MX Linux 25 Infinity: A Bold Evolution Built on Debian 13 Trixie
MX Linux 25 Infinity: A Bold Evolution Built on Debian 13 Trixie
Table of contents:-
Foundational Changes and Desktop Environments
Desktop-Specific Enhancements and Refinements
Tooling Improvements and System Management
Visual Refinements and User Experience
Installation Experience: Systemd Xfce Variant
The wait is finally over. On 9th November 2025, the MX Linux development team unveiled MX Linux 25, codenamed "Infinity", marking a significant milestone in the distribution's journey. Built upon the solid foundation of Debian 13 "Trixie", this release represents not just an incremental update but a thoughtful reimagining of what has become one of the most popular midweight Linux distributions in the open-source ecosystem.
For those unfamiliar with MX Linux, it's worth noting that this distribution emerged from a collaborative effort between the antiX and former MEPIS communities, combining the elegance of efficient desktop environments with the reliability of Debian stable. The "MX" name itself pays homage to its heritage, with the "M" representing MEPIS and the "X" acknowledging antiX. This partnership has consistently delivered a family of operating systems designed to marry elegant, efficient desktops with rock-solid stability and performance.
The Infinity release arrives at a fascinating juncture in the Linux landscape. As distributions increasingly embrace systemd and modern technologies, MX Linux has had to navigate the delicate balance between maintaining its distinctive identity and adapting to upstream changes. The result is a release that honours tradition whilst boldly stepping into the future.
Foundational Changes and Desktop Environments
At the heart of MX Linux 25 lies Debian 13 "Trixie", bringing with it a wealth of updated packages and improved hardware support. The distribution ships with three desktop environment flavours, each meticulously crafted to serve different user preferences and hardware capabilities. The flagship Xfce edition now runs version 4.20, delivering a familiar yet refined experience. For those seeking cutting-edge desktop technology, the KDE Plasma edition features version 6.3.6, whilst minimalists can opt for the lightweight Fluxbox 1.3.7 edition.
One of the most significant foundational shifts in MX Linux 25 concerns its approach to init systems. Historically, the distribution gained recognition for its flexibility, allowing users to toggle between systemd and SysVinit at will. This distinctive feature enabled convenient workflows, such as temporarily enabling systemd to install packages requiring it, then switching back to SysVinit. However, changes in the Linux kernel 6.12 have rendered this approach untenable. The kernel's default disabling of cgroup v1 support has broken the systemd-shim packages that previously enabled this coexistence.
Consequently, MX Linux 25 adopts a new strategy: separate ISO images for each init system. The standard releases utilising systemd ensure maximum compatibility with the broader Debian ecosystem. Xfce and Fluxbox editions remain available in SysVinit variants, clearly labelled in their filenames, whilst the KDE edition ships exclusively with systemd. This change represents a pragmatic response to upstream developments rather than a philosophical shift. As the developers noted, users still retain choice, but the decision must now be made at download time rather than at boot or post-installation.
The kernel selection reflects this thoughtful approach to hardware support. Most ISO images ship with Linux kernel 6.12.48 from Debian's stable repositories, benefiting from long-term support guarantees. However, recognising that newer hardware demands more recent drivers, the Advanced Hardware Support editions feature the Liquorix 6.16 kernel, specifically optimised for modern machines whilst sacrificing Secure Boot compatibility.
Another milestone in MX Linux 25 is the discontinuation of official 32-bit ISO images. Following Debian's decision to drop 32-bit kernel support, the MX team has similarly focused exclusively on 64-bit releases. Current 32-bit users needn't panic, though. MX Linux 23 will continue receiving security updates through Debian's Long Term Support programme until June 2028. Furthermore, the team plans to maintain 32-bit packages in the MX 25 repositories, potentially enabling community respins should a suitable kernel become available. The antiX project, meanwhile, continues offering official 32-bit ISOs for those requiring them.
