https://os.watch OS.watch is exploring the world of Operating Systems http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification python-feedgen https://os.watch/static/images/favicon.png https://os.watch 48 48 en Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:29:35 +0000 https://os.watch/releases.rss We are now making use of systemd preset files to manage which services are enabled by default. We used to link services to a respective target.wants directory to make a service start automatically, bu We are now making use of systemd preset files to manage which services are enabled by default. We used to link services to a respective target.wants directory to make a service start automatically, but this has two issues: it causes systemd to not correctly show their status, and is slightly harder for us to manage. Preset files eliminate both of these problems. For this release, we've changed the default privileged group from sudo to wheel. Most software assumes that the wheel group is the default sudo group, and we have to patch several packages to change it to use sudo. Switching to the usual wheel group means that maintaining these packages is easier for us, because we no longer have to worry about rebasing patches when software updates. Solus now ships with GRUB 2.14 on legacy non-EFI systems. https://os.watch/solus/4.9 Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://os.watch/releases.rss We are excited to announce the release of GhostBSD 26.1-R15.0p2. This release marks a major milestone as GhostBSD moves to FreeBSD 15.0-RELEASE, bringing the latest upstream improvements, including en We are excited to announce the release of GhostBSD 26.1-R15.0p2. This release marks a major milestone as GhostBSD moves to FreeBSD 15.0-RELEASE, bringing the latest upstream improvements, including enhanced hardware support, security updates, and kernel advancements. Key highlights: the default shell has been switched to zsh; XLibre is now the default display server; enterprise WPA (802.1X/EAP) and WireGuard support added to NetworkMGR; Update Station now supports boot environment based major version upgrades; Software Station benefits from a faster bisect-based package search; refreshed visual identity with a new wallpaper, updated icon themes, and new theme variants. Please note that upgrading does not change your current display server. If you are on X.Org, it will remain on X.Org after upgrading. This release addresses numerous reported issues, including UEFI boot problems affecting some users, the desktop not starting in R15 MATE, the missing installer in XFCE, live ISO image not starting X server in VirtualBox EFI mode.... https://os.watch/ghostbsd/26.1 Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://os.watch/releases.rss This release presents the new Linux kernel 7.0.0 as well as the new version 147.0.7727.55-1 of the web browser google-chrome-stable. In addition, among other things, Starbuntu has added Java GUI examp This release presents the new Linux kernel 7.0.0 as well as the new version 147.0.7727.55-1 of the web browser google-chrome-stable. In addition, among other things, Starbuntu has added Java GUI examples. Moreover, Starbuntu has further improved its kernel upgrade software by eliminating from now on a severe bug in the pre/post scripts contained in the original kernel debian packages. https://os.watch/starbuntu/24.04.4.8 Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://os.watch/releases.rss Building on the Ubuntu 26.04 LTS base released today by Canonical, Kubuntu 26.04 introduces Plasma 6.6 as the flagship desktop environment, alongside Qt 6.10.2, KDE Frameworks 6.24.0, and the latest K Building on the Ubuntu 26.04 LTS base released today by Canonical, Kubuntu 26.04 introduces Plasma 6.6 as the flagship desktop environment, alongside Qt 6.10.2, KDE Frameworks 6.24.0, and the latest KDE Gear 25.12.3 application suite. We’ve also upgraded to Linux kernel 7.0 for enhanced hardware support and performance. Whether you’re a developer, creator, or everyday user, this release emphasises Wayland maturity, modern security, and seamless integration with the open source world. Kubuntu 26.04 LTS will receive security updates and critical fixes through April 2029, making it an excellent choice for home users, schools, businesses, and anyone who values a dependable, beautiful desktop. https://os.watch/kubuntu/26.04_lts Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://os.watch/releases.rss Fully synced with the Gentoo Linux testing tree as of 2026-04-19. Kernel - Linux kernel 6.19.13 is now the default. For those requiring older versions, 6.18, 6.15, 6.12, 6.6, 6.1 and 5.15 LTS remain a Fully synced with the Gentoo Linux testing tree as of 2026-04-19. Kernel - Linux kernel 6.19.13 is now the default. For those requiring older versions, 6.18, 6.15, 6.12, 6.6, 6.1 and 5.15 LTS remain available in the repositories. Toolchain - updated to glibc 2.42, GCC 15.2.1, Binutils 2.42, Clang/LLVM 21 and Rust 1.93.1. Graphics - features the latest Mesa, X.Org, XWayland and Wayland implementation. Multimedia - FFmpeg 8 is now the default, replacing older versions. Desktop - while Gentoo has removed native Qt5 application integration from KDE Plasma 6, we have implemented a qt5ct-based integration by default to maintain UI consistency. Superpose - streamlines the installation of out-of-tree packages from 3rd party repositories. Warning - please use this feature responsibly. Installing 3rd-party packages can lead to system instability or breakage. https://os.watch/redcore/2601 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://os.watch/releases.rss What's new since 24.04 LTS? LXQt 2.3 is now shipped by default. More information on its release can be found here: 2.3.0. 2048-qt is somewhat broken in Ubuntu 26.04 and therefore was removed from Lubu What's new since 24.04 LTS? LXQt 2.3 is now shipped by default. More information on its release can be found here: 2.3.0. 