Linux Mint 18.3 “Sylvia” KDE – BETA Release

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This is the BETA release for Linux Mint 18.3 “Sylvia” KDE Edition.

Linux Mint 18.3 Sylvia KDE Edition

Linux Mint 18.3 is a long term support release which will be supported until 2021. It comes with updated software and brings refinements and many new features to make your desktop even more comfortable to use.

New features:

This new version of Linux Mint contains many improvements.

For an overview of the new features please visit:

“What’s new in Linux Mint 18.3 KDE“.

Important info:

The release notes provide important information about known issues, as well as explanations, workarounds and solutions.

To read the release notes, please visit:

“Release Notes for Linux Mint 18.3 KDE”

System requirements:

  • 2GB RAM (2GB recommended for a comfortable usage).
  • 15GB of disk space (20GB recommended).
  • 1024×768 resolution (on lower resolutions, press ALT to drag windows with the mouse if they don’t fit in the screen).

Notes:

  • The 64-bit ISO can boot with BIOS or UEFI.
  • The 32-bit ISO can only boot with BIOS.
  • The 64-bit ISO is recommended for all modern computers (Almost all computers sold since 2007 are equipped with 64-bit processors).

Upgrade instructions:

  • This BETA release might contain critical bugs, please only use it for testing purposes and to help the Linux Mint team fix issues prior to the stable release.
  • It will be possible to upgrade from this BETA to the stable release.
  • It will also be possible to upgrade from Linux Mint 18.2. Upgrade instructions will be published after the stable release of Linux Mint 18.3.

Bug reports:

  • Please report bugs below in the comment section of this blog.
  • When reporting bugs, please be as accurate as possible and include any information that might help developers reproduce the issue or understand the cause of the issue:
    • Bugs we can reproduce, or which cause we understand are usually fixed very easily.
    • It is important to mention whether a bug happens “always”, or “sometimes”, and what triggers it.
    • If a bug happens but didn’t happen before, or doesn’t happen in another distribution, or doesn’t happen in a different environment, please mention it and try to pinpoint the differences at play.
    • If we can’t reproduce a particular bug and we don’t understand its cause, it’s unlikely we’ll be able to fix it.
  • Please visit https://github.com/linuxmint/Roadmap to follow the progress of the development team between the BETA and the stable release.

Download links:

Here are the download links for the 64-bit ISO:

A 32-bit ISO image is also available at https://www.linuxmint.com/download_all.php.

Integrity and authenticity checks:

Once you have downloaded an image, please verify its integrity and authenticity.

Anyone can produce fake ISO images, it is your responsibility to check you are downloading the official ones.

Enjoy!

We look forward to receiving your feedback. Many thanks in advance for testing the BETA!

73 comments

  3. bien qu’en fait il ne gâche pas vpn l2tp il y a un kit de distribution russe à la cannelle ROSA R9 vpn l2tp là travaillant avec une image en direct ne peut pas être injecté dans la cannelle?

    Reply

    1. Hi Igor,

      This is a really bad translation 🙂 We got your feedback on l2tp during the Cinnamon BETA and this was considered outside of our scope. Though, out of curiosity, which package(s) in particular are you talking about?

    2. It shows from his own Russian text that Igor wishes to get the Mint Cinnamon iso but with the vpn l2tp package already preinstalled, as a Christmas gift. And even in his Russian text, there are so many misspellings, mistakes, and no any punctuation that the automatic translator is not able to get it right, as well as Santa, sorry… 🙂

    2. That is why I left Mint (which I loved to use for more than 5 years). Now I’m running SolydK, based on Debian stable, which runs very stable Plasma 5.8.6. I have tried KDE Neon with a newer Plasma version (5.8.8) which was not stable yet. One out of five times it refused to start after loggin in.
      Mint is great if you like Cinnamon (although unstable for me in Mint 18.2) or Xfce or Mate (stable but old fashioned) but for KDE you better start looking for something else now.
      Don’t get me wrong, I understand why Mint drops KDE but it makes me a bit sad.

  5. internet cable VPN L2tp. In the live image there is no network manager l2tp-could you add it to live image. With insecure re-producers to install a nepod, and I can not connect to the Internet in L2TP. Can eat where the image in which works in L2tp. In KDE only the shell of the program is not present. Many providers use VPN L2TP

    Reply

  6. Нет ли у вас с образа минт корицы с уже установленным VPN L2TP ? Приходиться использовать windows хотя за 4 года привык и полюбил минт корицу . Я нашел только ROSA R9 с рабочими VPN но таким линукс пусть сами пользуются. Не получается без интернета установить L2tp .

