Linux Lite 7.4 Released with Kernel 6.8 and GUI Tweaks

Ubuntu-based Linux Lite 7.4 launches with kernel 6.8, new app versions, and enhanced stability.

Five months after its previous 7.2 version, Linux Lite, a user-friendly operating system known for its lightweight architecture and simplicity, has just released v7.4, based on Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS.

Just to add, even though the distro is based on Ubuntu, it doesn’t include Snap support out of the box—it’s been removed from the default installation. Another interesting choice is that Chrome comes preinstalled as the default browser.

Moreover, the new release ships equipped with the Materia window theme, Papirus icons, and the Roboto Regular font. Under the hood, the Linux Lite 7.4 kernel now runs on 6.8, with custom kernels spanning versions 3.13 to 6.14 also readily available through the Linux Lite repository.

Regarding the desktop environment, the distro sticks to its long-time tradition of keeping things lightweight. Once again, you’ll find the familiar Xfce desktop—now in its latest 4.18 release.

Linux Lite 7.4

The list of preinstalled software remains true to the distro’s principle of delivering essential apps right from the get-go. Chrome 134, Thunderbird 128.8.1, LibreOffice 25.2, VLC 3.0.20, and GIMP 2.10.36 are all included.

For those looking to upgrade an existing Linux Lite installation, the procedure is fairly straightforward. First, head to the Updates section to ensure all packages are up to date, and remember to reboot if prompted.

Next, set a Restore Point via Timeshift just in case you need to roll back later. Finally, open the Lite Upgrade tool in your system Settings, let the process run, and reboot when finished.

However, if you encounter any issues, you can verify you have the latest version of Lite Upgrade by running the command show below, as a result version number of “7.0-0030-linuxlite” or above should appear.

apt policy lite-upgrade-series7Code language: Bash (bash)

Refer to the announcement for detailed information about all changes. The Linux Lite 7.4 installation ISO image (3.1 GB) is now available for download from SourceForge’s mirrors.

Bobby Borisov

Bobby Borisov

Bobby, an editor-in-chief at Linuxiac, is a Linux professional with over 20 years of experience. With a strong focus on Linux and open-source software, he has worked as a Senior Linux System Administrator, Software Developer, and DevOps Engineer for small and large multinational companies.