Canonical released Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, codenamed Resolute Raccoon, on April 23. The release announcement brings together a new Linux kernel, changes to desktop security and additional GPU software packages in the distribution’s latest long-term-support edition.
For people choosing a workstation or server base, the changes are spread across the system. Some affect everyday app installation and display behavior; others matter when maintaining a fleet of machines or preparing a computing environment for AI development.
Security changes reach basic system tools
Ubuntu 26.04 LTS expands its use of Rust, including memory-safe reimplementations of foundational utilities through sudo-rs and uutils coreutils. Rust can help prevent classes of memory errors, although adopting it does not establish that an entire operating system is free of vulnerabilities.
Canonical also makes TPM-backed full-disk encryption generally available in the installer. This connects disk protection to the machine’s hardware security component. Application permission prompting has a different status: the announcement describes the updated experience as a preview.
The distinction is relevant when deciding which features to standardize across an organization. A generally available encryption option and a preview permissions interface are at different stages of readiness.
Desktop, kernel and GPU support change together
The release uses Linux 7.0 and completes Ubuntu Desktop’s move to Wayland. Canonical highlights per-monitor scaling, touch and gesture handling, and improved support in the App Center for Debian packages.
For developers, NVIDIA CUDA and AMD ROCm are available through Ubuntu’s repositories. These packages support GPU computing workflows without requiring the same separate repository setup described in many older installation guides.
Livepatch support also extends to Arm64 servers, allowing supported kernel fixes to be applied without a reboot. That does not make every operating-system update reboot-free.
Existing scripts and applications remain an important part of any upgrade decision. Changes to command-line utilities, display systems and drivers can affect a working setup even when the new release improves the underlying platform. Our guide to software dependency risk explains why compatibility needs to be checked across the applications that use a system.
