Ubuntu 26.04 vs 24.04: should you upgrade yet?

Ubuntu 26.04 vs 24.04 comes down to this: 26.04 LTS brings Linux 7.0, GNOME 50, TPM-backed disk encryption, and Rust versions of core tools, but it drops the X11 desktop session and recommends 6 GB of RAM. Ubuntu 24.04 LTS stays supported until May 2029, so there is no rush. Most people can upgrade calmly any time before then.

This guide compares the two long-term support releases, explains who should upgrade now and who should wait, and walks through the upgrade.

The short answer

Upgrade to Ubuntu 26.04 if you have recent hardware, want the newer kernel and desktop, and do not depend on an X11 session. Stay on Ubuntu 24.04 for now if your PC has 4 GB of RAM, you rely on X11-only tools, or the machine does important work and just needs to keep running. Upgrades from 24.04 to 26.04 opened after Ubuntu 26.04.1 was released in August 2026, as OMG! Ubuntu reported.

Key differences

Release: 24.04 "Noble Numbat" was released on April 25, 2024; 26.04 "Resolute Raccoon" on April 23, 2026.
Standard support: 24.04 until May 31, 2029; 26.04 until May 29, 2031 (see the Ubuntu 26.04 support dates and Ubuntu 24.04 support dates).
Kernel: Linux 6.8 in 24.04; Linux 7.0 in 26.04.
Desktop: GNOME 46 in 24.04; GNOME 50 in 26.04.
Display server: 24.04 still offers an X11 GNOME session; 26.04 is Wayland only (XWayland still runs X11 apps).
Core tools: 26.04 uses sudo-rs and Rust-based coreutils instead of the traditional C versions.
Encryption: 26.04 adds TPM-backed full-disk encryption in the installer.
Recommended RAM: 4 GB for 24.04; 6 GB for 26.04.

What's new in Ubuntu 26.04

A much newer kernel and graphics stack. Linux 7.0 and Mesa 26 support hardware released since 2024, including recent Intel and AMD processors and graphics. If your laptop is new and 24.04 struggles with it, this is the strongest reason to upgrade.

GNOME 50. Two years of GNOME development land at once. Variable refresh rate is on by default on supported displays, and several default apps have changed: Ptyxis replaces GNOME Terminal, Papers replaces the Evince document viewer, Loupe replaces Eye of GNOME, Resources replaces System Monitor, and Showtime replaces the Totem video player.

Rust system tools. sudo is now provided by sudo-rs, and most everyday command-line tools, such as ls, cp, and cat, come from the Rust-based uutils coreutils. Commands work the same way; the goal is fewer memory-safety bugs. Scripts that depend on unusual GNU-specific options are worth testing before you upgrade a server or build machine.

TPM-backed encryption and a new boot setup. The installer can tie full-disk encryption to your PC's TPM chip, and the early boot process now uses Dracut.

Some tools are no longer preinstalled. According to OMG! Ubuntu's comparison, Software & Updates, Startup Applications, and Additional Drivers are no longer installed by default.

Wayland only: the change that matters most

Ubuntu 26.04 no longer lets you log in to GNOME on X11, because GNOME removed that session. Most apps are unaffected: native Wayland apps work, and older X11 apps still run through XWayland. The people who notice are those who use X11-only screen-sharing, remote desktop, automation, or input tools. If you upgrade from 24.04, Xorg itself is not removed, but you can no longer pick a GNOME on Xorg session. Check your essential tools on a 26.04 live USB first.

Hardware requirements

Canonical's release notes list a 2 GHz dual-core processor, 6 GB of RAM, and 25 GB of free storage for Ubuntu Desktop 26.04, up from the 4 GB recommended for 24.04. A 4 GB PC can still boot 26.04, but it will feel slow with a modern browser. For those machines, stay on 24.04 until 2029 or switch to a lighter official flavor such as Lubuntu or Xubuntu (compare them).

Support: how long each release lasts

Both are LTS releases with five years of standard security updates, and up to ten years with an Ubuntu Pro subscription. Standard support for 24.04 runs until May 31, 2029, and for 26.04 until May 29, 2031. Staying on 24.04 is safe for more than two and a half years from the time of writing (September 2026). Track both on the Ubuntu versions page.

Which should you choose?

Choose Ubuntu 26.04 if:

You are installing fresh on hardware from the last few years.
Your new laptop needs a newer kernel for Wi-Fi, graphics, or power management.
You want the longest support window, until 2031.

Stay on Ubuntu 24.04 for now if:

Your PC has 4 GB of RAM or less.
You depend on an X11 session or X11-only tools.
The machine is a server or workstation that must not change until you have tested 26.04.

How to upgrade from Ubuntu 24.04 to 26.04

Step 1: Back up your home folder and anything else you cannot lose.

Step 2: Install all pending updates, either in Software Updater or by running sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade, then restart.

Step 3: Start the upgrade. Open Software Updater and choose the upgrade when it is offered, or run sudo do-release-upgrade in a terminal.

Step 4: Read each prompt. A dialog may list third-party or "foreign" packages; the upgrade usually proceeds safely, but note them so you can reinstall or update them afterwards.

Step 5: Restart, log in, and check your apps, printers, and drivers.

Direct upgrades to 26.04 are supported only from 24.04 LTS or 25.10. On 22.04, upgrade to 24.04 first. If Ubuntu no longer fits your PC, compare it with Linux Mint, which stays on the Ubuntu 24.04 base until its next major version.

Is Ubuntu 26.04 stable enough to upgrade?

Canonical enabled upgrades from 24.04 only after the first point release, 26.04.1, which fixes early bugs. That is the usual signal that an LTS is ready for existing installations. If a specific tool you rely on is untested, try a live USB first.

Can I still use X11 on Ubuntu 26.04?

Not for the default GNOME desktop, which runs on Wayland only. X11 applications still work through XWayland. If you need a full X11 desktop, a flavor with a different desktop, such as Xubuntu with Xfce, is the practical option.

Does Ubuntu 26.04 need 6 GB of RAM?

Canonical recommends 6 GB for a comfortable desktop, not as a hard minimum. It installs with less, but a browser with several tabs will push a 4 GB machine into swap. Lighter flavors run better on older PCs.

How long is Ubuntu 24.04 supported?

Standard support for Ubuntu 24.04 LTS runs until May 31, 2029, with extended security maintenance available through Ubuntu Pro.

Sources

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