Desktop-Specific Enhancements and Refinements
Each desktop environment in MX Linux 25 has received careful attention, with improvements tailored to their respective user bases. The Xfce edition showcases several configuration adjustments designed to enhance usability without overwhelming users. The Whisker Menu has been updated to the new settings format, streamlining navigation and customisation. Perhaps most notably, Engrampa replaces File Roller as the default archive manager, offering a lighter footprint whilst maintaining comprehensive format support.
The KDE Plasma edition represents the most dramatic evolution within MX Linux 25. Wayland now serves as the default session, reflecting the broader industry shift towards this modern display server protocol. For users requiring or preferring X11, it remains accessible through the login screen's session chooser, ensuring flexibility without compromising progress. The switch to Wayland brings numerous benefits, including improved performance, better security isolation, and smoother animations. Additionally, the Dolphin file manager gains root actions and service menus, enhancing power user workflows. In a practical move addressing real-world issues, TLP has been removed in favour of power-profiles-daemon, resolving persistent problems with the power profile widget. The default image viewer has also changed, with Qimgv replacing Gwenview, offering faster startup times and a more streamlined interface.
Fluxbox users will find the most comprehensive overhaul among the three editions. The panel configuration has been completely revised, providing a more intuitive layout that better leverages screen real estate. Rofi's "appfinder" configurations have been updated, making application launching more responsive and visually consistent. The root-level menus have similarly been refreshed, presenting a cleaner, more logical organisation. In a significant change for audio enthusiasts, Audacious replaces DeadBeef as the default audio player, bringing a more actively maintained application with better format support and a cleaner interface.
Across all editions, the antiX live system has undergone modifications to function more seamlessly with systemd as the init system. Whilst nearly everything operates smoothly, there's an important caveat for dedicated live system users. The systemd-based live environment no longer offers "semi-automatic" persistence file saving, though "automatic" and "manual" save options remain functional. Static persistence options continue working regardless of init system. For users who rely on live systems as their primary operating environment, the SysVinit variants may prove more suitable, as the antiX live system was originally designed with SysVinit in mind.
Tooling Improvements and System Management
The MX Tools suite has always been a hallmark of the MX Linux experience, and version 25 brings substantial improvements to this already impressive toolkit. All GUI MX Tools have been migrated to Qt6, ensuring better integration with modern desktop environments and improved performance. This migration isn't merely a technical upgrade; it represents a commitment to maintaining compatibility with current toolkit standards whilst preparing for future developments.
One of the most visible changes concerns system updates. The long-serving apt-notifier has been retired, replaced by the newly developed mx-updater tool.
Whilst functionally similar on the surface, mx-updater introduces several sophisticated enhancements under the bonnet. Users now have the option to employ Nala as the backend instead of APT, bringing cleaner output, parallel downloads, and better transaction history. Additional preference options provide finer control over update behaviour, allowing users to customise the experience to their workflows.
MX Cleanup has evolved into a more comprehensive maintenance tool. New features include the ability to remove unused DKMS drivers for Wi-Fi components, particularly helpful for systems that no longer require Realtek or Broadcom drivers after switching hardware. The tool can also remove MX manuals and FAQs for languages other than the system default, reclaiming valuable disk space on smaller installations. These seemingly minor additions can significantly streamline system maintenance, particularly on older hardware with limited storage.
The installer represents another area of substantial improvement. A new "replace" function assists users upgrading from existing Linux installations. When selected, the installer presents a list of detected installations and intelligently uses their fstab information to configure a fresh install whilst preserving home folders. This feature dramatically simplifies the upgrade process for those wishing to start fresh without losing personal data. Additionally, the installer now offers configuration options for zram swap devices, improving performance on systems with limited RAM by providing compressed swap in memory rather than on disk. Various optimisations and code updates have also been implemented, addressing edge cases and improving overall reliability.
Perhaps most significantly for security-conscious users, the installer now supports 64-bit UEFI Secure Boot installations. This support relies on Debian's signed kernels, meaning it's exclusively available for standard releases using the 6.12 kernel series from Debian stable repositories. The Advanced Hardware Support editions with Liquorix kernels cannot support Secure Boot due to the unsigned nature of those kernels. It's worth noting that drivers added via DKMS, such as those for NVIDIA or Broadcom hardware, won't function out of the box with Secure Boot enabled. Users will need to follow additional steps, which the MX team plans to document separately, to enable these drivers in a Secure Boot environment.
