ABOUT MeX Linux 260331
I’ve uploaded a new version of MeX, in which I’ve included Kodi Omega 21.1. Kodi is an award-winning free and open source (GPL) software media player and entertainment hub that can be installed on Linux, OSX, Windows, iOS, tvOS and Android. It is designed around a “10-foot user interface” for use with televisions and remote controls. NOTE about Kodi: I have installed Kodi 21.1 using Flatpak. Kodi from the Ubuntu repositories does not work in Ubuntu 26.04. Kodi 21.1 runs very well in MeX. On a web site called FireStickTricks you can find instructions how to install 30 (?!) extra Kodi Builds with their own repositories and skins. The article is called Best Kodi Builds for 2026. I’ve tried Scrubs today. Works very well. Read about how to install Scrubs V2. Otherwise MeX version 260331 works in the same way as previous versions.
NOTE about Ubuntu 26.04 LTS: It will be released in a stable version 260423 and supported until April, 2031.
Extra Desktop Environments: Besides GNOME 50 (with Wayland) you can use the GNOME Flashback (Compiz) Desktop and the GNOME Flashback (Metacity) Desktop. Those DE’s are using X11 (Xorg) instead of Wayland.
NEWS/CHANGES 260331
Mex Linux is no longer based on Linux Mint. MeX Build 260331 is based only on Debian Sid and upcoming Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Resolute Raccoon. I have replaced the original kernel (7.0) with “my” special kernel 7.0.0-rc5-amd64-exton. All installed packages in MeX Linux have been upgraded to the latest version by 260331. This version of MeX uses the GNOME Desktop. I.e. GNOME 50 Tokyo and Kodi 21.1. You can run Kodi “windowed” while logged in to Gnome. The very nice icon theme Papirus is installed and used. Everything works inside Kodi. Even YouTube. (It can be a bit tricky to create an API key and OAuth credentials). Many (most) Kodi addons can’t run without YouTube.
MORE MeX NEWS 260331
1. The MeX ISO is now a ISO-hybrid, which means that it can very easily be transferred (copied) to a USB pen drive.
2. Another big improvement is that MeX now can run from RAM. Use Boot alternative 2 (load to RAM). When the system has booted up you can eject the disc (DVD)/USB stick. You’ll need at least 6 GB RAM to run MeX that way. The ISO file is of only 3490 MB so MeX will run super fast from RAM!
3. I have replaced Google Chrome with Firefox. Google Chrome is no longer needed to be able to run Netflix in Linux.
4. The best thing with this new MeX build – Create your own installable Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Live System with Refracta Snapshot (pre-installed)! The whole remaster process is so simple that a 10 year old child can do it.
5. I have installed Calamares Installer as in many of my other Linux builds. Calamares is an installer framework. By design it is very customizable, in order to satisfy a wide variety of needs and use cases. Very easy to use. You can use Calamares to install MeX on both UEFI computers and non UEFI computers (for example VirtualBox and VMware).
Important about Refracta Snapshot
You can use the Refracta Snapshot (pre-installed in MeX Build 260331) to create your own installable Ubuntu Live DVD/USB once you have installed MeX to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Ubuntu 26.04 LTS live system. When you start Refracta Snapshot it will look like this. You don t even have to install MeX to hard drive before you can use the Refracta Snapshot. If you have plenty of RAM you can create a new (your own!) Ubuntu system while running MeX from DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) will only take 10 30 min! You can then install VirtualBox in MeX so you can test run your own created new Ubuntu ISO. Or do it in Windows. Btw: You can do the whole thing in VirtualBox or VMware. I mean install MeX in VirtualBox, change everything, create a new Ubuntu 26.04 system using Refracta Snapshot and transfer your new ISO to your server with FileZilla (pre-installed). Or use Samba – screenshot.
NOTE1: If you want to create your own distro you must install MeX to a partition of at least 40 GB. You ll find your new ISO file in /home/snapshot. (You can of course change that before you start Refracta Snapshot).
