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Linux Mint has announced that it will start offering updated HWE (Hardware Enablement) ISO images to improve installation support on newer hardware. These refreshed images will include more recent Linux kernels than those found in the standard release ISOs.
In Linux distributions, HWE refers to providing a newer kernel and updated hardware support components while keeping the same stable base system. This is especially important for newer laptops, CPUs, chipsets, Wi-Fi devices, and graphics hardware that may not work properly with the kernel included in the original release.
With this change, Linux Mint aims to reduce compatibility issues without requiring users to wait for a full new version of the OS. Instead, it will periodically release updated ISOs that integrate newer kernels from its existing package base.
The first of these is Linux Mint 22.3 HWE, which ships with Linux kernel 6.17. The standard Linux Mint 22.3 edition will still be available, but the HWE version is better suited for systems where the default installer struggles to recognize or fully support the hardware.
Previously, Linux Mint tackled this need through its “Edge” ISOs, which also targeted newer hardware. The new HWE naming makes the purpose clearer—same Mint release, but with enhanced hardware compatibility thanks to a newer kernel.
Existing Linux Mint users don’t need to reinstall their systems to benefit from this. HWE ISOs are mainly intended for fresh installations, particularly on machines with compatibility problems. For older or already supported systems, the regular ISO remains the recommended option.
For more details, see the announcement. Downloads are available here.