    Reply

  7. Очень много провайдеров интернета использую L2p ролтеры сильно режут скорость приходиться использовать кабель в компьютер. Очень много на форумах неудачных установок протокола l2tp . Без интернета вобще его установить не получается. Внедрите пожалуйста VPN L2TP в дистрибутив. Хорошо бы ссылку linux mint с рабочим l2tp. Он нужен в дистрибутиве ! linux без интернета сами понимаете….

    Reply

  8. Еще бы установщик видео драйверов в будущий LMDE3 и VPN L2tp – К новому году желанье ! В linux ROSA R9 KDE очень много работающих с образа VPN их бы внедрить в Дистрибутив linux mint .

    Reply

  10. А ещо я удаляю Rhythmbox и ставлю вместо него Audacious в исполнении винампа Все остальные утилиты и программы в корице я обожаю ! Надеюсь меня услышит.

    Reply

  12. Bug in Cinnamon?

    Cinnamon freezes quite often and enters a “fallback modus” from where I can restart Cinnamon.
    Usually it happens immedeately after login or when I close windows.

    Reply

  13. I think it’s unfortunate that what we’ve seen in the last several years is a loss of focus on the part of DE (UI) designers as to the importance of the DE, relative to distributions themselves. (A ‘new’–different–UI/DE will not turn a flagging distribution around; but a poor UI/DE will certainly hobble and cripple a good distribution)
    The designers of DEs need to understand that their contribution is NOT the major portion of the distribution.
    A LOT of users need to understand this primary, major concept also.

    Reply

  14. I fear this transmission. last I used kde plasma it was buggy af. It was only about 2 weeks ago. Had a lot of issues with it.

    Reply

  15. I’m waiting stable edition.
    The Backup Tool is compatible with similar tool from Linux Mint Maya? I wish to get data from Home directory.
    RAM usage is 500MB, but something is using CPU little more than Linux Mint KDE 18.2 (maybe plasmashell process).
    I still hope you will not abandon KDE edition.
    Best Regards to Linux Mint Team.

    Reply

  16. I have problems with linux mint on the asus x99-a with i7-5820k cpu@3.30 Ghz Nvideo geforce gtx970
    an old version worked !
    It would be nice to know if it is compatible ?
    the system crashes on Linux Mint 18.3 , by install

    Reply

  17. 3 dec 2017 22hour local NL
    In LM18.3 I got a problem with the terminal using ”su’. It wont accept my password.
    I can login as usual.
    Using GParted accepts the password as usual.
    Do I do something wrong?

    Reply

    2. I’m using Mate too! You might need to download your LM 18.3 mate again or purchased usb stick with LM 18.3 MATE . I downloaded mine 32 bit mate from DistroWatch. I had to use the 32 bit to help cool down my old T7200 cpu by 15 degrees. The 64 bit os is too snappy, cpu could not keep up. My old Inspiron E1505 motherboard was built for 32 bit os : ) Graphic card cool down way better than the cpu by 50 degrees :{

  18. hola equipo de linux mint. estoy muy feliz con la salida beta de KDE 18.3 siendo que no he visto ningun error yo creo que ustedes hiceron un muy buen trabajo. los felicito por traernos un sistema operativo tan versatil y funcional. SPANISH

    hello linux mint team. I am very happy with the beta output of KDE 18.3 since I have not seen any errors I think you did a very good job. I congratulate you for bringing us such a versatile and functional operating system. ENGLISH

