MX Linux 23.6 refines the essentials, offering a fast, stable, and user-centric experience — without the AI bloat and design gimmicks of modern operating systems.

April 14, 2025 — In a tech landscape increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence integrations and design overhauls, MX Linux 23.6 arrives as a refreshingly grounded update. Built on Debian 12.10 “Bookworm,” the latest release continues to prioritize performance, stability, and user control—positioning itself as a compelling alternative to Windows 11.

While Microsoft leans into AI features and controversial interface changes, MX Linux remains focused on the fundamentals. The 23.6 release doesn’t reinvent the wheel—it refines it. For current users of the MX-23 series, the update process is seamless. A standard system update is all that’s required to receive the latest improvements, which include updated packages from both Debian and MX repositories.

One of the highlights of this release is the updated Xfce 4.20 desktop environment. It brings several under-the-hood enhancements, including an improved login sound feature that now waits for the audio server to initialize, eliminating startup hiccups. The MX Package Installer has also received a visual refresh and now handles elevated privileges more effectively.

A standout addition in MX 23.6 is the new UEFI Manager, a tool that gives users direct control over UEFI settings. The utility allows booting straight into UEFI mode without relying on GRUB—a valuable feature for users who prefer hands-on management of system boot configurations.

Hardware support sees meaningful gains as well. The standard kernel has been updated to version 6.1.133, while the AHS (Advanced Hardware Support) edition ships with the Liquorix-based 6.14 kernel. This ensures better compatibility with newer devices. Realtek networking support is now integrated directly into the AHS kernel, and long-standing issues with NVIDIA drivers on newer kernels have been resolved—no more tweaking xorg.conf just to get a working display.

MX Linux 23.6 doesn’t chase trends—it delivers practical, incremental improvements that matter to everyday users. For those disillusioned by the direction of Windows 11, it offers a stable, user-friendly, and distraction-free alternative.

The ISO for new users is available now via the MX Linux official website.