Install and setup Linux Mint in 4 steps

Larry Bushey Larry Bushey

Have you been looking to install Linux Mint on your computer but have been worried about the amount of time it will take to get a fully functional system? These 4 steps will get you started fast with a computer that's running Linux Mint and ready to use within minutes.

1. Install Linux Mint

Forget about what you've read about having to fiddle with support for wifi, bluetooth, printers, YouTube, and Netflix. Linux Mint 22.1 comes with everything you need. In most cases Linux Mint is the best Linux distribution with the fewest steps for initial setup. That's because it is pre-configured to be fully functional. It also has the Welcome Screen to help you check that everything you need is installed, right after you finish the installation.

Computer running Linux Mint Cinnamon and showing the Welcome app

2. Get the latest security updates and software updates

Right after installation, in the Linux Mint Welcome Screen, click the Let's Go! button. Next choose the Launch button to open the Update Manager then click the Install Updates button.

3. Install Support for media

If you were online when installing Linux Mint and you ticked the option to install these codecs, they are already installed and you can skip this step. If not, Launch Menu> Sound & Video> Install Multimedia Codecs and click . This package will ensure that you can record, convert and stream audio and video, and includes MP3 audio support.

4. Drivers? Where we're going, we don't need drivers! (Usually)

Next you can check for available hardware drivers. This section of the online Installation Guide provides step by step instructions. A wide range of hardware is compatible with Linux Mint right out of the box. So if everything is already working for you, you can simply skip this step. No additional setup necessary. On the other hand, if your computer does have a component that requires a proprietary driver that's not pre-installed, the Driver Manager will tell you and let you install whatever you need right from there. Just follow the instructions.

Now you have a fully-functional Linux computer, ready to use, with these features and apps included:

  • An Internet Browser. (Firefox) You can actually choose from many others using the Software app. (Chrome, Brave, Opera, Chromium, Edge, Vivaldi, and more)
  • A mail app (Thunderbird) that includes contacts and accommodates multiple email accounts.
  • An office suite with word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, drawing, and math apps, and more. (LibreOffice)
  • A scanning app in case you have a scanner or a multi-function printer. (Many wireless printers connect automatically and you can just plug-in your USB printer for fast setup. You can also use the Printers app to connect wired and wireless printers.)
  • A Music and podcast manager. (Rhythmbox)
  • Media Player. (Celluloid)
  • Security apps. (Automated backups, simple firewall, automated sofware updater)
  • Assistive technology applications. Screen reader, on-screen keyboard, screen magnifier, and much more are ready to enable and begin using immediately.
  • Support built-in for PDF creation and reading, Bluetooth devices, Wifi connections, laptop battery monitoring, and streaming audio and video services.
  • Support for high resolution (HiDPI) monitors and multiple monitors. (Displays)

Bonus step: Additional applications

Linux Mint's "Software Manager" is a curated collection of applications from the thousands of apps in Linux repositories. It is a quick and easy way of finding and managing software that the Linux Mint team has identified as most popular, best in class, or simply a great choice for most users. You can use the Software Manager to install apps like "Synaptic Package Manager" that provide access to thousands of additional applications you can install.