{"id":51114,"date":"2026-05-02T13:05:54","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T13:05:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ubuntuhandbook.org\/?p=51114"},"modified":"2026-05-02T13:05:54","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T13:05:54","slug":"linux-lite-8-0-rc1-released-based-on-ubuntu-26-04-lts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ubuntuhandbook.org\/index.php\/2026\/05\/linux-lite-8-0-rc1-released-based-on-ubuntu-26-04-lts\/","title":{"rendered":"Linux Lite 8.0 RC1 Released! Based on Ubuntu 26.04 LTS"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Linux Lite, the lightweight, beginner friendly, and Ubuntu based Linux Distribution, announced the RC1 release for the next 8.0 major version yesterday morning.<\/p>\n

This new release, code-name Hematite, features Linux Kernel 7.0<\/b>, XFCE 4.20<\/b> desktop, and Ubuntu 26.04 package base<\/b>. While, the final release is scheduled to be released on 1st June, 2026.<\/p>\n

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Linux Lite 8.0 Desktop<\/p><\/div>\n

Thanks to the 7.0 Kernel, Linux Lite 8.0 will run properly on most recent processors, GPUs, and other hardware. It features a high performance custom kernel<\/b> built specifically for desktop and gaming use on everyday hardware.<\/p>\n

The default kernel<\/i> is built for smooth and responsive desktop experience for everyday tasks, such as web browsing, office work, and media playback. While, an optional gaming kernel<\/i> can be installed afterward, which targets for users who play games regularly or run audio\/video production software care about timing.<\/p>\n

Both kernels include the full BORE scheduler modification, but with different preemption to allow the scheduler to interrupt running work.<\/p>\n

And, a new Linux Kernel Manager<\/b> utility is available for users to install and switch between the two kernels, manage profiles, and run benchmark!<\/p>\n

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Besides the new kernels, Linux Lite 8.0 switched to Calamares installer<\/b> that’s also default in Debian (live image), KUbuntu etc Linux distributions. As Ubuntu has switched to new Flutter based installer, and slowed down the development of the legacy Ubiquity installer.<\/p>\n

It as well added OEM installer<\/b> for hardware vendors, which will not create end-user account during installation. Instead, when the customer powers the machine for the first time, it pops-up a setup wizard to create a personal account.<\/p>\n

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This version also ported all the core GUI applications to GTK4<\/b> from GTK3\/WebKit2. It as well added back Firefox<\/b> (Deb version) as default web browser, while the previous releases use Google Chrome as default.<\/p>\n

It also introduced new “About” utility that displays hardware details, e.g, CPU, GPU, Memory and storage, new System Monitor app for real-time CPU, memory, storage, and network monitoring.<\/p>\n

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New About Lite, and system monitor apps<\/p><\/div>\n

After installed Linux Lite, user can minimum the system by launching the new Lite Core<\/b> app and remove all the unwanted applications with few clicks. As well, a new Lite Distro Builder<\/b> app is available to easily create your own version of Linux Lite and share it with others.<\/p>\n

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Other changes include new Starship<\/i> command prompt in terminal app for significant start up difference, new boot animation screen (Plymouth theme), and apt sources ported to DEB822 (change from .list<\/code> to .sources<\/code> config file).<\/p>\n

And, it seems that the start menu (Lite Whisker Menu) has been ported to rounder corners, though, not sure if it’s bug or virtual machine issue it has a white and sharp background.<\/p>\n

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rounded start menu, though with a sharp background (not sure bug or VM issue)<\/p><\/div>\n

More in Lite Lite 8.0 include:<\/p>\n