MX Linux Forum

Hi everyone,

I would like to have an unattended way to install MX Linux to different computer, Virtual machine etc...

Of course I could create a backup image, but I suppose I'll loss the install automation's ( hardware check etc... )

What could work to have those cover

• local
• timezone
• hostname
• SMB service (enable/disable)
• daemons (enable/disable)
• xfce theme selection
• MX Tweak's
• Workspace settings
• Thunar settings

Thanks.

It's not a feature of the installer that we tested extensively but there's an --auto and --config option. See the minstall --help. Give it a try...

Keep in mind that a config file created under MX 23 will not work for the upcoming release due to major changes in the installer.

Thanks @Adrian & @AK-47 !

I've looked in a installed MX for /mnt/antiX/etc/minstall.conf but it's not present, I guess it's only there in a live session ?

But I've found /etc/minstall.conf is that file have all the options that can be set ?

Covered by minstall (By what I can see for now)

• local
• timezone
• hostname
• SMB service (enable/disable)
• daemons (enable/disable)
  
• xfce theme selection
• MX Tweak's
• Workspace settings
• Thunar settings

This is already super nice !




Eadwine: hash code changed from BFFFBF (very bright unreadable green) to dark blue.

Please change the unreadable color to something easier to read like a dark blue. Thank you.

Sorry I misread this as How to create an unintended install

You could always achieve most of this using a snapshot for distribution ISO with nothing saved from the host accounts desktop etc. Setup the Desktop as you wish, then selectively and very carefully merge only the changes you desire carefully added to /etc/skel. Test the desktop changes with a new user acct to see if your /etc/skel mods work as expected. Once satisfied, make your snapshot.

This works well for Xfce or MXFB, never tried it with KDE because many of the configs are deep down in the system rather than in the homedir. Ensure you make a fully featured Live USB with MX LUM from the created ISO.

If the machines you're intending to install it to are a mixture of MBR boot and EFI Boot, you'll have to do this next step twice, once for each type. On the first run, set the options in the grub boot screen for the locale, language and any other tweak you desire from the available types, then save the settings and they'll be automatically applied next time you run the Live USB.

As I work on many Windows machines and frequently boot customer machines with my MX Live USB, I set the clock to use local time, else, where I live, on shutdown, the BIOS clock will be wound back exactly 12 hours, which is very easy to overlook because the HH:MM remain exactly the same in Windows, but the AM/PM shifts out of sync and the browsers complain bitterly.

EFI boot uses a text based menu style while MBR boot uses a Fn Key driven menu system. You only need to ensure you choose the right option to save your selections before you complete the bootup cycle and you're done.

The same can be done when booting from a regular ISO download made into a fully featured Live USB, but a little more care and understanding is needed when working with changes to the /etc/skel dir. You can still add and remove content as you wish, then remaster it, but

Thanks @m_pav

I've never did a snapshot for distribution ISO I suppose your create a snapshot (with which tool ? ) then you mount it and convert it into an iso with probably mkisofs ?

I suppose you do all of that within the live session ? (so before the actual install) ?

out of topic, nice Hayabusa

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Eadwine Rose wrote: Tue Jun 10, 2025 11:49 am Please change the unreadable color to something easier to read like a dark blue. Thank you.

Sorry I've the forum in dark color, and I choose already a not to bright green, but apparently not enough, it's corrected :)

This is how it shows on my computer... I did a full refresh

I've never did a snapshot for distribution ISO I suppose your create a snapshot (with which tool ? ) then you mount it and convert it into an iso with probably mkisofs ?

The tool is called mx-snapshot, it creates an ISO, you don't mount it, you run and install it like a regular MX release.