MX Linux is a midweight, desktop-oriented Linux distribution based on Debian Stable 13 "trixie" that emphasizes stability, performance, and ease of use. MX Linux uses core antiX components, with additional software created or packaged by the MX community. The development of MX Linux is a collaborative effort between the antiX and former MEPIS communities. The MX name comes from the "M" in MEPIS and the "X" in antiX â an acknowledgment of their roots.
The MX Linux community's stated goal is to produce "a family of operating systems that are designed to combine elegant and efficient desktops with high stability and solid performance". They maintain an active community with comprehensive documentation, support forum, and video tutorials to support diverse user needs.
MX Linux began in a discussion about future options among members of the MEPIS community in December 2013. Developers from antiX then joined them, bringing the ISO build system as well as Live-USB/DVD technology. To be listed on the Linux distribution clearinghouse Web site DistroWatch, MX Linux was initially presented as a version of antiX called MX "Fusion". It received its own DistroWatch page with the release of the first public beta of MX Linux 16 "Metamorphosis" on 2 November 2016.
MX Linux offers ISO images for installation that can be downloaded directly or by using BitTorrent. Physical discs can also be bought from retailers. Fluxbox, KDE and Xfce are available in 64-bit variants of those releases.
The MX Devs create Snapshots for ease of installation after a release. These begin a few months after a release. Snapshots include all upgrades & subsequent bug fixes. This greatly reduces the time spent and updating bandwidth usage during an installation.
MX Linux uses Xfce as the main desktop environment, to which it adds a freestanding KDE Plasma version and, in 2021, a stand-alone Fluxbox implementation. Other environments can be added or are available as "spin-off" ISO images.
The four MX Linux editions:
The MX Linux editions major difference from each other in the following:
A table of current MX Linux Development Team supported releases and how long Debian will provide Long Term Support.
Historical releases<br /> MX Linux 14-21
With MX Linux being based on Debian Stable this provides high reliability and long-term support through rigorously tested packages, with updates focused on security and bug fixes rather than frequent feature additions. At its core, MX Linux integrates key components from antiX (a lightweight Debian derivative), to create a hybrid architecture. The antiX base contributes to a low-resource boot process and efficient system initialization, allowing MX Linux to run effectively on older hardware while still supporting modern PCs. Kernel options in MX Linux prioritize stability with the Debian 6.12 LTS series. For users with newer hardware, the Advanced Hardware Support (AHS) repository provides access to updated kernels, such as the 6.16 Liquorix variant in MX-25, ensuring broader compatibility without compromising the core stable base.
MX Linux supports installations on both UEFI and legacy BIOS (MBR) PCs, external drives, USB medium and other block access devices through the graphical Gazelle installer
MX Cleanup can now remove: unused dkms drivers (wifi), MX Manuals and FAQs for languages other than the default. MX Linux has a GUI-based method to change the Linux kernel.
MX Tools is a suite of 37+ user-oriented utilities, many of which were developed specifically for MX Linux, while some were forked from existing antiX applications or are existing antiX applications; a couple were imported with permission from outside sources. These tools are also available in Debian Stable-based Linux distributions. The Qt-based GUI MX Tools have been migrated to Qt6.
The MX Tools (see screenshot at right) are as follows:
MX Boot Repair addresses bootloader issues, supporting both BIOS (legacy) and UEFI systems by reinstalling GRUB or regenerating the Grub configuration file. Launched from a live USB session, it offers options to repair GRUB on the installed system, detect operating systems.
Allows installing GRUB themes and updating boot menus for simpler startup customization and handles a common UEFI boot failure like Windows overtaking Grub in boot menu.
A few tools exist in special cases. Live-USB Kernel Updater and Remaster Control Center are stand-alone tools. Eject USB is a stand-alone tool in Fluxbox and Xfce.
A particularly popular one is MX-snapshot, a GUI tool to remaster a live session or installation into a single .ISO file. The "cloned" image is bootable from a disk or USB flash drive, maintaining all settings, allowing an installation to be completely backed up, and/or distributed with minimal administrative effort, since an advanced method of copying the file system developed by antiX Linux uses bind-mounts to perform the "heavy lifting".
MX Linux can be installed or run "Live" (running from USB), unlike a Windows boot USB. Windows can only be installed (no live option). When booted from a USB, you can continue running 'Live' without being prompted to install MX Linux. This Live environment gives you a fully functional desktop experience. MX Linux accomplishes this by way of a runtime inherited from antiX to give a fast read-write live boot media. This can be coupled with a persistent live USB setup to save any changes to settings and new program additions.
As of November 9, 2025, there are a total of 106 MX Linux repository download mirrors worldwide in operation. The MX Linux operated repos almost always are in sync without error. They are: United States: Los Angeles (CA) & Salt Lake City (UT). Alblasserdam (Netherlands) and Milan (Italy).
GDebi was an APT tool that was used to install .deb files from earlier versions of Debian. Deb Installer, a new MX Tool (GUI) can install local .deb files like the dpkg command, but with access to repositories to resolve dependencies.
Included: MX Package Installer, Synaptic, Deb Installer, Aptitude, APT and Nala. Discover is used on the KDE edition as Synaptic is not installed by default. Flatpaks are managed via the MX Package Installer. AppImage and Snaps are currently user-managed.
Minimum
Recommended
The developers of MX Linux have also been releasing their own "Community Re-spins", which are treated as unofficial releases. They currently are:
This âÂÂRagout2â is a specialized, Debian-based Linux distribution optimized for Raspberry Pi 4, 400, and 5, combining MX Linux's, MX Linux's tools with the Pi's hardware capabilities. It features a lightweight XFCE desktop, Chromium browser, and is noted for being fast, stable, and user-friendly, supporting GPIO and common desktop apps. A tips Wiki article is available. Both a Raspberry Pi and an Orange Pi editions are offered.
Some community members exchange posts at the MX Linux Forum and distribute their own custom respins.