Today, Canonical announced the release of Ubuntu 24.10, codenamed “Oracular Oriole,” which delivers important updates, new features, and improved performance.
In addition, this release is a bit more special than the other short-term ones for one simple reasonโit marks Ubuntu’s 20th anniversary, celebrating two decades of innovation that changed the Linux desktop ecosystem forever. So, here’s what’s new.
Ubuntu 24.10 Highlights
New Features
As the first release under Canonical’s new policy of using the latest Linux kernels in Ubuntu, Oracular Oriole comes with kernel version 6.11, bringing modern hardware support and performance upgrades.
OpenSSL has also been upgraded to version 3.3, bringing better scalability, and systemd has jumped to version v256.5, deprecating support for older cgroup v1 and System V service scriptsโmarking a move toward modernization.
In terms of networking, Netplan has been updated to version 1.1, adding custom wait-online logic and improvements to SR-IOV devices.
Developers also have plenty to look forward to, with the toolchain receiving major updates:
- GCC is now at version 14.2.
- Python has been updated to 3.12.7.
- Rust has moved up to version 1.80.
Meanwhile, OpenJDK 23 and even an early preview of OpenJDK 24 are now available for those looking to push the limits of Java.
Enhanced Desktop Experience
Of course, the Ubuntu 24.10 desktop has also received various usability improvements. The installer now supports local file paths for auto-installation, and the Power Profiles Manager has been upgraded to enhance battery-aware optimizationsโparticularly beneficial for AMD users. Fingerprint support is also extended with updates to fprintd and libfprint.
GNOME fans will appreciate the update to GNOME 47, along with stability and performance enhancements unique to Ubuntu. The iconic Dock has also been upgraded to visualize snap refreshes and improve handling for Progressive Web Apps installed via Chromium.
The App Center has received new features, such as improved messaging for running snaps, direct uninstallation options, and third-party .deb installation support, further simplifying software management.
Celebrating 20 Years of Ubuntu
In a nod to its heritage, Ubuntu 24.10 celebrates the 20th anniversary of the first Ubuntu release, 4.10 “Warty Warthog.” With this update, users will notice several throwbacks, including the return of the original startup sound and a “Warty” brown accent colorโavailable as a style setting.
Thereโs also a special anniversary logo to honor the community that has supported Ubuntu over the years.
Security and Performance Enhancements
Ubuntu 24.10 debuts a new Security Center, giving users easy control over experimental permissions prompting. Performance improvements have also been made, including introducing Sysprof 6 as a default system utility to help identify app performance issues.
Additionally, the Oracular Oriole release makes Wayland the default display server for systems using NVIDIA graphics, though users can opt for Xorg during login if needed.
Upgraded Applications
The core applications like Firefox, LibreOffice, and Thunderbird have all been updated, offering new features and enhancements. The audio and networking subsystems have also seen updates, with PipeWire 1.2.4, NetworkManager 1.48, and BlueZ 5.77 all getting the (almost) latest versions for a better multimedia and connectivity experience.
Download Ubuntu 24.10
If you are eager to try out all the Oracular Oriole’s new features, the installation ISO image is available for download here. Additionally, the release notes provide a detailed overview of all updates in the new release.
Ubuntu 24.10 will be supported for nine months, until July 2025, providing users with a short-term yet solid update path. Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS remains the better choice for those needing long-term support, with support extended until at least 2029.
