MX Linux 25.1 Features Dual Init System ISO
The latest release of MX Linux caters to lovers of two different init systems and even offers instructions on how to transition.
Are you a fan of systemd or do you prefer SysVinit? Either way, you'll be glad to know that the latest release of MX Linux caters to both.
With the unleashing of MX Linux 25.1, you'll find both systemd and SysVinit on the same ISO. This choice was made to reduce the number of builds the developers had to do, while also catering to both camps. The caveat to this is that if you installed MX Linux from the 25.0 ISO, you'll have to stick with the init system you chose, unless you're willing to work through the process the developers have outlined for transitioning to the dual init system.
Related to the dual init system ISO, there are some user-oriented changes. The tendency for MX-23 to break polkit/dbus on either logging in or out does not appear to happen with this version. Systemd will continue to get updates via Debian (and not MX Linux). Finally, since snapshots currently do not have dual init menus, snapshot users will get the installed system's default init as the live default.
Although you won't find a ton of new features in MX Linux 25.1, the dual init system is a pretty big deal. Prior to this release, MX Linux offered separate ISOs for each system, so this is a big step forward to simplify things for both developers and users.
You can read the full announcement online, as well as download the ISO.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Digital Autonomy
• The Answer Was Already on the Shelf
• Changing the Chip Industry: How Public Investment Has Grown Open Silicon
• United Nations Open Source Portal Goes Live
• EU Open Source Strategy Plays Key Role in Tech Sovereignty Package
• France Says “Au Revoir” to Microsoft
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Pine64 Halts Production of Linux Devices
With continued DRAM and eMMC shortages, Pine64 has decided to discontinue production of Linux devices.
-
The Bullet-Proof KDE Software Initiative Is Coming
KDE, Techpaladin, and Kubuntu Focus have announced a new initiative that will provide at least three years of support for KDE Plasma 6.6 LTS and related software.
-
Linux Mint Shares a Possible Kernel Cleanup Solution
For those on Linux Mint who like to keep multiple kernels around but don't want them to take up too much space, you might be getting a new automated tool.
-
CachyOS Gets an Update
CachyOS August 2026 release is now available with the latest version of KDE, some new features, and plenty of improvements.
-
The Linux Kernel Dev Staging Area Now Rejects AI-Generated Patches
Unless a kernel patch is a valid security fix, it will be rejected if it was created using AI.
-
Linux Surpasses Double-Digit Market Share
According to two sources, the Linux operating system has hit a major milestone in market share that naysayers thought would never happen.
-
AI Helped Develop a Linux Exploit
A use-after-free race exploit was discovered and exploited on CentOS Stream 9.
-
Yet Another Linux Kernel Vulnerability Discovered
Affecting millions of systems, a kernel flaw discovered by Qualys could allow users to gain root privileges.
-
Ubuntu 26.10 to Include Ubuntu Certified Hardware Check
If you've ever wondered if your laptop or PC is officially certified to run Ubuntu, that curiosity will soon be met.
-
Substantial Update to IPFire Now Available
The lastest version of IPFire features a fundamental change to how the system handles DNS.
