Canonical has made available to all users the Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Resolute Raccoon betaThis is the final major step before the release of the stable version, scheduled for April 23. This long-term support edition is destined to become the foundation for millions of computers in Europe and the rest of the world for years to come.
Far from being a simple minor revision, this installment introduces a good number of background and desktop changesWith particular attention to stability, security, and performance on current hardware. As always with beta versions, we encourage you to test it carefully, but preferably on virtual machines or test systems, not on production computers.
Key dates and scope of the LTS version
Ubuntu 26.04, codenamed Resolute RaccoonIt is an edition of Extended Support (LTS)This means it will receive standard security and maintenance updates until April 2031, extendable to 2036 via Ubuntu Pro at no additional cost for many uses. This long lifecycle makes it the preferred choice for businesses, European public administrations, and users who prioritize stability.
The development roadmap has followed Canonical's usual timeline, with milestones such as the Feature Freeze In February, the interface and kernel were frozen; in March, the Beta release on March 26 and the Release Candidate phase in April. Barring any last-minute unforeseen circumstances, the final date marked on the calendar is April 23th 2026.
This beta version is offered in multiple variants: Ubuntu Desktop, Server, WSL and CloudIn addition to official flavors like Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu Cinnamon, Ubuntu Studio, Edubuntu, Ubuntu Kylin, and the editions designed for Raspberry Pi and ARM, not all flavors will be released as LTS versions.
On this occasion, Ubuntu MATE and Ubuntu Unity They have decided not to participate as LTS flavors due to a lack of personnel in their respective development teams. They will continue to exist and receive updates, but without the extended support period that characterizes a long-life edition.
Linux Kernel 7.0 and hardware improvements
One of the most striking elements of this beta is the inclusion of the Linux kernel 7.0It's still in the Release Candidate phase while Linus Torvalds finalizes the details. Canonical is betting that the final kernel version will be ready in time for integration into the stable edition of Ubuntu 26.04 LTS.
Adopting this kernel implies a improved compatibility with recent hardwareNew security features and, overall, a significant leap forward compared to previous kernels used in earlier LTS releases. For those working with modern systems, latest-generation laptops, or new servers in Europe, this represents a notable improvement in device support.
Under the hood, there has also been a profound reorganization. firmware managementInstead of a monolithic package, updates are now distributed in several manufacturer-specific packages, reducing unnecessary downloads and allowing Remove unused hardware driversfreeing up disk space and optimizing updates.
In the graphic section, the distribution is complete. Table 26.0 with support for OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.4as well as the new NVIDIA 590 drivers and improvements for Intel and AMD GPUs. This is especially relevant for those using Ubuntu on workstations, moderate gaming rigs, or multimedia content creation environments, and now even more so with the arrival of the GeForce Now native application for Linux.
GNOME 50 and the final transition to Wayland
Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Beta arrives with GNOME 50 as the default desktop environment, a version that marks a turning point by abandoning direct support for X11 sessions. From now on, the standard session in Ubuntu becomes Wayland only, following in the footsteps of GNOME and leaving behind the classic graphical server.
For applications that still depend on X11, the system resorts to XWayland as a compatibility layerTherefore, most programs will function without any visible changes for the user. However, those who absolutely need a full desktop environment on Xorg will have to resort to other flavors that maintain this option, such as some lightweight variants designed for older computers.
GNOME 50 also incorporates visible improvements for everyday use: variable refresh rate (VRR) and the fractional scaling They are no longer considered experimental and are now considered stable features. This benefits those who use high refresh rate monitors or high-resolution displays, which are becoming increasingly common in European offices and homes.
The desktop introduces adjustments to the power mode indicator, screen time controls, and accessibility improvements (for example, a Orca refurbished with global configuration) and minor fixes to folder and window behavior that reduce annoyances that many users carried over from previous versions.
Visual changes and a new Yaru theme
In terms of aesthetics, Canonical has taken advantage of this version to update the yaru theme and refresh different interface elements. The first thing that stands out are the new folder icons, more compact and rounded, with a soft relief and better integration of the accent color chosen by the user.
Instead of a simple hue, the accent color is now applied to the entire folderThis makes desktop customization even more apparent. Application icons, such as those for the calculator and the office suite, have also been updated to better match Ubuntu's overall visual style.