The move to Debian's new deb822 format for sources management represents another forward-looking enhancement. Sources are now located in .sources files under /etc/apt/sources.list.d/, though the legacy .list format remains supported for backwards compatibility. MX Repo Manager and related mirror localisation routines have been updated to work seamlessly with this format, ensuring users can continue managing repositories through familiar interfaces whilst benefiting from the improved structure and functionality the new format provides.
On the systemd-based ISOs, systemd-cryptsetup has been introduced to enhance support for encrypted home partitions. This addition addresses previous limitations, making full-disk encryption more reliable and user-friendly. The implementation reflects careful attention to security without compromising usability, a hallmark of the MX Linux approach.
Visual Refinements and User Experience
Aesthetics matter, and MX Linux 25 hasn't neglected the visual aspects of the user experience. The artwork and themes have been refreshed for the Infinity release, with updates to both mx-ease and mx-matcha themes. These refinements provide a cleaner, more contemporary appearance whilst maintaining the distribution's distinctive identity. The changes aren't merely superficial; they reflect careful consideration of modern design principles, ensuring visual consistency across supported desktop environments.
New Conky configurations have been introduced, along with a default Conky configuration that intelligently switches between 12-hour and 24-hour time formats based on locale preferences. This seemingly small detail exemplifies the attention to international users and cultural preferences that characterises quality Linux distributions. Conky remains an excellent way to monitor system resources at a glance, and these improved configurations make it more accessible to newcomers whilst retaining the customisation options power users appreciate.
The NVIDIA installer, known as ddm-mx, has received enhancements as well. A new fallback mode for the NVIDIA developer repository function ensures greater reliability when installing proprietary drivers. Enhanced compatibility with Wayland sessions addresses the increasing adoption of this display server protocol, particularly relevant for KDE Plasma users now defaulting to Wayland sessions.
Various bug fixes and translation updates have been implemented throughout the system. The default .bashrc file has been refined, incorporating community feedback and addressing minor issues. The live-kernel-updater now filters out Memtest from kernel options, preventing confusion for users managing multiple kernels. The live-usb-maker utility has been updated to ensure the "update" mode functions correctly, simplifying the process of maintaining up-to-date live USB installations.
Installation Experience: Systemd Xfce Variant
Having taken MX Linux 25 for an initial test drive using the Xfce systemd variant, the installation experience proves reassuringly familiar whilst incorporating the new features seamlessly. The ISO boots swiftly, presenting the refined live environment with immediate access to system tools and applications. The desktop feels responsive and polished, with the updated themes evident throughout the interface.
Launching the installer reveals an interface that, whilst maintaining its distinctive character, benefits from the refinements mentioned earlier. The new "replace" function appears as an additional option during partitioning, clearly explained and easy to understand. For a fresh installation, the traditional workflow remains unchanged, guiding users through language selection, timezone configuration, and user account creation with minimal fuss.
The installation process itself proceeds efficiently, with clear progress indicators and informative messages. On modern hardware, the entire process from boot to desktop typically completes in under fifteen minutes. The installer's ability to handle various partition schemes, including Btrfs with subvolumes, demonstrates technical sophistication without overwhelming less experienced users.
Upon first boot, the system presents a clean, functional desktop. MX Welcome greets users with helpful links to documentation, system configuration tools, and community resources.
The default application selection strikes a sensible balance between comprehensiveness and restraint, providing essential tools without bloating the installation. Firefox serves as the web browser, Thunderbird handles email, and LibreOffice covers office productivity needs.
The inclusion of useful utilities such as the MX Package Installer makes software management straightforward, even for those new to Linux.
System performance on the Xfce systemd variant impresses immediately. Applications launch promptly, window management feels fluid, and the overall experience radiates polish. Resource usage remains modest, with the idle desktop consuming approximately 600-700 MB of RAM, leaving ample headroom even on systems with 4 GB or less. This efficiency doesn't come at the expense of functionality; the system feels complete and ready for productive work from the moment of installation.