NOTE2: You may have to do the remaster process in 3 steps. Watch this screenshot.
The system language is ENGLISH.
Program content etc
To make it possible to run MeX from RAM I have kept down the number of installed packages. The MeX ISO file is of 3490 MB. All packages have been updated to the latest available stable version as of March 31, 2026. See a complete list of all installed packages.
Used KERNEL
Kernel 7.0.0-rc5-amd64-exton
COMPATIBILITY
Differences: Ubuntu 26.04 LTS and MeX Linux is different only in principle to the terms of program content. A general truth: If an original system can run on a particular computer an “Exton remaster” of the same original system can run on the same computer. I never change a Linux system for the worse in terms of auto configuration and hardware detection, etc. It happens that I replace the original kernel (which I have done in this case), but always to a “better” one with even more native support for various hardware etc.
Passwords and login
The password for root (superuser) is root. When you start up MeX from the live DVD/USB stick you will end up at GDM3’s login screen. Log in as Linux User. Watch this screenshot. The password for the ordinary user user is live. You can also log in to the GNOME Desktop from GDM3 as root (“Other”). The password for root is root – screenshot of the Desktop for root…
NOTE: While logged in to GNOME as root you won’t have sound.
During the installation process (using Calamares or Refracta Installer) you’ll get the chance to create your own ordinary user.
Installation to hard drive
Note that you in advance (just in case) should create a partition of at least 40 GB for MeX Linux and a SWAP space double the size of your computer’s RAM. I.e. if you have RAM of 1024 MB or less. If you have RAM of 2 GB or more it’s enough with a SWAP space of 2 GB. The installation program in MeX is otherwise “intuitive”. Choose manual partitioning and select the partition you created in advance for installation. Use Refracta Installer. Or use Calamares Installer. Read more about hard drive installations…
NOTE: In the end of the installation process you will get an error message. Just ignore it and shut down Calamares. Watch this screenshot…
Language settings
After a hard drive installation you may want to change /home/YourUser/.bashrc. Also: If you want to have Firefox and Thunderbird (for example) in your language you’ll have to install locale files via Synaptic.
Keyboard settings
The command setxkbmap se (example) won’t work in MeX since MeX (normally) uses GNOME 50 with Wayland. Therefore you’ll have to change the standard keyboard layout (us) via Settings. That is when logged in to the standard GNOME 50 Desktop. You can – however – also log in to the GNOME Flashback (Compiz) Desktop and to the GNOME Flashback (Metacity) Desktop. Then you won’t have Wayland.
Samba – connect to your Windows computers
Samba is running all the time so you can very easily reach your Windows computers.
USB installation
Read my USB INSTRUCTION.
Known issue
When using Calamares Installer in VirtualBox you’ll have to edit /boot/grub/grub.cfg when the installation is ready. You must remove the word “splash” on the linux boot line. Otherwise MeX won’t boot. Watch this screenshot…
Who can benefit from MeX?
All who like Debian/Ubuntu and want a system that is easy to use and maintain. And of course those who want to create their own Ubuntu 26.04 LTS system in a very simple way with Refracta Snapshot. Regarding MeX also those who want to run a Linux system super fast from RAM and/or like to run Linux from a USB flash drive. And those who want a new kernel – 7.0.0-rc5 – and one the latest stable Kodi versions – 21.1.
Watch a YouTube Video about MeX Linux…
SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – Calamares Installer running
Screenshot 2 – The user Desktop using GNOME 50
Screenshot 3 – The user Desktop using the GNOME Flashback (Compiz) Desktop
Screenshot 4 – Showing a WiFi connection
Screenshot 5 – Showing some Kodi addons
Screenshot 6 – Showing some other Kodi pre-installed addons
Screenshot 7 – MeX GDM3 login Screen
DOWNLOAD
MeX Linux can be downloaded from SourceForge.net – Fast, secure and free downloads from the largest Open Source applications and software director.
md5sum for MeX Linux ISO which is of 3490 MB.