Chapter 2: What's New in Ubuntu 26.04?
In this chapter, we explore Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Resolute Raccoon, covering its Wayland-only GNOME 50 desktop, stronger security defaults, and Linux 7.0 kernel.
Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, codenamed Resolute Raccoon, was released in April 2026 as the next Long Term Support release after Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat).
If you're coming from 24.04, you're skipping ahead by two years of development, and many of the improvements become apparent almost immediately.
At the heart of the release is the Linux 7.0 kernel, bringing broader hardware compatibility, updated drivers, and numerous performance improvements.
On the desktop, Ubuntu now ships with GNOME 50, representing four GNOME releases of refinement since Ubuntu 24.04.
Security has also taken another step forward.
- New installations now enable TPM-backed full-disk encryption by default on supported hardware, making encrypted systems easier to deploy without additional configuration.
- Ubuntu continues its investment in memory-safe software as well, with more core system utilities being rewritten in Rust to reduce the risk of common memory-related vulnerabilities.
Rather than walking through every item in the official release notes, this chapter concentrates on the changes that have the biggest impact on everyday use.
These are the improvements you'll notice whether you're working at the desktop, administering servers, or developing applications.
By the end of this chapter, you'll understand:
- The transition to GNOME 50 and a Wayland-only desktop session.
- What Linux 7.0 brings for hardware support and overall system performance.
- The new security defaults, including TPM-backed encryption, Rust-based system components, and improved application permission prompts.
- Everyday improvements across Files, Settings, notifications, and accessibility.
- The changes that matter most to developers and system administrators.