El Ubuntu Dock becomes completely opaqueLeaving transparency behind for a more solid and uniform look. A new default wallpaper and a revamped startup animationwhich, although it is seen fleetingly in powerful teams, is part of that global facelift.
The Nautilus file manager has received performance tweaks—such as faster thumbnail loading—and improvements to path writing, including autocomplete without distinguishing between uppercase and lowercase lettersThis is useful when working with large directory trees.
New default applications: Resources and Showtime
One of the most talked-about changes among veteran users is the replacement of the classic GNOME system monitorIn Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Beta, the default tool for viewing processes and resource consumption becomes... Resources, an application written in GTK4 and Rust, included within the GNOME Circle ecosystem.
Resources offers a more modern and consistent interface with the rest of the desktop, and has been chosen, among other things, for its improved integration with accessibility policiesIt allows you to monitor CPU, memory, network and other resources clearly, without sacrificing the features that users expect from this type of tool.
The multimedia section comes into play showtimeShowtime, a video player that follows libadwaita's design principles and features a minimalist interface. In a basic Ubuntu installation, the focus is on the essentials, but Showtime can be included in the... extended installer selection or be installed later from App Center or via apt, effectively replacing the veteran Totem.
Furthermore, the App Center app store It improves the management of traditional DEB packages alongside Snap packages. It's now easier to distinguish between the two formats thanks to specific filters in the management section, which is useful for administrators and those who prefer to control which types of packages they install.
Security, encryption, and changes in GRUB
Safety is reinforced on several fronts. On the one hand, the installer incorporates the hardware-backend encryption using TPM (Trusted Platform Module), allowing easy activation of full disk encryption supported by the device's security chip. This option is gaining importance in corporate and administrative environments, where European regulations often require additional data protection measures.
The new Security Center It centralizes options such as Ubuntu Pro settings, telemetry controls, and some TPM-related settings, including the ability to manage the PIN or recovery in case of firmware changes.
In terms of startup, Canonical is working on simplifying the GRUB manager signed to better meet secure boot requirements. Although the bulk of the most drastic changes are associated with later versions, a trend is already anticipated towards limit support for some file systems and complex configurations (Btrfs, ZFS, advanced XFS, LVM, certain RAID or LUKS-encrypted disks) within signed builds.
The practical consequence is that the use of a /boot partition in unencrypted EXT4 In most installations, support for these file systems is maintained within Linux itself, but the attack surface in the boot loader is reduced. For those requiring more advanced configurations, there is always the option of using unsigned GRUB, at the cost of sacrificing secure booting.
Terminal, sudo, and system utilities
Users who live in the terminal will also notice changes. Ubuntu introduces a sudo rewritten in Rust, with internal improvements in security and maintenance, and adds something as simple as it is practical: visual feedback when typing the passwordFrom now on, when entering the key, asterisks will be displayed instead of an empty space, so that it is always known that the entry is being recorded.
The apt package manager incorporates additional features, such as commands why y why-not to explain dependencies, as well as a best autocomplete in bashThis makes it easier to understand why a particular package is installed or blocked, which is very useful for system administrators.
The time server to Chrony 4.8, improving the accuracy and stability of time synchronization, a key aspect in servers, cloud services and environments where the correct time is essential for audits or authentications.
Among other features, the default installation of sysprofThis tool helps detect bottlenecks and performance problems at the application and system level, which can make all the difference when optimizing equipment that needs to be pushed to its limits.
Software management and absence of "Programs and updates"
One of the most controversial moves in this beta is the Removal of the "Programs and Updates" graphical tool from the default installation. This application, used for years to manage repositories, PPAs, and update settings, no longer appears in a clean installation of Ubuntu 26.04.
Canonical argues that some of its functions are too delicate for the average userAccidentally disabling the main repository or enabling test repositories can leave the system unstable or without access to critical updates. Instead, the use of command-line tools is encouraged, and several options are moved to the Security Center in Ubuntu Pro.
Even so, the application doesn't disappear completely: the package is still in the repositories and It can be installed manually by someone who knows what they're doing. Console utilities, such as add-apt-repositoryThey continue to function as always thanks to the software-properties-common package.
