MX-25.1 “Infinity” Dual Init ISOs
MX-25.1 “Infinity” Dual Init ISOs
Table of contents:-
What “Dual Init” Means and Why It Matters
Technical Enhancements and Updates
Desktop Flavours and Ecosystem
Installation, Migration, and User Considerations
Introduction to the Release
On January 19, 2026, the MX Linux project announced the general availability of MX-25.1 “Infinity”, a point update to the MX 25 “Infinity” series of the well-regarded Debian-based distribution. This release is built upon the Debian 13.3 “Trixie” base and represents an incremental but meaningful evolution of the core MX 25 platform. MX Linux emphasises stability, performance, and configurability — qualities that are central to this update. MX-25.1 “Infinity” brings refreshed installation media across all key desktop flavours and re-introduces dual init support, restoring one of the project’s distinctive historical features directly within the live ISO environment.
What “Dual Init” Means and Why It Matters
One of the most notable aspects of MX-25.1 “Infinity” is the reintegration of dual init support on the ISO images themselves. In previous MX 25 releases, init system options — namely systemd and SysVinit — were provided via separate ISO downloads, with users having to select their preferred init at download time. With the 25.1 update, both init systems are included within the same ISO and can be selected at the live boot menu before installation.
From a practical perspective, this reinstates an important choice for users. Systemd has become the mainstream init system within the broader Debian ecosystem, favoured for its modern management frameworks and widespread package support. SysVinit, by contrast, is valued by some users for its simplicity, familiarity, and historical consistency with earlier MX Linux conventions. The MX-25.1 installer preserves the select-at-boot choice and ensures the selected init is carried through to the installed system, with the alternative init still accessible via GRUB’s advanced options if needed.
Behind the scenes, this dual init functionality responds to longer-term technical constraints. Earlier MX Linux releases relied on systemd-shim to allow both init systems to co-exist within a single environment. Changes to the Linux kernel and cgroup management in recent years rendered systemd-shim unworkable, prompting a temporary shift to separate ISO offerings in the base MX 25 line. MX-25.1 “Infinity” addresses that limitation by reworking the dual init support model while maintaining compatibility with current Debian kernels.
Technical Enhancements and Updates
Beyond init system choice, MX-25.1 “Infinity” brings the distribution up to date with the latest Debian 13.3 package set. All official desktops — Xfce, KDE Plasma, and Fluxbox — receive refreshed ISOs featuring updated core packages and improvements in system tooling. Standard editions continue to ship with the Linux 6.12 LTS kernel series, while Advanced Hardware Support (AHS) builds — principally aimed at newer systems and graphics hardware — leverage the Linux 6.18 Liquorix kernel for broader device support and performance enhancements. The AHS ISOs also include newer versions of key graphics components such as Mesa 25.3.3 to provide up-to-date OpenGL and Vulkan support where appropriate.
MX-25.1 also benefits from a series of under-the-hood quality and workflow improvements that were introduced in the original MX 25 “Infinity” and carried forward into this point update:
A fully Qt6-based MX Tools suite for consistent performance and interface behaviour across desktops.
Revisions to the installer experience, including a guided “replace existing Linux installation” option and support for UEFI Secure Boot where applicable.
Support for Debian’s deb822 format for APT sources information with backward support for traditional .list files.
An updated updater infrastructure that allows integration with alternative backends such as nala, while retaining familiar UX through the MX-Updater front end.
These refinements contribute to the overall polish, manageability, and user experience that long-time MX Linux users have come to expect.
Desktop Flavours and Ecosystem
MX Linux has historically offered a range of desktop environments tailored to different user preferences and hardware capabilities. MX-25.1 “Infinity” continues this tradition with three core editions:
Xfce – a lightweight, highly configurable desktop suitable for most use cases.
KDE Plasma – a feature-rich, modern desktop with Wayland support where appropriate.
Fluxbox – an ultra-light compositor-less environment for minimal resource consumption.
Each ISO reflects the updated base and tooling, and thanks to the dual init mechanism, users can choose their preferred init system without downloading distinct installation images. The KDE Plasma edition, in particular, benefits from recent enhancements around Wayland session support, improved hardware integration, and updated Dolphin file manager functionality.
Installation, Migration, and User Considerations
For new users, the process of deploying MX-25.1 “Infinity” is consistent with recent MX Linux practices: boot from the ISO, select the preferred init at the live menu, and proceed with the guided installer. The improved installer infrastructure simplifies partitioning and system replacement workflows, and Secure Boot support expands compatibility with modern UEFI-centric hardware.
Existing MX 25 installations may continue to receive standard updates through the distribution’s package repositories. However, dual init support introduced on the MX-25.1 ISO is not automatically applied to existing single-init installations. Users who require dual init functionality post-installation need to consult MX Linux support channels for manual configuration steps.
Conclusion
MX-25.1 “Infinity” reinforces MX Linux’s position as a versatile, stable, and user-centric Debian-based distribution. By reintroducing dual init support within a single ISO, the project honours its heritage of flexibility while aligning with contemporary technical realities. Coupled with updated kernels, refreshed tooling, and refined installer features, this point release stands as a robust option for both new adopters and seasoned users looking for an adaptable open-source desktop operating system.
Disclaimer
Trade names and trademarks referenced in this article belong to their respective owners. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content at the time of publication. Readers are encouraged to use open-source software responsibly and in accordance with applicable licences and local laws.
References
MX-25.1 “Infinity” ISOs now available!
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