On July 24, 2026, Greg Kroah-Hartman released six long-term support (LTS) kernel versions simultaneously, including the new 6.18.40 branch. The release included a substantial number of patches, with the latest LTS branch receiving 1,624 updates, emphasizing security fixes for critical vulnerabilities such as CVE-2026-46113. Alongside security improvements, various subsystem updates were made, enhancing power management, memory reclaim, and networking. All source tarballs are available at kernel.org, with vendors expected to integrate the patches into their distributions soon

Linux Kernel 7.1.5 has been released by Greg Kroah-Hartman, featuring 2,070 commits from nearly 800 contributors, which includes critical security fixes and resolution of driver deadlocks. Among the highlights are patches addressing a use-after-free race in POSIX CPU timers and a Bluetooth L2CAP flaw that could lead to memory corruption. The release also fixes filesystem deadlocks and updates ALSA driver firmware handling, with the increase in patch volume being attributed to AI-assisted development and faster discovery cycles in the community. As the mainline development continues with 7.2-rc4, observers note that such large stable updates are becoming the norm rather than an exception

KDE neon has released a new daily build featuring Plasma 6.7.3, Frameworks 6.28.0, and Gear 26.04.3, all running on an Ubuntu 24.04 LTS foundation. This update introduces the long-requested per-screen virtual desktops, a quick light/dark mode toggle, improved SMB printing, and enhanced color management capabilities. Additionally, theming has been revamped with the return of the Oxygen suite and a tech preview of the new CSS-based Union engine. This build is aimed at users seeking the latest KDE software on a rolling release model, while also paying tribute to Eric Laffoon, a dedicated KDE supporter who recently passed away

Manjaro Linux has released the third release candidate (RC3) of its upcoming 26.1 version, codenamed "Bian-May," with the GNOME minimal ISO now available for download on SourceForge. This release includes significant updates, such as GNOME 50, KDE Plasma 6.6, and XFCE 4.20, along with improvements like default VRR, fractional scaling, and an enhanced installer partitioning flow. The GNOME variant introduces parental controls and hardware-accelerated remote desktop sessions, while KDE features new theme-saving options and improved screenshot capabilities. Users are encouraged to test the RC3 ISOs and provide feedback before the final stable release, with various download options available for different desktop environments

Tails 7.10 has been released, featuring a new safer shutdown procedure that includes a 60-second confirmation window to prevent accidental data loss, alongside a switch from GNOME Videos to the network-restricted Celluloid video player. The Tor Browser has also been updated to version 15.0.19, incorporating important security fixes from Firefox. This release reflects a rapid development pace, with eleven updates in the 7.x series since January 2026, largely driven by critical kernel vulnerability patches. Additionally, Thunderbird has been removed from the base system and is now available as additional software, while firmware updates have been made to enhance support for newer hardware

Manjaro Linux 26.1 "Bian-May" RC2 has been released as a preview on July 22, 2026, continuing the project's biannual release schedule following the earlier version 26.0 "Anh-Linh." This release includes three kernel options and introduces GNOME 50, which features enhanced parental controls, improved variable refresh rate stability, and better hardware support for NVIDIA users. The KDE Plasma and XFCE editions also receive updates, including theme switching and accessibility options. Overall, this release is seen as polished and user-friendly, making it a strong upgrade for GNOME fans and addressing long-standing issues for NVIDIA users

Bazzite Linux 44.20260721 was released on July 21, featuring an upgraded accelerated kernel and dual Nvidia driver options tailored for gamers. This version incorporates updates from the Open Gaming Collective to enhance compatibility across various gaming-focused Linux distributions while providing GeForce users the flexibility to choose between cutting-edge and stable drivers. The release also includes improvements to the gaming stack, such as new versions of Gamescope and Bazaar, alongside updates to packages like Mesa and KDE Plasma. Despite the improvements, users have reported some issues, such as Flatpak hangs and Nvidia driver quirks, prompting ongoing discussions in the community about potential fixes and future enhancements

Liquorix Kernel 7.1-5 was released on July 19, 2026, merging upstream Linux v7.1.4 and implementing over 40 patches to enhance its custom Project-C scheduler for gaming and multimedia performance. The update reduces the default scheduling timeslice to 2ms and disables split lock detection, prioritizing low-latency task switching while sacrificing some power efficiency and sustained throughput. This kernel is specifically designed for AMD64 and x86_64 hardware, focusing on delivering improved responsiveness for gaming and creative workloads. Installation is straightforward through the provided script, and while it may not drastically boost performance, users will experience smoother system behavior during resource-intensive tasks

The fourth release candidate for Linux Kernel 7.2, released on July 19, 2026, introduces significant features such as Cache-Aware Scheduling, which optimizes CPU task placement and enhances MongoDB performance by up to 100%. The kernel has surpassed 43 million lines of code and has seen a steady influx of patches, aided by AI-assisted bug detection. Notable changes include the removal of the outdated strncpy API, replaced by safer alternatives, and enhancements to graphics and storage support. The stable release of Linux Kernel 7.2 is expected in August 2026, with ongoing efforts to phase out legacy code and improve security features

GNOME Fractal has released version 14.1 to address a regression that prevented users from updating their display names on certain Matrix servers, an issue first reported by Jack S. This update is now available for installation via Flathub and restores the ability to modify account settings without errors. Although this minor release does not introduce new features or major improvements, it fixes a critical glitch that impacted basic profile management. The GNOME team encourages users to participate in testing through Fractal Nightly and to report bugs on GitLab to assist with future updates