    Reply

  20. So I’m not a programmer or anything. I just think Linux is a cool OS and also I want to learn to program. Anyways, I have never had a problem installing Linux Mint (Older versions) on my laptops. However, this time I was trying to install Linux beside Windows and I got an error after booting and getting into the GRUB. My specs are the following:
    Asrock Z170 extreme4 Motherboard
    Intel core i5 6600k Processor
    16gb DDR4 2400Mhz Ram
    Intel NVMe 256 SSD with two more hardrives totalling 3tb and 256 ssd with windows 10 pro.
    Nvidia GTX 1080Ti Graphics Card
    Thermaltake 750W Bronze Power Supply
    Hyper 212 Evo cooler (lol).
    The error I get is the following:
    [0.017282] ACPI Error [\_sb_pcio.xhc_.rhub.hs11] Namespace lookup failure, AE_NOT_FOUND (20160930/dswload-210)
    [0.017288] ACPI Exception: AE_NOT_FOUND, During name lookup/catalog (20160930/psobject-227)
    [0.017316] ACPI Exception: AE_NOT_FOUND, (SSDT:xh_rvp08) while loading table (20160930/tbxfload-228)
    [0.023007] ACPI Error: 1 table load failure, 5 successful (20160930/tbxfload-246)

    What I did:
    I made my usb flashdrive bootable with the program Universal-USB-Installer-1.9.7.9.exe. I formatted the 16Gb flashdrive before making it bootable, and I also selected the option to format the flashdrive before making my bootable flashdrive. Then I proceeded to restart Windows. I then pressed the button that took me to the BIOS. I then selected the boot option to be the one that had UEFI: Name of Flashdrive as the priority. I then saved the changes and exited. After it restarted, it took me to the GRUB. Here I chose the first option. After that it showed me the error I have typed above. I have chosen the other options as well. However, they all show the same thing except the for when I run in compatibility mode, which is another error Its a screen long so I can’t type all of it. I took a picture, if you need it I can send it to you. But the last line that I saw was [3958455] fb: switching to nouveaufb from EFI VGA… and nothing happens. So I am forced to press the restart button on my tower with both errors.

    Reply

    1. It became impossible to boot into some linuxes on some laptops in the beginning of 2017. On my asus ul50v since then, I’ve had to install the previous linuxes (kernels before 4.10), install the necessary drivers – some of nvidia, bumblebee, primus, microcode. And only after then, consequently upgrade to the latest builds with newer kernels. For example, the latest Parted Magic USB stick I can boot normally is 2017-01-08, Fedora – 25, Mint – I don’t remember which one 🙂
      BTW, the ACPI errors look not to be fatal. I always have all four of them on all my machines when a newer linux kernel is booted, it’s ‘OK’ 🙂 The fatal is the incompatibility of newer kernels and some hardware plus the absence of some drivers in the iso.
      But the problem can be resolved sometimes, with a great amount of hacking efforts in installing and testing the needed drivers, and then upgrading from the previous builds booted properly. The clones of the hard drives are necessary for restoring OS every time. Because it may take many attempts to achieve though some of a result, sorry… 🙁

  21. Will KDE users keep getting non-plasma software updates after 18.3 or that’s it for good and we’ll have to use whatever versions are available in 18.3 unless we switch to different Mint edition?

    Reply

    1. You’ll continue to receive package updates on the base until 2021 (not new features, but bug and security fixes). You’ll also receive updates on Plasma/KDE from Kubuntu via their Backports PPA which is used by default in this edition.

  22. 相信用ubuntu的人是不喜欢win的布局的，而我是尤为讨厌菜单放下面的ubuntu，怎么不页面仿下mac呢

    Reply

  24. I agree with the users that “It just WORKS”. Been using Mint since version 5 or so. Currently using 17.3 on 4 computers. I have always just saved my Home folder (or its contents), installed the new OS, and transferred all the old info. Any problem (or disadvantage) with that. Thanks

    Reply

    1. I’ve always done that too. Some config files might not be right from one version to the next, so a few things might not work as expected (though I’ve never had any issues). If you don’t repartition your drive (just reuse the same partition layout) and don’t reformat your /usr partition, you don’t even have to save and restore your home folder (DO back it up to an external HD just in case though!).

  26. I had installed Linux Mint 18.3 Cinnamon Sylvia yesterday ( 6 Dec 2017) ( first Linux on my own PC) and had to hard boot my PC thrice since.
    1) On clicking Suspend, it slept but I couldn’t wake it again.
    2) While using Stellarium, on clicking settings, the PC went to lock screen and no key (even ctrl+alt+del) would change that. Even time didn’t update.
    3) Today When my screen prompted low battery, as soon as I switched power on, the screen went black and I had to hard boot when no key or key combination was working..

    Provided that I have Windows (and important files) on my laptop too , I want a stable version of Linux on my PC. Should I switch to an older version of Mint?
    Also, if possible, please explain the cause of these problems, as I am expecting to contribute to open source.

