At the end of December 2022, a new version of Linux Mint 21.1 "Vera" was released.
I decided to migrate from the previous version 20.3 "Una".

Transition plan:

1) Partition the second (backup) hard drive for TimeShift
2) Using TimeShift, take a snapshot of the working operating system onto the backup hard drive.
3) Updating the Linux Mint operating system using the standard function in the Update Manager application.

1. Partitioning second hard drive into the EXT4 file system for TimeShift

Previously, the partition was planned to be used for copying files (Backup disk), so the file system format was not EXT4, but different. I had to format the partition on the backup disk in EXT4.

1) Launch GParted

Entering root password:

GParted main window

2) Unmounted the disk that I used with the mount point //mnt/backup.
(For other users, the second disk may not be mounted - then we skip the step).

3) In the next steps I deleted the ExFAT partition and created Ext4.

4) Agreed to change the file system and waited for the execution to complete.

5) All changes are applied to the second hard drive. I close the window.

2. Using TimeShift to take a snapshot of the operating system

To be able to return the PC to its original state, I used the TimeShift utility.

"Start - System - TimeShift"

Snapshots can be created either on the working partition or on another disk with the EXT2, EXT3, or EXT4 file system (Linux).

I enter the root password

Taking an OS Snapshot in TimeShift

1. TimeShift main window:
   

2. In TimeShift, in the "Settings" menu, I selected the storage location - the second hard drive
   

3. Now everything is ready to create the image. I'm launching!
   
   I press the button "Create"
   

4. Wait for execution to complete
   
   Start:
   
   Continued:
   

Finishing work. A system snapshot has been created in TimeShift.

3. Updating Linux Mint to the next version

1. Preparation.

It is advisable to disable PPA repositories, because an error may appear during the update.

"Start" - "Settings" - "Update Manager"

Here it is advisable to disable the Telegram PPA repository

A third party PPA is also used to source the Apache web server application.

Otherwise, there will be a warning during the version update process, similar to the following (see step 16).

2. Update

step1. Before switching to a version, be sure to install all package updates in "Start - Settings - Update Manager"

step2. Take a snapshot of the current system in TimeShift

Step 3.

Step 4.

step5. The photo has been created. (Size - 24 GB)

step6. Launch the update manager in "Start - Settings - Update Manager"

step7. Selecting the menu item "Edit" - "Update to " linux Mint 21.1 Vera ""

step8. Start of the update process. Greetings

step9. Start of the update process. Greetings

step10. In the next window you can read the release notes.

step11. Reading the release note (opens in browser)

step12. I continue reading “What’s New” and close the browser.

step13. Start the update process: check the box "I accept the risk. I want to upgrade to..."

step14. For administrative actions related to the update, you must enter the root superuser password

step15. The update process is in progress

step16. A warning may be displayed if PPA repositories are not disabled

This error is of type "W - warning", so the update process will continue.
step17. The update process begins with downloading packages

step18. Progress of the operating system update process

step19. Progress of the operating system update process

step20. Progress of the operating system update process

step21. Progress of the operating system update process

step22.Finishing the Linux Mint operating system update

step23. Reboot the OS

After the update I decided to run usrmerge- a program that separates the /bin and /usr/bin directories
Step 24

sudo apt install usrmerge

Preparing for unpacking.../usrmerge_25ubuntu2_all.deb...
Usrmerge (25ubuntu2) is unpacked...
The package usrmerge (25ubuntu2) is being configured...
Smartmatch is experimental at /usr/lib/usrmerge/convert-usrmerge line 172.
The system has been successfully converted.

step25. Creating a system image in TimeShift

step26. TimeShift - 1

step27. TimeShift - 2

step28. TimeShift - creating an OS snapshot after the update is completed

All that remains is to switch to a faster local mirror in the program
"Start - Settings - Update Manager"
Step 29

After switching to the new version, there were no problems with the OS or programs, everything works as before.

A complete list of changes in the new version of Linux Mint 21.1 "Vera" is contained in the PDF file:
New_Features_in_Linux_Mint_21.1_Vera.pdf
Main differences:

• Linux kernel 5.15, Ubuntu 22.04 package base, XFCE 4.16 shell.
• full integration into the Flatpak package management system distribution
• driver manager allows you to add a "dummy" package during testing
• changed the mouse pointer to the Bibata triangle (but you can leave the usual arrow)
• new desktop customization - color change in the XFCE shell
• Mint-Y-Legacy icon theme - the classic Mint-Y theme is preserved
• Computer, Recycle Bin and Network Neighborhood icons have been removed for a cleaner and more modern look of the Desktop. They can be called through the File Manager.

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