Linux Mint's new kernel cleanup feature makes it even more appealing for people escaping Windows

Published Aug 10, 2026, 4:17 PM EDT Simon is a Computer Science BSc graduate who has been writing about technology since 2014, and using Windows machines since 3.1. After working for an indie game studio and acting as the family's go-to technician for all computer issues, he found his passion for writing and decided to use his skill set to write about all things tech. Since beginning his writing career, he has written for many different publications such as WorldStart, Listverse, and MakeTechEasier. However, after finding his home at MakeUseOf in February 2019, he would eventually move on to its sister site, XDA, to bring the latest and greatest in Windows, Linux, and DIY electronics. Sign in to your XDA account Summary Linux Mint will auto-remove old kernels to free disk space and reduce maintenance. Choose a kernel series, enable 'Remove older kernels automatically', and set how many you want to keep. Mint will weekly scrub outdated kernels, making the distro more 'set and forget' for newcomers. If you ask the Linux community which FOSS operating system someone should use as a Windows alternative, they'd usually point to Linux Mint, and for good reason. One of our editors, João Carrasqueira, named it "still the safest bet for people who want Linux without surprises" in his Linux Mint review, and it was also my first taste of using an operating system not made by Microsoft. To make things even easier for newcomers, the team behind Linux Mint is adding a new feature that lets the OS manage your kernels for you. That way, they won't slowly devour your storage if you don't need them anymore Linux Mint will automatically tidy up old kernel versions for you Another thing you won't need to worry about Credit: Linux Mint Over on the Linux Mint blog, the dev team breaks down what it's planning with kernels. If you're new to open-source operating systems, the Linux kernel acts as the beating heart of a distro. The distro itself builds upon the tech, adding software, desktop environments, and tools to help you make the most of it. Just like any other kernel, the Linux kernel receives regular updates. This new Linux Mint feature will let you subscribe to a specific series of Linux kernels. Once you find the one you want to use, you enable the option titled Remove older kernels automatically and set how many past versions of the kernel you want to keep. Linux Mint will then scrub all outdated kernel versions on a weekly basis without you needing to lift a finger. A huge part of what makes a beginner Linux distro great is how much of it people don't need to interact with to get the most out of it. For instance, I fell in love with openSUSE Tumbleweed due to its set-and-forget Snapper backup system, something that I was reminded of when I tried returning to Windows. The Linux Mint team hasn't revealed if this update will arrive in a future smaller patch or if it will be bundled in with its big Christmas update, so keep an eye out on its channels for more information.