Ubuntu 26.04 LTS: changelog highlights
The 2026 LTS brings a newer kernel, a refreshed installer, and the usual five years of support.
The 2026 long-term support release of Ubuntu is here, and as usual with LTS releases, the theme is polish over spectacle.
Highlights
- Kernel — a newer kernel line with better scheduler behavior on hybrid laptops
- Installer — the subiquity installer gets a cleaner flow for disk encryption setup
- Support — five years of standard updates, extendable to ten with Ubuntu Pro
Should you upgrade now?
Fresh installs: go ahead. Existing 24.04 deployments: the usual advice applies — wait for the first point release (26.04.1) unless you need something specific. When you’re ready:
sudo do-release-upgradeRead the release notes for third-party module compatibility before upgrading production machines.