The latest release of Tiling Shell for GNOME, version 17.3, has introduced a variety of enhancements and features aimed at optimizing the user experience for window management on Linux desktops. This extension builds upon GNOME’s basic two-column layout, transforming it into a fully customizable tiling system compatible with GNOME Shell versions 42 through 49, whether on X11 or Wayland.

Ubuntu Linux has announced the release of Ubuntu 26.04 Snapshot 3, marking a crucial stage in the development of the upcoming Long-Term Support (LTS) version. These snapshots serve as preliminary builds intended for testing purposes only and are not recommended for regular or critical use. Developers and enthusiastic users can experiment with the latest features, but caution is advised when using these unstable versions.

The recently released Liquorix Linux Kernel 6.18-9, derived from Kernel 6.18.8, enhances desktop responsiveness, reduces frame-time jitter in gaming, and improves video processing. Designed for users who prioritize interactivity over power efficiency, this kernel is ideal for those who spend significant time in web browsing and gaming. To ensure a secure installation, users are encouraged to run a provided script that fetches pre-built packages and updates GRUB, allowing for pre-reboot verification of the new kernel entry.

The XanMod Kernel has released two versions: 6.18.8 and 6.12.68 LTS, offering significant updates for Debian-based systems. The 6.18.8 version introduces features such as LLVM ThinLTO, BBRv3 congestion control, and an optional PREEMPT_RT build, enhancing I/O and scheduler performance for everyday tasks. A detailed guide is available for setting up the repository, importing the signing key, and installing the new kernel while addressing potential issues with modules like NVIDIA and VirtualBox.

The Linux Kernel version 6.12.68 has been officially released, featuring a variety of bug fixes and enhancements aimed at improving system performance and security. A key highlight of this release is the resolution of a communication performance regression associated with the vsock/virtio network modules, which has been effectively addressed by incorporating the skb_copy_datagram_from_iter_full() function. This function ensures that data is properly reset in the event of errors, maintaining the integrity of data transmission.

Linux Kernel 6.6.122 has been released, introducing a series of bug fixes and enhancements aimed at improving the overall stability and performance of the operating system. Key updates include significant corrections in network device drivers, CPU state management, wireless drivers, graphics, and filesystems.

The Linux Kernel 6.18.8 has officially been released, introducing a series of important bug fixes and performance improvements. A key highlight of this release is a significant enhancement in virtual memory management during process forks. This update addresses how limits are managed for Virtual Memory Areas (VMA) during mremap operations, effectively mitigating potential security risks. This critical fix was spearheaded by developer Lorenzo Stoakes and has undergone rigorous testing to ensure its reliability.

Tails 7.4.1 has been officially released, and it brings significant enhancements, particularly in security. This update addresses critical vulnerabilities in OpenSSL that could have jeopardized user anonymity on the Tor network. Specifically, flaws identified as DSA 6113-1 in version 3.5.4 of OpenSSL were patched, which could have allowed malicious actors operating Tor relays to expose users’ identities. Fortunately, there have been no reports of these vulnerabilities being exploited in the wild.

KDE neon has launched its latest version, 20260129, which gives users immediate access to the new features of KDE Plasma 6.5.5. This release reinforces KDE neon’s reputation as a cutting-edge software platform, built upon Ubuntu's long-term support base. It provides users with unmodified versions of KDE applications as intended by their developers, ensuring a pure experience devoid of proprietary driver modifications or stability patches.

PHP 8.4.18RC1 and 8.5.3RC1 are now available in Remi's testing repositories, allowing Fedora and Enterprise Linux users to explore these release candidate versions. These packages cater specifically to those interested in testing or comparing with previous PHP releases, and are compatible with both x86_64 and aarch64 architectures. Users on Fedora versions 41-43 and Enterprise Linux distributions (RHEL, CentOS Stream, AlmaLinux, Rocky) version 8 or newer can install these packages from the remi-modular-test repository for base packages, or from the remi-test repository if they are utilizing Software Collections (SCL).

