MX Linux is a midweight, desktop-oriented Linux distribution based on Debian Stable 13 "trixie" that emphasizes stability, performance, and ease of use. MX Linux uses core antiX components, with additional software created or packaged by the MX community. The development of MX Linux is a collaborative effort between the antiX and former MEPIS 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.
History MX Linux began in a discussion about future options among members of the MEPIS community in December 2013. 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 site DistroWatch, MX Linux was initially presented as a version of antiX called MX "Fusion". It received its own DistroWatch page with the release of the first public beta of MX Linux 16 "Metamorphosis" on 2 November 2016.
Distribution MX Linux offers ISO images for installation that can be downloaded directly or by using BitTorrent. Physical discs can also be bought from retailers. Fluxbox, KDE and Xfce are available in 64-bit variants of those releases.
The MX Devs create Snapshots 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.
Releases Older releases *The MX-14, codename "Symbiosis", series was based on Debian Stable "Wheezy", using Xfce 4.10 and then, with the 14.4 release, Xfce 4.12. The MX-14 versions were intended to fit onto a CD-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.*MX-15 "Fusion" moved to the new Debian Stable "Jessie" using systemd-shim, meaning that systemd is installed, but the default init is sysvinit. 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.*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.*MX-17 "Horizon" changed its base to Debian 9 (Stretch) and brought upgraded artwork, new MX Tools, improved Live operation via antiX and other changes.*MX-18 "Continuum" continued the development of MX Tools, introduced a new kernel, enabled whole disk encryption, and added GRUB themes, splash functionality through MX Boot options artwork, and improved localization.*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.*MX-21 "Wildflower" was released on 21 October 2021. It is based on Debian 11.0 (Bullseye) and is available as Xfce, KDE or Fluxbox versions. Disk Manager returns and for share settings, MX Samba Config app (GUI) is included. MX-21.1 was released on 9 April 2022. MX-21.2 was released on 28 August 2022. MX-21.2.1 was released on 18 September 2022. MX-21.3 3rd refresh of MX-21, was released on 14 January 2023.
MX-23 "Libretto" was released on 31 July 2023. Based on Debian 12 with bug fixes, new kernels, and many application updates. Available as Xfce (4.18), Xfce AHS, KDE, and Fluxbox versions. Further details are in the MX blog. MX-23.1 "Libretto" was released on 15 October 2023. First ISO refresh of the initial MX-23 release. 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. MX-23.3 "Libretto" was released on 19 May 2024. 3rd ISO refresh of MX-23 MX-23.4 "Libretto" was released on 15 September 2024. 4th ISO refresh of MX-23 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. 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. MX-25 "Infinity" was released on 9 November 2025 and was built on Debian 13 "trixie". 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 offers zram swap. Support for Secure Boot. KDE is version 6.3.6 with both Wayland and X11 sessions available. All releases are available with Systemd. The Xfce, Xfce-AHS, and Fluxbox releases are also available in sysVint variants. MX-25.1 With the release of 25.1, Dual Init is now again possible. This includes both systemd and SysVinit init systems on the same ISO. MX-25.2 was released on May 24, 2026. AHS includes Mesa 26.0.1. All have Debian updates through 13.5, updates from the MX Linux repositories, and patches for all the latest "meme bugs" in the Linux kernel. MX-25.3 was released on September 20, 2026. All releases feature updated 6.12.107 Debian kernels. AHS includes Mesa 26.1.4 with the 7.2.6 Liquorix kernel. All have Debian updates through 13.7, updates from the MX Linux repositories, and MX-Welcome, MX-Tools and custom-toolbox received user interface facelifts.ISO Signature Verifier, a new MX Tool for verifying digital signatures for not only MX isos, but also isos from many popular distros.
Desktop editions MX Linux uses Xfce as the main desktop environment, to which it adds a freestanding KDE Plasma version and, in 2021, a stand-alone Fluxbox implementation. All editions contain a "move in ready" set of applications beyond what Debian includes with each desktop and many feature enhancements such as disk and driver tools. LibreOffice 26.x Word Processing suite, and VLC multimedia software comes pre-installed. Other environments can be added or are available as "spin-off" ISO images.
