MX Linux has officially released MX Linux 23.5 “Libretto,” marking the fifth refresh of the MX-23 series, introducing a wealth of bug fixes, kernel updates, and application enhancements since the original MX-23 launch.
Building upon the foundation of Debian 12.9, the new release incorporates all the latest updates from both the Debian and MX repositories.
Perhaps the most striking update is the arrival of Xfce 4.20 in the main repositories. This long-awaited release brings a host of visual and performance enhancements for Xfce-based editions, including the Pi respin, thereby delivering a smoother, more polished desktop environment.
Beyond the new Xfce update, MX Linux 23.5 includes bug fixes and updates to various applications:
- MX Packageinstaller: Boasts a refined user interface and enhanced version display for packages in third-party repositories. Users can also enjoy integrated screenshots from debian.screenshots.
- Live System Improvements: The live system now provides extra warnings if persistence is enabled for read-only boot media.
- Installer Tweaks: This version introduces adjustments to the default fstab file, along with additional fallback modes in the installer, to simplify system setup.
- Language Updates: Many language packs have received thorough updates, ensuring a better-localized experience across the board.
- New Applications: You’ll also find many fresh additions in the MX “test” repository, keeping MX Linux at the cutting edge of software availability.
Moreover, all standard MX Linux editions—Xfce, KDE, and Fluxbox—ship with the updated 6.1 LTS kernel. It’s worth noting that the AHS (Advanced Hardware Support) variant comes with the 6.12 liquorix kernel, set to auto-update to keep pace with the latest hardware enhancements.
Raspberry Pi fans will be happy to learn that the MX Raspberry Pi Respin also rolls out with the newest MX and RPiOS repositories packages. This means Pi users can now enjoy the same benefits of updated kernels and refreshed applications as everyone else in the MX community.
Lastly, while the release addresses numerous bugs and provides broader hardware support, there are a couple of points worth noting:
- VirtualBox Users on Kernel 6.12: Disabling early KVM module loading might be necessary. This is turned off by default in the AHS release, and the MX Tweak tool can toggle this setting on other releases.
- Nvidia Drivers (Discrete Graphics): On systems running Linux kernel 6.12 LTS (the default on the AHS version), some users with non-hybrid Nvidia graphics may need to manually generate an “/etc/X11/xorg.conf” file to enable the proprietary driver. Installing “nvidia-xconfig” from the repos and running it with defaults is a quick fix.
For those interested in upgrading or trying out MX Linux 23.5, the new release is available for download in various editions, including Xfce, KDE, Fluxbox, and a Raspberry Pi Respin. The distro offers 32-bit and 64-bit versions, as only the KDE flavor doesn’t have a 32-bit variant.
For a complete list of changes, please refer to the release announcement.
For current MX-23 users, the transition is smooth and hassle-free, as all new packages and updates are accessible through regular update channels. In other words, there’s no need for a complete reinstall—just run “apt update & apt upgrade” to upgrade your system to the latest release.
