The GNOME Project has released GNOME 51, codenamed "A Coruña," which introduces offline Maps, three new Circle apps, and various performance improvements. Key features include a revamped Settings app with Auto Rotate, improvements to the graphics stack, and notable enhancements to the Maps app that allow users to download regions for offline use. Other updates involve improved usability in Files and the Papers document viewer, as well as new applications like a SQLite browser and a counter app. GNOME 51 is available in Fedora 45 Beta and Ubuntu 26.10, continuing the project's commitment to open-source software

Fedora CoreOS 45 Test Week will begin on September 21, 2026, allowing community members to test container-optimized images built from Fedora 45 content prior to their release. This event comes after the Fedora 45 Beta, released on September 15, and focuses on new features like systemd-oomd with zram swap support and native Butane YAML configuration in Ignition. Participants will download test images, run them on various hardware, and report results to ensure a smooth final release expected on November 19, 2026. The Test Week serves as a quality gate for Fedora CoreOS, which is an immutable, image-based operating system designed for cloud and bare-metal deployments

Bazzite has released a new stable build, 44.20260916, which pins the linux-firmware to an earlier version after the latest update caused audio and performance issues on certain handheld devices. This release also includes improved detection for the SuiPlay0X1 handheld, correcting its previous misclassification and restoring proper controller mapping in Gaming Mode. While the firmware has been rolled back, the overall gaming and desktop stack remains intact, allowing users to continue enjoying the latest features without issues. The update emphasizes stability and compatibility for handheld users, with a new pinning mechanism that ensures the firmware version does not automatically update, thus prioritizing a reliable gaming experience

Krita 5.3.4 has been released, featuring the ability to export animations and timelapses directly on Android devices, although this feature is still in beta and limited to tablets. The update also includes the removal of the outdated and vulnerable GIMP XCF importer, encouraging users to switch to the OpenRaster format for file interchange. Alongside this release, Krita 6.0.4 was launched but is considered more experimental due to ongoing changes in the Qt5-to-Qt6 transition, with no Android builds available. In addition to these significant updates, the release includes numerous bug fixes and stability improvements, as well as new icons and features for Krita Plus subscribers

Fedora has released a new batch of community-built live ISOs for Fedora 44, repackaged with the Linux kernel 7.2.5, available for various desktop spins as of September 15. These respins allow users to utilize the current kernel without needing to perform an in-place upgrade, making it easier to test or install the operating system. The release coincided with the announcement of Fedora 45 Beta, which introduces new features and updates, but these respins are meant for those seeking a stable experience with the existing Fedora 44 base. Users can download the ISOs and use them for quick deployment or hardware compatibility checks

Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS, released on September 10, 2026, faced an emergency situation when a desktop installer crash prompted Canonical to pull the amd64 Desktop ISO shortly after launch. The issue was addressed quickly, resulting in a rebuilt version, 24.04.5.1, released on September 15, while all other artifacts remained unchanged. This point release includes security patches and bug fixes, with notable improvements in desktop and server functionalities. Users performing fresh installs should download the new 24.04.5.1 image, while existing users can upgrade via Update Manager without any issues

Bazzite has released its latest stable build, 44.20260915, which introduces the UMU Launcher for non-Steam Windows games and turns off Wi-Fi power saving by default to reduce latency. The UMU Launcher provides a streamlined way to run Windows games on Linux without needing Steam, thus enhancing compatibility for various game storefronts. Additionally, this update includes system upgrades for GNOME and KDE Plasma, as well as various smaller patches and fixes. Users can easily update to this version using the bazzite-rollback-helper for a seamless transition without needing a complete reinstall

Fedora has released the Fedora Linux 45 Beta on September 15, 2026, providing testers with a nearly complete preview ahead of the final release scheduled for October 2026. This beta version includes significant updates such as a new userspace kmscon console, enforced package signature checking, and restricted ptrace access for unprivileged users, alongside numerous toolchain updates. The Fedora Asahi Remix 45 Beta has also been launched, featuring out-of-the-box support for Apple M3 Macs, although full GPU driver support will come later through an update. The beta is available for download across various editions and allows users to upgrade existing systems using DNF

XanMod released coordinated updates for its MAIN, LTS, and RT kernel branches on September 14, 2026, aligning with upstream Linux versions 7.2.6 and 6.18.52. This release focuses heavily on security and stability, featuring significant improvements to the SMB server (ksmbd) and enhancements for AMD power management in the LTS build. Users of Debian and Ubuntu can install these updates via XanMod's APT repository, but should be cautious of potential DKMS module compatibility issues. XanMod is a downstream kernel build that includes various optimizations and features aimed at enhancing performance for desktop and gaming users, with specific installation steps outlined on their website

Liquorix Linux Kernel 7.2-11 has been released, marking the project's fastest release cadence with seven packages launched in just ten days. The new version skips 7.2.5 and merges upstream Linux 7.2.6, while carrying forward prior patches, particularly focusing on enhancements to the custom scheduler for improved system responsiveness. The release cycle included significant changes aimed at addressing system freezes and optimizing performance for low-VRAM and integrated-GPU systems, which are crucial for gamers and desktop users. Overall, the effort reflects a commitment to stability and performance, showcasing the ongoing development and refinement of the Liquorix kernel

