How to install Linux Mint GUI
Linux Mint GUI is an Ubuntu-based Linux distribution that consists of various free and open source applications. Apart from its many diverse uses, it prefers mainly for providing a full range of multimedia support. This however is optional and users may choose to skip this feature during installation. But, it nonetheless allows users to set up a complete multimedia server.
Features of Linux Mint
Unlike version 17.3, which used proprietary software to complete installation, such as codecs and plug-ins, version 18 did not require any licensed software while 18.1 onwards, users will have the option to include licensed, third-party software that can support by Mint.
The list of software features that prepackage into Linux Mint is impressive, to say the least. These include Firefox, Thunderbird, Hexchat, Transmission, and VLC Media Player, to count a few.
Software that not includes by default can also include using various means. Most commonly the Package Manager or adding a source to the sources file in the etc directory. Using the compatibility layer software for Linux, one can also operate software designed for Windows.
The featured desktop environments on Linux Mint are Cinnamon and Mate. These bring the added advantage of supporting many languages.
Cinnamon and Mint Tools
Both of these are signature tools on the Linux Mint. Cinnamon is the default desktop environment that was made a permanent feature since Mint13, while Mint Tools is the name given to a collection of support software that collectively makes for a unique user experience of Linux Mint.
The most significant among the Mint Tools collection are MintInstall (software manager), MintUpdate (Update Manager), and MintMenu(Main Menu). Other features are also identically named to give the brand identity of its own.
Downloading Linux Mint
The ease of installing Linux Mint is only a precursor to how easy it is to use as well. A user-friendly interface that sets off right from the start. Linux Mint can start and run from a USB flash drive on any PC that can handle this operation.
In its true form, Linux Mint comes in the form of an iso image (.iso file) which can use to make a bootable DVD or a bootable USB stick.
Downloading the correct version is the very first requirement if a prerequisite needs at all. Verification of the iso image is important, however. The integrity check confirms that your ISO image was properly downloaded and that your local file is an exact copy of the file present on the download servers. An error during the download could result in a corrupted file and trigger random issues during the installation.
Once verified, you will know if the image is authentic and signed by Mint. To do an integrity check, you may also generate its SHA256 sum and compare it with the sum present in sha256sum.txt.
You can also check the authenticity of the downloaded sha256sum.txt, by importing the Linux Mint signing key.
The download process and verification steps follow by doing a live boot of the media files which then takes us to installation.
Installing Linux Mint
When the live boot from the USB flash drive completes, a live session will initiate and you will log in under the username “Mint”. The screen you see is the Mint desktop environment where the installer is already waiting to go.
The live session user name is Mint. You can override the password prompt by pressing enter
Permanent installation can start by clicking on Install Linux Mint. After this, select your language.
Connect to the internet. If already connected, tick the box to install the multimedia codecs.
Choose the preferred installation type on the next screen.
IMPORTANT: If Linux Mint is the only operating system you want to run on this computer and all data can be lost on the hard drive, choose “Erase disk and install Linux Mint”
You may also choose to install Linux Mint alongside another operating system. By doing this the installer automatically resizes the existing operating system. A boot menu is set up to choose between the two operating systems each time you start your computer.
By clicking on something else, you will get to the screen where you are able to manage and specify partitions for installation.
It is vital that one partition for Linux Mint is set up on the root directory.
Next, you will have to select the file system, ext4 recommends since it is naturally the most popular file system on Linux
Select your time zone.
Then select the keyboard layout.
Almost there! Configure your user profile.
Check the box which says “encrypt my home folder”.
A slide show screen with an installation bar will then appear, while Linux Mint installs. Click on “Restart now” after installation is complete..
You will ask to safely remove the USB flash drive where it all started. When a restart is underway, you will see a boot menu to select Linux Mint or the other OS, if it was not replaces based on your preference during installation.
For the full guide and more information, visit the Linux Mint website by clicking this link
https://linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/