    Reply

  27. Everything is working perfectly on a Dell Inspiron laptop from 2011. This KDE environment is great, looks cool and functions well. I am very impressed and I like it much more than Cinnamon, which i used for the last few years. No issues yet.

    Reply

  28. When Linux Mint 19 releases, please use swap file instead of swap partition like Ubuntu does from 17.10 release. 🙂

    Commands for switching to swap file:
    sudo fallocate -l 2G /swapfile
    sudo chmod 600 /swapfile
    sudo mkswap /swapfile
    sudo swapon /swapfile
    sudo xed /etc/fstab or sudo nano /etc/fstab
    Then copy/paste this line:
    /swapfile none swap defaults 0 0

    Reply

    1. You can change the 2G to 3G or 4G what swap file size you prefer. If you don’t hibernate you can keep swap file size 2G or 3G as its almost never used.

      As swap partition is almost never used unless you use hibernate, swap file is better option otherwise you will be just wasting hard drive space of around size little more than your Ram or perhaps double the size or your Ram.

      Maybe Mint team should ask users whether to use swap file or swap partition during install, swap file being a default option so those who want to use hibernate can opt for swap partition. 🙂

  29. Mint KDE 17.3 has been so stable and suitable for my needs that I never upgraded to 18. Well, now that you’ve had such a long time to really polish this new line, I’ll probably take this final upgrade, knowing I’ll be good till 2021. Then, I’ll have a hard choice to make, sure wish you’d keep the KDE edition, it’s probably the best one there is!

    Reply

  30. Please tell me this newer version is going to support Microsoft Office 2016 and later and even more exe. files because what I’m using currently (mint 18) does not support Microsoft office (ie I can’t install it even with “wine”. why?)

    Reply

    2. If you want to install MS Office 2016 and use lots of .exe files, perhaps you should just install Windows?

    3. Stay on Microsloth Windows if you want to use MS Office and .exe files. Don’t introduce crappy MS software on superior Linux systems. It ruins a well designed system. Libre Office is fine for most of us. And for most other applications a Linux alternative is available.
      Or just make a dual boot system if you can’t leave Microsoft yet. I have dropped MS completely five years ago and never missed it…

  31. Wilo, please I like to use the linux mint but the only issue I’m having is the Office. if I’m able to install it, it will be enough for me. I even won’t think about the rest of the exe. files.

    Reply

  32. Eric, Wilo is right. And the best way to install Win is a Virtual Machine. VirtualBox is amazingly easy to use for getting full Win10 run natural way in linux. And it looks like the best way for using most of win software, IMHO. I’ve installed and tested office 2016, And the packages I’ve tested – Ps, and the most famous computer added design app, for example, – all are running seamlessly in the separate desktop window (full screen or not) of the guest Win OS. It’s if to test Win 10 enterprise. Pro ruins everything for me 🙂
    But I still can’t assign to my Skype account though. So I have to use web Skype on the host linux system,

    Reply

    2. Thank you, thatcat7, I’ll have a look at QEMU. I can’t have near native speed on VirtualBox, that’s right. Though it’s ok for my 2D production with no animation still. So I’m using it but who knows.

  33. Thanks guys….thatcat7 I’ve downloaded the codeweavers but it’s rather unfortunate that I would have to use the trial version but I really appreciate you help. Well, I think the developers have to improve on the Libreoffices interface cus it looks pretty old and not catchy.

    Reply

    1. Ms Office 2016 seems impossible to be working well on crossover. I did try but it’s very bugy. I am using Ms Office 2010+Sp2 instead (esp. Word, Excel, PPoint, Visio, and Outlook)

    2. Its a commercial version of wine so yeah you will need to pay for it but i think Wine Staging will soon add support for Microsoft Office 2016.

      https://wine-staging.com/

      Currently of Wine can run Microsoft Office 2007, 2010 and 2013 if you don’t mind using older version of Microsoft Office.

      For Microsoft Office 2016 its best to run it in VirtualBox or QEMU for now.

    3. I’m using Playonlinux to run my MS-Office software for a number of years now. Works fine. Make sure you install the MS-Office Fonts into the Ms-Office virtual drive also.

