Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Resolute Raccoon Available for Download

Ubuntu 26.04 ships with GNOME 50, Linux Kernel 7.0, stronger security, better Wayland support, new desktop apps, and a smoother overall experience.

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, also called Resolute Raccoon, is officially here. It is the latest long-term support release for desktop PCs and laptops, and Canonical says it comes with five years of free security and maintenance updates, with support extended up to 15 years through Ubuntu Pro.

This release matters because LTS versions are the ones most people install for daily work, business use, and long-term projects.

If you are coming from Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, you also get the improvements that arrived in the interim releases between 24.04 and 26.04.

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS is not a full redesign, but it does make the system feel newer, smoother, and more useful. The biggest changes include GNOME 50, Linux Kernel 7.0, better Wayland support, stronger security, new default apps, and easier hardware support.

What’s new in Ubuntu 26.04 LTS

One of the biggest changes is GNOME 50. Ubuntu’s release notes say this update brings better performance and reliability in the Files app, smoother desktop behavior with NVIDIA drivers, improved remote desktop performance, better accessibility tools, a new Reduced Motion option, and improved HDR, VRR, and fractional scaling support.

Ubuntu 26.04 also now uses several newer default apps on the desktop. The PDF viewer is now Papers, the image viewer is Loupe, the terminal is Ptyxis, the system monitor is Resources, and the default video player is Showtime.

Another big improvement is Wayland. Ubuntu Desktop now runs only on Wayland for the default session, while X11 apps can still run through XWayland, and machines with NVIDIA graphics now fully support Wayland as well.

Ubuntu 26.04 supports TPM-backed full-disk encryption, includes newer AppArmor sandboxing profiles, and adds support for post-quantum cryptography features in OpenSSL.

Fractional scaling is enabled by default, global search can now find snap apps and start web searches, update notifications are less annoying, and the installer includes better accessibility fixes.

Canonical lists Linux Kernel 7.0 as part of the release, and the desktop download page highlights support for the latest hardware.

Best features:

• GNOME 50 for a smoother and more polished desktop experience.
• Linux Kernel 7.0 for newer hardware support.
• Better Wayland and NVIDIA support for a smoother desktop.
• TPM-backed full-disk encryption for stronger desktop security.
• New default apps like Papers, Loupe, Ptyxis, Resources, and Showtime.
• Better display support with HDR, VRR, and improved fractional scaling.
• Accessibility improvements across the desktop and installer.

How to download Ubuntu 26.04 LTS

The easiest way to download Ubuntu 26.04 LTS is from Canonical’s official Ubuntu Desktop download page. The site offers the desktop ISO for Intel or AMD 64-bit systems at 5.9 GB and an ARM 64-bit version at 3.9 GB.

To get started, follow these steps:

1. Go to the official **Ubuntu Desktop download** page and download the Ubuntu 26.04 LTS ISO image.
2. Create a bootable USB flash drive with an image writer tool.
3. Boot your laptop or PC from the USB drive.
4. Choose whether you want to try Ubuntu first or install it directly.

If you want to test it before installing, Ubuntu lets you run the live desktop from a USB drive. Canonical also provides guidance for running Ubuntu Desktop in VirtualBox if you want to test it in a virtual machine first.

Download requirements for Ubuntu 26.04

Canonical lists these basic desktop requirements for Ubuntu 26.04 LTS:

• 2 GHz dual-core processor or better.
• 6 GB of system memory.
• 25 GB of free storage space.
• A USB port or DVD drive for the installer media.
• Internet access is helpful during setup.

Conclusion

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Resolute Raccoon is an important Ubuntu release because it gives users a stable base with modern improvements. It brings GNOME 50, Linux Kernel 7.0, stronger security, better Wayland support, new desktop apps, and a smoother overall experience.

For most users, this looks like a solid upgrade from Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, especially if you want newer hardware support and a cleaner desktop without giving up long-term stability.