The integration of systemd appears seamless, with system services starting quickly and behaving predictably. For users migrating from MX Linux 23 or other distributions, the transition should prove painless. The familiar MX Tools provide quick access to system configuration, hardware management, and maintenance tasks, maintaining the distribution's reputation for user-friendliness whilst embracing modern init system standards.
Looking Forward
MX Linux 25 "Infinity" represents a mature, thoughtful response to the evolving Linux landscape. The distribution successfully navigates the tension between maintaining distinctive features and adapting to upstream changes. By offering separate init system ISOs, the team preserves user choice whilst acknowledging kernel-level realities. The migration to Qt6, improved tooling, and desktop-specific refinements demonstrate ongoing commitment to quality and user experience.
The discontinuation of 32-bit ISO images, whilst potentially disappointing to some, reflects pragmatic acceptance of industry trends whilst providing generous transition timelines. The continued availability of 32-bit packages and extended support for MX Linux 23 softens this change considerably.
For existing MX Linux users, version 25 offers compelling reasons to upgrade. The updated base, modern desktop environments, improved tools, and refined aesthetics combine to create an experience that feels both familiar and fresh. The addition of Secure Boot support opens doors for users on newer hardware or in environments requiring this security feature.
For those new to MX Linux or considering a distribution switch, Infinity presents an excellent entry point. The combination of Debian stability, thoughtful default configurations, comprehensive tooling, and active community support creates an environment conducive to both learning and productivity. Whether you're a Linux newcomer seeking a welcoming first experience or a seasoned administrator requiring a reliable workstation, MX Linux 25 merits serious consideration.
The "Infinity" codename feels apt. This release demonstrates that MX Linux can continue evolving indefinitely, adapting to changes whilst maintaining its core identity. The collaborative spirit between the antiX and former MEPIS communities continues yielding results that benefit the broader Linux ecosystem. As distributions increasingly converge on similar technologies, MX Linux's focus on practical user experience and comprehensive tooling distinguishes it from the crowd.
Looking ahead, the MX Linux project appears positioned for continued success. The migration to modern technologies whilst preserving flexibility suggests a development team that understands both technical realities and user needs. Future releases will likely build upon the solid foundation established in version 25, incorporating community feedback and upstream improvements whilst maintaining the characteristics that have made MX Linux a favourite among users seeking a balance between power and accessibility.
In an increasingly complex technological landscape, MX Linux 25 "Infinity" offers something increasingly rare: a distribution that respects user intelligence, provides genuine choice, and delivers reliable performance without unnecessary complexity. Whether you're exploring Linux for the first time or reassessing your distribution loyalties, this release deserves your attention. The infinity symbol suggests endless possibilities, and with MX Linux 25, those possibilities feel tangible and accessible rather than merely aspirational.
Concluding Thoughts
MX Linux 25 "Infinity" arrives as a testament to thoughtful distribution development. Built on Debian 13 "Trixie", offering three refined desktop environments, featuring modernised tooling, and maintaining flexibility through separate init system ISOs, this release demonstrates maturity and vision. The installation experience proves smooth, system performance impresses, and the comprehensive documentation and community support provide reassurance.
For users seeking a distribution that combines Debian's stability with user-friendly enhancements and powerful tools, MX Linux 25 represents an excellent choice. The Infinity release honours the project's heritage whilst embracing necessary evolution, ensuring relevance in an ever-changing landscape. Whether you're running it on a modern powerhouse or breathing new life into older hardware, MX Linux 25 delivers an experience that balances technical excellence with genuine usability.
The future looks bright for this collaborative project. As the Linux ecosystem continues evolving, distributions like MX Linux that prioritise user needs whilst maintaining technical rigour will remain vital. Infinity indeed.
Disclaimer
All trademarks, brand names, and registered marks mentioned in this article, including but not limited to MX Linux, Debian, Xfce, KDE Plasma, Fluxbox, systemd, SysVinit, and related software packages, are the property of their respective owners. This article is produced independently by The Distrowrite Project and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to the MX Linux development team, Debian Project, or any related organisations.
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