OpenSUSE has released four moderate security updates for openSUSE Tumbleweed, addressing vulnerabilities in the oras, nginx, gomuks, and blender packages. The updates include fixes for several high-scoring flaws such as CVE-2026-42533 in nginx with a score of 9.2 and CVE-2026-39821 in gomuks with a score of 9.1. Users are advised to install the latest package versions: oras-1.3.3-2.1, nginx-1.31.3-1.1, gomuks-26.03+git.1780250926.564a8707-1.1, and blender-5.2.0-1.1 to mitigate these security risks. Detailed information on the vulnerabilities and their CVSS scores can be found on the SUSE security website

XanMod has released new kernel builds for Linux 7.1.4 and 6.18.39, focusing on significant security fixes and performance enhancements. The updates address critical vulnerabilities in various drivers and subsystems while maintaining features like BBRv3 and AMD 3D V-Cache support. Users can select between the feature-rich mainline version or the stable LTS branch, which offers long-term support until December 2028. With a strong emphasis on security, this release cycle has introduced numerous patches, making XanMod a reliable choice for users seeking performance without compromising on safety

Today, Greg Kroah-Hartman released stable updates for Linux kernels 7.1.4, 6.18.39, and 6.12.96, incorporating a significant number of commits aimed at addressing critical security vulnerabilities. The updates focus heavily on fixing issues related to FUSE, io_uring race conditions, XFS filesystem integrity, and touchscreen driver buffer overflows. AI-assisted auditing tools are increasingly being used to identify edge-case bugs that might otherwise be overlooked in code reviews. Each kernel version includes core fixes and improvements, with the 7.1.4 branch leading in commits and security patches, followed closely by the 6.18.39 and 6.12.96 versions

KDE is focusing on the development of Plasma 6.8, set for release in December, which features automatic window shadows and the long-requested CPU affinity for System Monitor. The introduction of automatic drop shadows and rounded corners for client-side decorated (CSD) windows will enhance the visual integration of third-party applications like Steam and Discord with the Breeze theme. Additionally, the System Monitor will now allow users to pin processes to specific CPU cores, a feature that has been in demand for nine years, offering significant benefits for performance tuning. Other updates include improvements to the Task Manager, modernization of settings pages, and ongoing efforts to reduce memory usage across the platform

KDE neon has released version 20260716, featuring Plasma 6.7.3, KDE Frameworks 6.28.0, and KDE Gear 26.04.3 on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. This rolling release continues its philosophy of providing unmodified KDE software without distribution delays, while now employing an enhanced testing pipeline for improved stability. The ISO file is available for download in various formats, including desktop, mobile, and Bigscreen variants, with the desktop version being 3.1 GB. KDE neon is designed for enthusiasts who want the latest software with no patches or modifications, though it may not be suitable for casual users who prioritize stability

Remi Collet has released candidate packages for PHP versions 8.4.24RC1 and 8.5.9RC1 for users of Fedora and Enterprise Linux, allowing them to test upcoming updates before the stable release on July 30. The release candidates are available through the remi-modular-test and remi-test repositories, providing options for both base packages and Software Collections to avoid disrupting existing setups. The PHP QA team has confirmed that the feature set is locked for these RC versions, meaning no changes will be accepted post-release except for security fixes. Users can expect the final release to be available soon, with configuration snippets available for easy setup

Liquorix Linux Kernel 7.1-4 has been released, featuring updates that focus on major cleanup and stability improvements, including the reversion of six obsolete patches. This new version integrates the Project-C scheduler framework, which enhances latency for gaming and interactive workloads. The update signifies a shift towards relying more on upstream code and reducing the maintenance burden of niche patches, indicating the project's maturation. Users can install the update easily via a one-command install script, maintaining a tuning philosophy that prioritizes responsiveness for desktop users

Oracle Linux 10 Update 2 has been released, featuring post-quantum cryptography support in OpenSSH and libSSH, as well as the inclusion of Python 3.14 in its developer stack. This update, based on RHEL 10.2 sources, also introduces new hardware drivers for Intel accelerators, WiFi 7 enablement, and enhancements to kernel networking. In addition to these features, the release includes updates for storage and identity management, with new versions of MariaDB and PostgreSQL available in the base repository. Overall, while Oracle continues to prioritize integration and support over novel kernel work, the update promises a stable and secure environment for enterprise users

Liquorix Linux Kernel 7.1-3 has been released, marking the project's transition to the Linux 7.1 mainline and integrating the Project-C low-latency scheduler. This update includes significant upstream fixes and enhancements for memory management, particularly with transparent hugepages, offering better performance for databases and audio production workloads. The release reflects active development, with previous versions 7.1-1 and 7.1-2 introducing the new base and addressing numerous scheduler issues. Users are encouraged to consider the kernel's non-longterm status while enjoying the latest features and improvements, including a new per-mapping control for transparent hugepages tailored to specific application needs

KDE has released Plasma 6.7.3, a bugfix update that addresses critical stability issues and introduces quality-of-life enhancements. Notable improvements include the restoration of triple buffering for NVIDIA GPUs in KWin, a fix for screens failing to wake from DPMS sleep, and the resolution of a significant vulnerability in shared calendar event plugins. This update also brings various desktop fixes, such as accurate timezone rendering in the Digital Clock widget and enhancements to the SDDM login manager. The release is dedicated to Eric Laffoon, a long-time contributor to the KDE project who passed away in May 2026