Nobara Linux 42 Released: New App Store, Improved Driver Management for Gamers

May 15 — Nobara Linux, the gaming-focused Linux distribution, has released version 42, delivering several significant upgrades aimed at enhancing the user experience. Highlights of this release include a brand-new Flatpak-based app store, a new default browser, and major improvements to software and driver management.

Developed under the direction of GloriousEggroll—the creator of the Proton-GE compatibility layer—Nobara Linux is based on Fedora and optimized specifically for gaming. The latest major release, version 42 (launched on May 13), brings a series of key changes, especially in default configurations and driver handling.

Nobara Linux 42 Released: New App Store, Improved Driver Management for Gamers

Key Updates in Nobara 42:

Default Browser Switched to Brave
Firefox has been replaced with Brave as the default browser, primarily due to video playback issues affecting Firefox and its derivatives. To align with open-source community values, the Nobara team has disabled several controversial Brave features, including Brave Rewards, Brave Wallet, Brave VPN, and AI Chat. Tor support is also disabled by default, and DNS over HTTPS is set to auto mode. Users can re-enable these features by modifying policy files.
New Built-in App Store: Flatpost
A new app store named Flatpost has been introduced, offering support for Flatpak applications, repository management, and permission controls—all within a unified interface. Previously, users had to rely on third-party tools like Flatseal or Warehouse for these functions. While Flatpak remains the recommended method for installing software, users are still free to use AppImage or other package formats.
Enhanced Driver Manager
The updated driver management tool allows users to easily switch between open-source and proprietary NVIDIA drivers, as well as between stable and beta releases.
Rolling Release Model
Starting with version 41, Nobara adopted a rolling release model, ensuring users have access to the latest features and updates without waiting for major new versions.
Version Options and System Components
Nobara 42 is available with KDE 6.3.4 or GNOME 48 desktop environments, and includes versions preloaded with NVIDIA drivers. There’s also an HTPC variant featuring a SteamOS-like interface tailored for home theater setups. Core component versions include:
- NVIDIA Driver: 570.144
- Mesa: 25.1.0
- Linux Kernel: 6.14.6

Nobara continues to focus on delivering a ready-to-play gaming experience out of the box. With the new app store and refined driver tools, version 42 reinforces that mission. The HTPC variant, with its Steam Deck mode, also positions Nobara as a viable alternative OS for handheld gaming PCs traditionally running Windows.