System Requirements and Compatibility Checks

Before initiating the upgrade, verify your hardware meets the minimum requirements:

• 64-bit processor
• 4GB RAM (8GB recommended for development workloads)
• 30GB of disk space
• Display resolution of 1024×768
• Secure Boot disabled (required for proprietary driver support)

The first thing is to check your current version using any of the following commands:

OR:

OR:

You need to ensure you’re running Linux Mint 21.3 or 22 before proceeding to 22.1

You cannot upgrade to Mint 22 from Mint 21.1 or 21.2. Ensure you have updated the system to Mint 21.3 before attempting the upgrade. If you are using a lower version, it is better to go for a fresh installation rather than upgrading to several Mint versions.

Method 1: Graphical Upgrade via Update Manager

Step 1: Check if any pending updates. 

If you have any softwares or application that are not updated to their latest released versions, please update them.

After you have updated all applications it should look something like below. Reboot your system, if you see an info banner like below.

Step 2: Create a System Snapshot.

Launch Timeshift from the application menu and create a full system snapshot. This lets you roll back if any issues arise after your upgrade. You can delete the snapshot later if you want once you are sure that the updated version is running smoothly without any breaking issues.

You will be able to see the newly created snapshot 

Step 3: Download the upgrade application.

Install the application from the terminal using the command below. This application will help you to  upgrade your Linux Mint version.

Step 4: Launch the Mint Upgrade Application.

You will have to run the application from the terminal. You cannot find the newly installed application listed in the App menu. To launch, you need to enter the following command in the terminal

The launch screen will look similar to the below image:

Step 5: Allow permissions.

It will ask for permission to perform a series of tests to prepare your computer for an upgrade.

Step 6: Backup confirmation.

It will ask for backup, if you have already created one, you’re good to go. If you have not created a backup, the tool will guide you to create one.

Step 7: Configuration File Handling:

Select “Replace” for configuration files when prompted about modified config files to avoid legacy conflicts.

The GUI process typically completes in 45-90 minutes depending on internet speed and package count.

Step 8: Complete Installation.

After a series of checks, validations, installations and additional update processes the installation will be completed. These steps would come one after the other in the Mint Upgrade wizard application. 

Once the installation is complete you should be able to see a screen like below:

Step 9: Reboot system.

Now you can close the Mint Upgrade Application and reboot your system. You should be able to see the updated Mint version reflection on your System Info application.

Method 2: Terminal-Based Upgrade

Step 1: Create a full system snapshot to enable rollback capabilities.

Step 2: Install Mint Upgrade application.

Step 3: Run the pre-flight validation checks.

Step 4: Download available upgrades.

Step 5: Refresh package lists.

Step 6: Launch the Mint Upgrade application. 

(Follow the next steps as mentioned in Method 1)

Step 7: Clean orphan dependencies..

Step 8: Remove the upgrade application.

Step 9: Reboot the system.

Installation blockers:

Some PPAs might already be available for Ubuntu 24.04 and Mint 22. However, if a PPA or repository is not available for the new version, it could cause problems during the upgrade due to broken dependencies. The upgrade tool will notify you about this issue like below.

Click on “Fix,” and you will have the option to disable the PPAs using Software Sources in the upgrade tool.

Since the PPA is disabled, the package is considered ‘foreign’ or ‘orphan’ because its version doesn’t match the ones in the Mint repositories. You will need to downgrade the packages to a version that is available in the repository.

In some cases, you may need to downgrade additional packages to prevent conflicts. Click on “Fix” to continue.

This will remove the orphan packages, including any new orphan packages that were created.

Sometimes there are some packages that are not visible in the PPAs section. This can be because the package has reached the EOL (End Of Life) stage. In that case follow the EOL guide. 

The repositories for older releases that are no longer supported are moved to an archive server. You can find these repositories at Ubuntu Old Releases. This change happens because these versions are out of support and no longer receive updates or security patches.

I recommend considering a supported distribution. If you still want to use an outdated release:

The key step is to edit the /etc/apt/sources.list file to change archive.ubuntu.com or security.ubuntu.com to old-releases.ubuntu.com. This will let you update or upgrade from an EOL version (like Impish in my case). You can find better instructions here:

• How to install or upgrade from an old unsupported release
• EOL Upgrades

Conclusion: Why Upgrade Matters

Linux Mint 22 delivers a compelling package for technical users:

• Long-Term Stability: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS base ensures security updates through 2029
• Modern Toolchain: GCC 13.2, Python 3.12, and LLVM 18 provide cutting-edge development capabilities
• Enhanced Productivity: Cinnamon 6.4’s workspace management and window tiling streamline complex workflows

By following this guide, you’ve not only secured a stable platform but also unlocked tools that grow with your technical requirements.

Additional Resources

• Official Upgrade Documentation
• Cinnamon 6.4 Release Notes
• Linux Mint Forums
• Wayland Development Overview
• How to Upgrade to Linux Mint 22 (Image Source)

Always verify checksums of downloaded ISOs and consider testing major upgrades in a virtual machine before deploying to production systems.