The Alpine Linux project has introduced four new stable releases: 3.20.9, 3.21.6, 3.22.3, and 3.23.3. These versions specifically target critical security vulnerabilities found in the OpenSSL library, which is widely utilized for secure communications over networks. The updates address multiple common vulnerability exposures (CVEs), particularly high-priority issues such as CVE-2025-11187, CVE-2025-15467, and CVE-2025-15468. Additionally, the releases include patches for several other vulnerabilities: CVE-2025-66199, CVE-2025-68160, CVE-2025-69418, CVE-2025-69419, CVE-2025-69420, and CVE-2025-69421, enhancing the security posture of the Alpine Linux distributions.

KDE Plasma 6.6 Beta 2 has been released, introducing notable enhancements that enhance user experience. Among the three new modules—plasma-login-manager, plasma-keyboard, and plasma-setup—each plays a crucial role in improving the login screen, on-screen keyboard functionality, and the initial setup process. This update also addresses several stability issues, particularly with KWin, eliminating fullscreen overlay bugs and fixing flickering issues with hardware cursors on older GPUs. Although some minor changes, like the tweak to Aurorae’s menu button or the addition of Waterfox support, might be considered trivial, they do not detract from the overall stability boost this beta offers.

PikaOS has launched version 26.01.26, a substantial update that enhances user experience by introducing significant changes and improvements. This release includes a new installation image featuring the COSMIC desktop environment, addresses core connectivity issues across applications, and updates various user interface elements. The update aims to create a more streamlined experience for users of all skill levels, with several desktop environments available, including GNOME 49, KDE 6.5, Hyprland, Niri, and COSMIC.

Bazzite Linux has announced the release of version 43.20260126, which introduces a range of updates and enhancements from its previous stable version, 43.20260120. Key features of this release include the introduction of a new kernel package (6.17.7-ba25), updated firmware (version 20260110-1), and several upgraded software packages such as Mesa (25.3.3-2), Bazaar (0.7.5-1), Ptyxis (49.2-1), and core components of both Gnome (49.3-1.bazzite) and KDE (6.5.5-1). Nvidia drivers have also seen updates, with non-LTS users receiving version 590.48.01-1 and LTS users getting 580.95.05-1.

Linus Torvalds has officially released the seventh release candidate (RC7) of the Linux Kernel 6.19, marking a crucial milestone as development progresses toward the final version. With the holiday season approaching, the team is already working on the next release candidate (RC8) to provide additional time for testing and refinement, ensuring a robust final product.

XanMod Linux Kernel 6.18.7 has been released, offering significant enhancements for users of Debian and Ubuntu distributions. This new kernel introduces features such as LLVM ThinLTO for improved compilation, aggressive x86_64 scheduling, and networking upgrades like BBRv3, which can enhance performance for heavy I/O tasks and compilation workloads. However, users should be cautious, as this update may cause compatibility issues with DKMS-based drivers, including those for NVIDIA, OpenZFS, and VirtualBox/VMware. It is advisable to keep the previous kernel available for easy reinstallation or rollback if any issues arise.

CachyOS has released its January 2026 ISO, introducing significant enhancements to the installation process and overall user experience. The revamped installer now integrates bootloader selection directly into Calamares, defaulting to Limine, and incorporates early architecture detection. These changes collectively reduce the download size by approximately one gigabyte and eliminate the need for redundant package installations through the inclusion of the “--needed” pacman flag. The live session has transitioned to a Wayland environment, utilizing the new plasma-login-manager, which offers a more cohesive KDE experience by aligning the greeter with the desktop theme and reducing X11 dependencies.

Liquorix Linux Kernel 6.18-8 Released: Overview and Installation Guide

PikaOS has unveiled its latest version, 26.01.24, featuring significant updates designed to enhance user experience across the board. The release focuses on a comprehensive synchronization of over 200,000 packages and refreshing core desktop environments. Notable updates include GNOME (now at version 49), KDE (version 6.5), and Budgie (version 10.10), alongside an upgraded kernel (6.18.6) and improved graphics capabilities with the latest Mesa driver.

Steven Barrett has unveiled the latest update of the Liquorix Linux Kernel, version 6.18-7, which incorporates vital enhancements aimed at improving the performance of desktop environments, especially for multimedia and gaming applications. This release addresses a specific performance issue affecting Project-C by reverting a previous modification related to scheduling, specifically the "Rework sched_idle_mask."