation: what to do next

11.1. Run system updates

Mint has an Update Manager in the system tray.

1. Open Update Manager.
2. Click Refresh.
3. Click Install Updates.

Keeping your system updated means:

• Security patches
• Bug fixes
• New features over time
  
  

11.2. Install your favorite apps

Use the Software Manager to browse and install software:

• Web browsers, messaging apps, and tools
• Creative software like GIMP and Audacity
• Steam for gaming

Most software is one click away and usually free.

11.3. Set up backups

Linux Mint includes a tool called Timeshift for system snapshots. You can also use standard backup tools to save your files to an external drive.

Setting this up early means you can recover from mistakes without panic.

11.4. Add privacy tools (optional but recommended)

Depending on your threat model and comfort level, you might add things like:

• A privacy-focused browser with hardening
• An ad and tracker blocker
• A VPN (Virtual Private Network) service you trust

But the core win is this: your operating system (OS) is no longer treating you like a data source to be mined.

12. Wrap-up

Installing Linux Mint:

• Gives you a modern, fast, familiar desktop
• Reduces how much your system phones home to big companies
• Extends the life of older hardware
• Puts you in control of your computer again
  
  

You can start by testing it from a USB (Universal Serial Bus) stick, then move to a full installation when you are comfortable.

If you want, I can follow this up with a “Day 1 on Linux Mint” checklist: what settings to tweak, which apps to install, and how to make it feel like “home” without breaking anything.