2048-qt is somewhat broken in Ubuntu 26.04 and therefore was removed from Lubuntu. See the Resolute Beta release notes for details. Many of the GNU coreutils were replaced by Rust equivalents in Ubuntu 25.10. The traditional sudo system was similarly replaced with a Rust rewrite. Ubuntu 26.04 is the first LTS release to ship with Rust-based coreutils and sudo. See the 25.10 release notes for details. Lubuntu 26.04 is the first LTS release of Lubuntu to ship with a primarily Qt 6-based environment. Qt 6 applications should now be themed nicely, instead of looking somewhat drab like they once did. Recent versions of LXQt also come with a much improved application menu, Fancy Menu, which we have switched to. We also use Kvantum as our theming engine instead of Breeze. https://os.watch/lubuntu/26.04 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://os.watch/releases.rss I am proud to announce our latest release: Ubuntu Cinnamon 26.04 Resolute Raccoon! Ubuntu Cinnamon 26.04 comes with Cinnamon 6.4.13 and will be supported until 2029, as it is a LTS (long-term service) I am proud to announce our latest release: Ubuntu Cinnamon 26.04 Resolute Raccoon! Ubuntu Cinnamon 26.04 comes with Cinnamon 6.4.13 and will be supported until 2029, as it is a LTS (long-term service) release. This means it will continue getting updates and bug fixes for longer than a non-LTS release. The previous LTS release, 24.04 Noble Numbat, will be supported for about another year to give time for users to upgrade. Soon, upgrades will be enabled. If you are on the 25.10 release (Questing Quokka), you are encouraged to upgrade, as support will be ending in July. Users of the 24.04 series are also encouraged to upgrade. This release stays on the Cinnamon 6.4x line of releases, but with a few 6.6x components: Cinnamon 6.4.13, Cinnamon Control Center 6.4.2, CJS 128.1, mozjs 128, Cinnamon Menus 6.6.0, Cinnamon Screensaver 6.4.1, Cinnamon Session 6.4.2, Cinnamon Settings Daemon 6.4.3, Muffin 6.4.1, Nemo 6.4.5, XDG Desktop Portal (Xapp) 1.1.3. https://os.watch/ubuntucinnamon/26.04_lts Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://os.watch/releases.rss The Resources app now replaces the System Monitor app and the Power Statistics app in the GNOME environment. Resources enable you to monitor the utilization of your system resources, including the CPU The Resources app now replaces the System Monitor app and the Power Statistics app in the GNOME environment. Resources enable you to monitor the utilization of your system resources, including the CPU, memory, GPU, network and storage and power usage. Compared to System Monitor, it comes with the following enhancements: It groups processes into apps. It tracks GPU usage, including video encoder and decoder usage. It tracks Neural Processing Unit (NPU) usage. It tracks hardware statistics like CPU, GPU and memory clock frequency. It features a modern and accessible interface based on GTK 4 and libadwaita. The app is written in the Rust programming language. Added a GNOME Shell search provider for snap applications: The GNOME Shell global search gained the ability to search for the available snap applications that match the search criteria. This feature can be disabled in the Search panel of the Settings app. https://os.watch/ubuntu/26.04_lts Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://os.watch/releases.rss You can trace a clear through-line across recent LTS cycles: 20.04 LTS was the last Xfce-based LTS and set up the desktop transition, 22.04 LTS stabilized the Plasma era, and 24.04 LTS introduced the You can trace a clear through-line across recent LTS cycles: 20.04 LTS was the last Xfce-based LTS and set up the desktop transition, 22.04 LTS stabilized the Plasma era, and 24.04 LTS introduced the new Subiquity/Flutter installer generation and PipeWire 1.0 maturity. Ubuntu Studio 26.04 LTS builds on that foundation with practical workflow improvements instead of a single marquee feature: three selectable desktop layouts, fully rewritten Installer and Audio Configuration tools (Python with GTK4 and Qt6 frontends), and broader translation coverage. It also brings forward ideas that were future-looking in earlier cycles, especially minimal-install flexibility and easier post-install workflow selection, while adding production-focused updates like FFADO support, easier PipeWire tuning, and new default additions such as Loopino and Plasma PipeWire Settings. As with prior Ubuntu Studio LTS releases, this cycle carries a three-year support window, through April 2029. https://os.watch/ubuntustudio/26.04_lts Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://os.watch/releases.rss Ubuntu Budgie 26.04 LTS (Resolute Raccoon) is a Long Term Support release, supported for three years by the Ubuntu Budgie team. This release ships with Budgie Desktop 10.10.2 and marks a full transiti Ubuntu Budgie 26.04 LTS (Resolute Raccoon) is a Long Term Support release, supported for three years by the Ubuntu Budgie team. This release ships with Budgie Desktop 10.10.2 and marks a full transition to Wayland. Ubuntu Budgie 26.04 is Wayland‑only and uses labwc as the default compositor. No Xorg session is provided. Note - we will be shipping a wayfire supported session through our backports PPA - more info on that in due course. These release notes highlight the key user‑visible changes since Ubuntu Budgie 24.04 LTS, and document important behaviour changes introduced as part of the Wayland transition. What's New in 26.04 Wayland‑Only Desktop: Ubuntu Budgie 26.04 is a Wayland‑only release using Budgie Desktop 10.10.2. What this means for users: Screen sharing, screenshots, and related integration use modern Wayland portals; display configuration follows wlroots tooling; some X11‑era workflows behave differently or are no longer available; for managing displays, wdisplays is the recommended configuration tool. https://os.watch/ubuntubudgie/26.04 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000