Ubuntu 26.04 LTS: Your Complete Guide to Upgrading from 25.10
If you're running Ubuntu 25.10, now is the perfect time to plan your move. The upgrade path to Ubuntu 26.04 LTS (codenamed Resolute Raccoon) is officially open, and with support for 25.10 ending in July, delaying could leave you without critical security updates. This long‑term support release, which debuted on April 23, brings a wealth of enhancements: the latest GNOME 50 desktop, Linux 7.0 kernel, new default apps, and improved developer tools. Below, we answer the most common questions about the upgrade and what you can expect from this polished LTS.
1. When can I upgrade to Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, and why is it urgent for 25.10 users?
The upgrade from Ubuntu 25.10 to 26.04 LTS is now live. Ubuntu 25.10 reaches end‑of‑life in July, meaning after that date it will no longer receive security patches or software updates. To keep your system safe and stable, moving to the LTS release before the deadline is strongly recommended. Upgrading early also gives you time to adapt to any new workflows and take advantage of the long‑term support window—Ubuntu 26.04 LTS will be maintained for five years (or up to ten with Ubuntu Pro).
2. What major features does Ubuntu 26.04 LTS (Resolute Raccoon) introduce?
This LTS ships with GNOME 50 and the Linux 7.0 kernel, bringing a refined desktop experience and modern hardware support. The GNOME Shell Overview has been enhanced with integrated Snap store search and web searching capabilities—just start typing to find apps and results from the web. A new Security Center lets you enable Ubuntu Pro with a single click, unlocking extended security maintenance and compliance tools. For developers, both NVIDIA CUDA and AMD ROCm are now available directly in the Ubuntu archives, simplifying setup for GPU workloads.
3. What visual and usability changes are included?
The desktop gets a fresh coat of paint with a new set of folder icons that are cleaner and more consistent across apps. A small but practical addition is visual password feedback for sudo commands—instead of a blank prompt, you now see dots as you type, reducing the chance of mistyping your password. These improvements, combined with the performance boosts from GNOME 50 and Linux 7.0, make day‑to‑day interaction smoother and more pleasant.
4. How have default applications changed in this release?
Ubuntu 26.04 LTS comes with a refreshed set of default apps. While the exact list may vary, the headline change is the integration of Snap Store functionality directly into the GNOME Shell application overview. This means you can search for and install Snap applications without opening a separate storefront. Web search integration also brings online results to the overview, making it easier to find information quickly. The older default apps have been updated to align with the GNOME 50 ecosystem, ensuring better performance and consistency.
5. What developer tools and hardware support are new?
Two major additions for developers are NVIDIA CUDA and AMD ROCm, now included in the main Ubuntu repositories. This eliminates the hassle of adding third‑party PPAs or manual driver installs—simply apt install the packages your project needs. The Linux 7.0 kernel provides improved support for the latest hardware, including newer GPUs, Wi‑Fi chips, and storage controllers. Combined with Ubuntu Pro’s extended security patches, developers can rely on a stable, up‑to‑date platform for production workloads.
6. How do I perform the upgrade, and what should I back up?
The simplest method is to use the built‑in upgrade tool. Open Software & Updates, go to the Updates tab, set “Notify me of a new Ubuntu version” to For any new version, and then run sudo do-release-upgrade. Before starting, be sure to back up your personal files and note any custom PPAs or third‑party repositories—they may be temporarily disabled during the upgrade. After the process completes, you can safely remove the Ubuntu 25.10 kernel and packages with sudo apt autoremove. For a full guide, see our feature overview for post‑upgrade tweaks.