This change aligns with the distribution's overall intention to reduce potential misconfigurations by less experienced users, at the cost of requiring a bit more technical knowledge from those who want to customize their system in detail.
Installation of external units and cleaning of legacy technologies
Another practical innovation affects the removable mediaStarting with this version, devices such as USB drives and external hard drives are mounted in /run/media instead of in /media, with the idea of Improve support for read-only file systems and to better organize how and where these temporary volumes are managed.
The distribution company is also taking the opportunity to continue divesting itself of technologies considered obsolete or legacy, such as cgroup v1 and certain legacy hardware components. The impact for most desktop users will be minimal, but it helps to lighten the system and focus maintenance efforts on existing stacks.
In the area of ​​containers, this includes Docker Engine 29, which adopts Containerd as the default image store for new installations and introduces experimental support for nftables as a firewall backend, aligning with modern network security trends.
All these changes result in a somewhat cleaner layout, focused on a more predictable performance on recent machines with less historical baggage, something that many advanced users have been demanding for a long time.
amd64v3 packages and enhanced GPU and computing support
Looking to the future of hardware, Ubuntu 26.04 LTS prepares the ground with the availability of variantes amd64v3/x86-64-v3 These variants are designed for modern 64-bit CPUs that support more advanced instruction sets and will not be the default option, but users with recent processors can enable them for a performance boost.
The idea is that users with newer equipment can take advantage of these additional instructions, while older systems will continue to use the standard packages unchanged. It's a way of Optimize for current hardware without leaving behind older machines, still very present in many European homes and small businesses.
In parallel, Canonical is working directly with AMD to offer native ROCm packages From the official repositories, facilitating access to the high-performance computing platform and artificial intelligence workloads on AMD GPUs. Installing these tools requires only a simple command. sudo apt install rocm, with updates distributed through the usual package system.
Packages and utilities are also included in the repositories for ROCm and NVIDIA CUDA, geared towards AI, data science, and compute-intensive workloads. This reinforces Ubuntu's position as a reference system in many research projects and cloud deployments both within and outside of Europe.
Flavors, Wayland and recommended use of the beta
Although the main Ubuntu edition adopts Wayland exclusively in GNOME, some Official flavors maintain other approachesLubuntu, for example, continues to support LXQt with ongoing support for X11, which may be of interest to those who still rely on that graphics server for specific compatibility reasons.
The Ubuntu 26.04 beta is also available for Kubuntu with KDE Plasma 6.6Xubuntu with Xfce 4.20.1 and other flavors focused on different desktop environments. They all benefit from the distribution's common base (kernel, graphics stack, system tools), but the final experience varies depending on the chosen desktop.
In any case, Canonical insists that it is a trial versionAlthough the system is already quite polished, errors, spontaneous crashes or small visual bugs may still appear, such as strange spacing in application folders or unexpected closures in certain utilities.
The general recommendation is clear: use this beta in virtual machines or secondary machines to stay informed about new features and, at the same time, help by reporting bugs. For work environments, classrooms, offices, or production servers, it's best to wait for the release of the stable version and the first batches of updates.
How to download and try Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Beta
For those who want to take a look right away, the installation image can be obtained from the Ubuntu release serversThere are ISOs available for 64-bit Intel/AMD PCs, generic images for ARM (with the caveat that not all devices are guaranteed) and versions prepared for Raspberry Pi, which according to initial tests offer better performance than previous editions.
The process is simple: download the corresponding ISO, mount it on a virtual machine Alternatively, you can copy it to a bootable USB drive, and from there you can install it or simply run the trial mode. If you choose to install it, you'll just need to apply the updates as they become available so that, by April 23rd, the system will be aligned with the stable version without needing to reinstall.
Canonical also releases monthly development images for those who want to closely follow the evolution of Ubuntu 26.04 before its final release. However, the earlier the image, the more likely it is to contain bugs, so these builds are primarily intended for testers and developers.
In the end, this beta paints a picture of Ubuntu that reinforces its role as stable and modern platform For the coming years: it's making a strong commitment to Wayland, adopting a next-generation kernel, polishing its visual appearance, reorganizing key components such as firmware, and offering new tools for administration, computing, and security, without losing sight of users who simply want a system that works well for a long time.