  34. I’ve got Microsoft Office 2013 but I still can’t install it with wine. Ah!!! what the hell is wrong with my OS or the wine is not configured properly yet. The last time I checked the wine pubbed up a message telling me to download/install .Net the first time I lunched “wine” but I skipped it. I’m pretty sure that’s the reason. Guys is there any way out to install the .Net

    Reply

    1. Wine can be a real pain to get up and running properly for new users.
      The best thing to do is spend a decent amount of time going through tutorials online. A good place to start is https://wiki.winehq.org/Main_Page
      I generally avoid windows software entirely wherever possible, opting for their open source alternatives wherever suitable ones are available.
      When I can’t get by without a certain piece of Windows software, I just run a virtual machine. It’s easier to set up and less likely to run into compatibility issues.

  35. This will be the best KDE Plasma LTS distro ever.
    I hope you will change your mind and release a Linux Mint 19 KDE with the new Plasma 5.12LTS, the KDE users community really needs such a user friendly, stable and polished distro.

    Reply

  36. Hello guys, please I’m stuck between Mint 18.3 Cinnamon and Mint 18.3 KDE. Don’t know which one to go for. Any advice?

    Reply

    2. @Andrea: Absolutely… My first choice as well…

      …except that they’ll be killing it after this version… 🙁

  37. Please is Linux Mint deb or rpm? Funny question right? Pardon me cos I’m now getting to know much about Linux and Linux Mint to be precise. Thanks.

    Reply

    2. But try to install software via the software manager if possible because only in that way you will receive automatic updates via Mint update! So use .deb files only if there is no other option and be sure they are from a reliable source.

  38. I do not think it as a goodbye, but until we meet again. Thanks for all the HARD work that the team did and it has been an honor to have known you guys and gals. Mint is a truly wonderful distro. I feel that it fulfilled what Linus himself wanted. A distro that can be technical for the tech people and easy for the non-tech people, treating all equally. As the Hawaiians say; “Aloha oi”

    Reply

  40. I just installed Linux Mint 18.3 Cinnamon 64 bit.

    I cannot get it to run beyond the initial Start as it asks for a login and a password. I found out the login should be Mint but I am unable to find out what do I use for a password. Someone online said you do not need to put a password in – that you just need to hit “enter: That does not work for me.

    Reply

  41. I just installed Linux Mint 18.3 64 bit. When I run it it wants a login and a password. I put mint in the login but I have no idea what to use for a password. I read online that I only need to hit “enter’ and it will run but that does not work for me. What do I use for a password ?

    Reply

    3. You’re probably better off using a PPA.
      That way, the package manager can keep it updated to the latest version as updates are released.
      Here: https://launchpad.net/~libreoffice/+archive/ubuntu/ppa

      Add it to your system using the “software sources” application OR these commands:
      sudo add-apt-repository ppa:libreoffice/ppa
      sudo apt-get update

      Install it using the “Software Manager” application OR this command:
      sudo apt-get install libreoffice

      —
      That aside, Version: 5.1.6.2 is the one offered with Linux Mint and it works just fine. In fact, I’ve found some minor annoyances with the newer version. Be careful what you wish for.

    4. Eric, it’s better to use ppa when possible and everybody can tell you the same here. And you will yet be having many opportunities to experiment with deb packages later on. If for LibreOffice, I usually install with Software Manager these apps too:
      hunspell
      hunspell-?? (additional language extensions – en, for example, or any other)
      mythes-?? (additional language extensions – en, for example, or any other)
      hyphen-?? (additional language extensions – en, for example, or any other)
      It’s to have a very good spelling facility in LibreOffice right from the very start.

  43. I’ve been using the 18.3 KDE Beta for a while and it is flawless. I love it. I will be using this one for a long time.

    Sure hope someone changes their mind and we see KDE again in the future in Mint.

    Thanks to everyone for your hard work with the KDE project.

    Reply

  44. YOU TRAITORS!!!

    (I went back and found out what all those comments are about)

    I went from Cinnamon to KDE only to be left out in the dark just as I was getting comfortable with it.
    I was planning on switching the rest of my PCs from another distro to Linux Mint KDE only to find out now it’ll be going away. (though I guess that’s better than finding out after switching)

    I’m not going back now. Plasma 5 is superior to everything else out there. I’m so sad to go, but I’ll be leaving Linux Mint in search of another suitable KDE distro.

    Reply

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