Fedora is hosting a community Test Day from September 14 to 20 to stress-test KDE Plasma 6.7, encouraging volunteers to identify bugs before the final release of Fedora 45. This event includes collaboration between KDE developers and Fedora QA veterans, marking a significant co-branded quality initiative. KDE Plasma 6.7 is notable for being the last version to support X11 and introduces features like per-screen virtual desktops, while also paying homage to the past with the return of the Oxygen theme. Participants can install Fedora 45, run test cases, and report their findings through the designated portal during the event week

Greg Kroah-Hartman released seven new versions of the Linux kernel on September 14, including the latest short-term stable version 7.2.6 and several long-term branches. These releases primarily consist of upstream bug fixes and security patches, with a focus on addressing memory-safety issues and networking defects. The updates, which do not introduce new features, span a wide range of supported versions, demonstrating significant coverage in the Linux ecosystem from the newest to older branches. Available for download on kernel.org, these updates ensure continued stability and security for various hardware and software environments

Shelly ALPM v3.1.4 was released on September 13, introducing an --aur-cache flag that allows Arch users to clear built AUR package archives and reclaim disk space. The update enhances the native builder by addressing various PKGBUILD issues and replacing Arch's pacstrap with the project's own Shelterstrap for isolated builds. The GUI package manager, designed to work directly with Arch's libalpm, also features improvements such as selectable text in the detail pane and better handling of PGP key-import confirmations. The project continues to evolve with contributions from a rotating cast of developers, emphasizing its integration within the Arch ecosystem while maintaining a focus on speed and accuracy

The third release candidate for Linux Kernel 7.3, known as 7.3-rc3, has been released, featuring significant updates primarily in the XFS filesystem and the SMB network client, though drivers for sound, networking, and GPU also constitute a large portion of the work. This release includes numerous memory-safety fixes aimed at addressing vulnerabilities like use-after-free and overflow bugs, many of which were identified by syzbot and security researchers. The kernel's filesystem footprint has expanded, with XFS being a major contributor, while the overall driver updates remain the core focus of this release cycle. Torvalds encourages users to test the release extensively as the stable version is expected to debut in the latter half of October 2023

Bazzite Linux 44.20260914 has been released, featuring a significant fix for Wi-Fi latency on the Steam Deck by disabling power saving by default. The update includes enhancements such as an upgrade to Gamescope version 3.16.28 and Nvidia open drivers reaching version 615.71.09, along with various bug fixes and improvements to MangoHUD and KDE. Four packages were removed from the base image due to an upstream packaging issue, including mesa-libOpenCL, though it's uncertain if this will affect user workflows. Bazzite Linux is a cloud-native, image-based Fedora Atomic build maintained by Universal Blue, designed for gaming with HDR and VRR support

Debian has released live images of its seventh point update for the Trixie stable branch, addressing over 70 security vulnerabilities across various packages, including critical fixes for QEMU, glibc, and OpenSSL. The new live images include various desktop environments such as GNOME 48, KDE Plasma 6.3, and Xfce 4.20, and they run entirely from RAM, making them ideal for testing or forensic work without modifying the hard drive. This update maintains full support until August 2028, with Long Term Support extending to June 2030, making it suitable for enterprise use. Users can download the images and verify them using SHA-512 checksums, ensuring a secure installation experience

XanMod has released updates for both its mainline and long-term support (LTS) Linux kernels, version 7.2.5-xanmod1 and 6.18.51-xanmod1, on September 12. These updates include performance enhancements, security hardening, fixes for NVIDIA's Blackwell generation chips, and defaulting to Google's BBRv3 congestion control. The LTS version also retains a PREEMPT_RT variant for users needing low-latency performance, while the mainline version features the latest scheduler experiments and memory management improvements. XanMod's kernels come with a range of custom patches and optimizations tailored for desktop and gaming performance, along with easy installation via an APT repository

Debian GNU/Linux 13.7 "trixie" was released, focusing on security with patches for 60 CVEs across 47 packages, including significant updates for QEMU, glibc, and ImageMagick. The update addresses critical vulnerabilities such as secure boot bypasses and memory corruption, and includes a foundational glibc overhaul that necessitated a rebuild of numerous core utilities. Other notable updates include improvements to OpenSSL, Samba, and Python 3.13, while the installer kernel has been updated to 6.12.107+deb13 with enhanced EFI secure boot verification. Users are encouraged to apply the patches immediately via apt full-upgrade, with new installation images becoming available shortly

Canonical has withdrawn the Ubuntu 24.04.5 desktop ISO for AMD64 systems due to a critical bug that causes the installer to crash when the "Extended" install option is selected. The issue stems from leftover references to TPMFDE that create dependency conflicts, preventing installation from completing; however, other architectures, such as Arm64, and server editions remain unaffected. Canonical has already implemented fixes for the affected packages and plans to release a corrected ISO early next week. In the meantime, users can opt for the previous 24.04.4 ISO or use a test build of the patch before the official release

Kdenlive has released version 26.08.1, which serves as the first maintenance patch for the summer series, addressing multiple crash issues across major platforms and modernizing the FFmpeg pipeline. This update resolves problems such as effect zones bleeding past clip boundaries and a splash screen hang that caused false crash reports, while focusing on improving stability rather than introducing new features. The previous version, 26.08.0, brought significant changes like track reordering and enhancements to the title editor, while the team has been actively addressing bugs since its launch. Looking ahead, a major project involving a complete refactoring of the keyframe system is underway and is expected to debut in the upcoming 26.12.0 release in December