Ubuntu 25.10 Beta Released with Linux 6.17 Kernel-GNOME 49 and Wayland-Only Desktop Sessions

Ubuntu 25.10 Beta Released with Linux 6.17 Kernel-GNOME 49 and Wayland-Only Desktop Sessions

September 19, 2024 – Canonical has officially released the beta version of Ubuntu 25.10, codenamed “Questing Quokka,” with the stable release scheduled for October 9th.

This latest iteration introduces significant improvements across kernel architecture, desktop environment, security features, and enterprise support, delivering an enhanced experience for both desktop users and developers.

Ubuntu 25.10 Beta Released with Linux 6.17 Kernel-GNOME 49 and Wayland-Only Desktop Sessions

Major System Updates

Linux 6.17 Kernel Integration

The beta release ships with the upcoming Linux 6.17 kernel, bringing substantial hardware compatibility improvements for Intel, AMD, ARM, and RISC-V architectures. The new kernel version also enhances file system support with optimizations for Btrfs, F2FS, and EXT4, resulting in improved storage performance and system stability.

GNOME 49 Desktop Environment

Ubuntu 25.10 features the latest GNOME 49 desktop environment, introducing several user-focused enhancements including lockscreen media controls, independent monitor brightness adjustment in quick settings, and improved multi-application workflow capabilities.

Default Application Changes

The release brings notable changes to default applications. Loupe replaces Eye of GNOME as the standard image viewer, while Ptyxis takes over from GNOME Terminal as the default terminal emulator, offering users a more modern and feature-rich experience.

Wayland Becomes the Sole Desktop Session

In a significant architectural shift, Wayland has become the exclusive desktop session option in Ubuntu 25.10. The distribution has completely removed Xorg support from the installation options. However, legacy X11 applications remain functional through XWayland compatibility layer, ensuring backward compatibility for existing software.

Enhanced Security Features

The installer now incorporates advanced TPM-based full disk encryption with several security improvements:

Enhanced password entropy prompts
PIN support integration
Improved recovery key management
Firmware update notifications with key backup reminders

These security enhancements provide users with more robust data protection while maintaining usability.

Enterprise and Large-Scale Deployment Support

Ubuntu 25.10 strengthens its enterprise credentials with deeper Microsoft Entra ID integration and automated installation workflow support through Landscape integration directly within the installer. These features streamline deployment processes for organizations managing large-scale Ubuntu installations.

RISC-V Architecture Progress

Canonical continues advancing RISC-V desktop viability, with Firefox and Thunderbird now fully operational on the RISC-V architecture, marking a significant milestone for alternative processor architectures in desktop computing.

Developer Tool Updates

The release includes comprehensive updates to development tools and libraries:

GCC 15.2 – Latest compiler with improved optimization
glibc 2.42 – Updated C library with enhanced performance
Python 3.13.7 – Latest Python interpreter with new features
Rust 1.85 – Updated systems programming language
OpenJDK 25 – Latest Java development kit
systemd 257.9 – Enhanced system and service manager

Additionally, Dracut replaces initramfs-tools as the default initramfs generator, providing improved boot-time performance and reliability.

Availability and Next Steps

The Ubuntu 25.10 beta is now available for download and testing. Users interested in exploring the new features can access the beta images through Canonical’s official channels. The stable release is expected to arrive on October 9th, following the completion of final testing and bug fixes based on beta user feedback.

This release represents Ubuntu’s continued evolution toward modern desktop technologies while maintaining its commitment to stability and enterprise readiness.