The Sparky Linux team has rolled out the latest ISO images of Sparky 2025.09, codenamed “Tiamat”—its second semi-rolling update of the year—for all enthusiasts of this lightweight distro, based on Debian’s upcoming “Forky” testing branch.
The highlight of this release is the move to the Linux kernel 6.16, with additional long-term support kernels 6.12 and 6.6 available in the Sparky repositories. Users will also find the Calamares installer updated to version 3.4, restoring support for installations on encrypted disks.
On the software side, Sparky now ships with GCC 15, dropping GCC 14, and updates Firefox to ESR 128.14. For those who prefer newer versions, Firefox 143 is available in the repos.
Desktop spins see some changes too: in KDE, Akregator replaces Quiterss, while in LXQt, Liferea takes that spot. Additionally, all graphical Sparky components have been refreshed to align with the new testing branch.
There are also some installation notes worth keeping in mind. On UEFI systems, an active internet connection is required, and the Calamares installer is the recommended method. For older 64-bit systems running BIOS, users should stick to the CLI installer via sudo sparky-installer.
For those opting for a fresh install, Sparky 2025.09 semi-rolling is available in various versions, including LXQt, KDE, MATE, Xfce, MinimalGUI (Openbox), and MinimalCLI (text mode), available from the project’s download page.
For new installations, users should note that the live user password remains “live” while the root password is left empty.
Refer to the release announcement for detailed information.
