{"id":51041,"date":"2026-04-23T23:34:47","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T23:34:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ubuntuhandbook.org\/?p=51041"},"modified":"2026-04-23T23:37:43","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T23:37:43","slug":"ubuntu-26-04-lts-released-with-kernel-7-0-gnome-50-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ubuntuhandbook.org\/index.php\/2026\/04\/ubuntu-26-04-lts-released-with-kernel-7-0-gnome-50-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Released with Kernel 7.0, GNOME 50 & More"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Ubuntu 26.04, code-name Resolute Raccoon, was released after 6 months of development. Here are the changes since the last Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.<\/p>\n

Ubuntu 26.04 is a new Long Term Support (LTS)<\/strong> release with 5 years of standard support, another 5 years expanded security maintenance, and 5 years more legacy addon for paid users. Meaning a total of 15 years support for paid users.<\/p>\n

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Linux Kernel 7.0<\/h3>\n

Ubuntu 26.04 by default is powered by the latest Linux Kernel 7.0.<\/p>\n

The new kernel features multi-threading boost on newer Intel CPUs, improved EXT4 file-sytem writing performance, better gaming performance on old AMD GPUs, and new hardware support, such as multi-touch for eGalaxTouch EXC3188 and Lenovo Yoga Book 9i, Fn lock and WMI fan control for various ASUS laptops, and more.<\/p>\n

Compare to Kernel 6.17 in Ubuntu 24.04, there are even more hardware support thanks to 6.18 and 6.19 kernels. They include Haptic touchpad, Qualcomm Snapdragon X1 laptops, Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2, Logitech G13 gaming keypad, Legion Go 2 handheld, and many more others. See kernelnewbies.org<\/a> for more kernel changes.<\/p>\n

Ubuntu Desktop (GNOME 50)<\/h3>\n

The default Ubuntu desktop is based on GNOME 50<\/b>. The desktop has completely removed the classic Xorg support<\/b>. If you still required X11\/Xorg session for specific reason, then try the official flavors, e.g., XUbuntu 26.04.<\/p>\n

For parents, the new desktop now supports daily screen time limit and bed-time<\/b> for child accounts, and allows to monitor screen-time usage with the new Wellbeing<\/b> panel in Settings. Though, user need to install malcontent-gui<\/code> package via command below to enable this feature.<\/p>\n

sudo apt update && sudo apt install malcontent-gui<\/pre>\n
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Set daily screen time limit and bedtime<\/p><\/div>\n
The new Ubuntu desktop introduced two new default applications<\/b>. They are Resources system monitor<\/b> that can manage running apps, system processes, and monitor CPU, GPU, Memory etc hardware utilization, and, Showtime video player<\/b> that Gnome introduced since version 49.<\/p>\n
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Compare to Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, it also has new Secure Center<\/b> allowing to manage Ubuntu Pro, disk encryption, and permission control for Snap applications to access user files, and hardware such as camera and microphone.<\/p>\n
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Manage Snap app permission in Security Center<\/p><\/div>\n
There are as well new default Ptyxis terminal emulator<\/b> allowing to quickly access your containers, papers document viewer with basic editing support, new touch friendly Loupe image viewer, and few other new default applications.<\/p>\n
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Besides new apps, Ubuntu 26.04 “removed” the “Software & Updates” (along with Additional Drivers) utility<\/b> to avoid confusing beginners, and hide some less useful options.<\/p>\n
Part of the features have been moved to either Security Center or App Center. And for users who need it, simply install it back from either App Center or by installing software-properties-gtk<\/code> package via apt command.<\/p>\n
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Software & Updates is NOT pre-installed in 26.04<\/p><\/div>\n
Startup Applications<\/b> has also been removed since Ubuntu 25.10, due to favor of the new options in built-in “Apps” settings page. And, I’ve written about how to manually add startup apps<\/a> for custom commands, scripts, or apps with delay.<\/p>\n
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Startup Applications tool no longer available in Ubuntu 26.04<\/p><\/div>\n
Ubuntu 26.04 desktop also updates its default folder icons<\/b>. The folder icons are now full adapt to the accent colors. In my mind, they are however look a bit over bright. And, I wrote a step by step guide about how to restore<\/a> to the previous icon theme.<\/p>\n
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Other changes include:<\/p>\n