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. Fluxbox is a window manager with very low resource usage. Fluxbox 64-bit version is 1.3.7. KDE a 64-bit Advanced Hardware Support (AHS) version. It currently features version 6.3.6 of the KDE Plasma desktop and Linux kernel 6.12 (or later). Wayland is the default session, but X11 is available from the session chooser on the login screen. 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 and AMD Radeon RX graphics cards or 11th/12th/13th generation Intel CPUs).
The MX Linux editions differ from each other as follows:
SoftwareXfceKDEFluxboxKernelDebian Linux kernelLiquorixDebian Linux kernelDisplay serverX.Org ServerWaylandX.Org ServerSound serverPipeWireMultimediaVLC and Strawberry MPV and AudaciousWindow ManagerXfwm4KWinFluxboxDesktop EnvironmentXfcePlasma DesktopnonePrimary toolkitGTKQtC++Primary Package ManagerMX Package InstallerDiscoverMX Package InstallerBrowserFirefoxOffice suiteLibreOfficeqpdfviewEmail and PIMThunderbirdnoneImage viewerNomacsQimgvNomacs
Recent releases A table of current MX Linux Development Team supported releases and how long Debian will provide Long Term Support.
VersionCodenameReleasekernelAHS kernelNotes Infinity September 20, 2026 6.12.107 7.2.6 Liquorix The AHS-enabled releases now include Mesa 26.1.4. All releases includes Debian updates through 13.7 and all updates from the MX Linux repositories. May 24, 2026 6.12.90 7.0.9 Liquorix The AHS-enabled releases now feature Mesa 26.0.1. All releases includes Debian updates through 13.5, all updates from the MX Linux repositories, including patches for all the latest "meme bugs" in the Linux kernel. January 12, 2026 6.12.63 6.16 Liquorix Dual-init is now once again possible; included are both systemd and sysVinit on the same ISO. 9 November 2025 6.12.48 6.16 LiquorixChanges: Xfce 4.20, Fluxbox 1.3.7, KDE/plasma 6.3.6Debian Main Support to August 9, 2028. Debian Long Term Support to June 30, 2030. Libretto 13 April 2025 6.1.133 6.14Liquorix6th 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. 13 January 2025 6.1.123 6.12.8Liquorix5th refresh of MX 23 with many bugfixes. Updates to: kernel, applications, firmware, and updated Xfce 4.20 core packages.15 September 2024 6.1.106 6.10.10 LiquorixMX 4th refresh. Bugfixes, updates of kernel & applications, updated firmware packages & updated Xfce core to 4.18. 19 May 2024 6.1.90 6.8.9 3rd refresh of MX 23. AHS now has the 6.8.9 Liquorix Kernel. 21 January 2024 6.1.x 6.6 2nd refresh of MX 23. AHS now has the 6.6 Liquorix Kernel. 15 October 2023 6.1.x 6.5 First refresh of MX 23. All ISOs have been updated to the newest 6.1 Kernel, and AHS now has the 6.5 Kernel. 31 July 2023 6.1.0 6.4.0 Xfce Desktop Environment upgraded to 4.18. Debian Main Support to June 2026. Long Term Support to June 30, 2028. Wildflower 21 October 2021 5.10 6.0 Debian Main Support to August 2024.Long Term Support to August 31, 2026.
Historical releases MX Linux 14-21 VersionCodenameReleasekernelAHS kernel all DE's Wildflower 15 January 2023 5.10 6.0 all DE's 18 September 2022 5.18 all DE's 28 August 2022 5.18 all DE's 9 April 2022 5.16 AHS 22 November 2021 5.14 21 October 2021 Patito feo 31 March 2021 5.10 11 November 2020 4.19 KDE 16 August 2020 31 May 2020 14 February 2020 21 October 2019 Continuum 4 January 2019 Horizon 15 December 2017 Metamorphosis 8 June 2017 Fusion 12 December 2015 Symbiosis March 2014
Design and features
Core architecture 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 from antiX (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 both UEFI and legacy BIOS (MBR) PCs, external drives, USB medium and other block access devices through the graphical Gazelle installer
Handles partitioning and bootloader setup for diverse firmware environments.