Greg Kroah-Hartman has released two significant long-term support (LTS) Linux kernels, 6.18.53 and 6.12.111, both carrying a "must upgrade" warning due to critical security and bug fixes. The 6.18.53 branch includes around 1,250 patches, while 6.12.111 contains about 1,102, focusing on various areas such as virtualization, cryptography, filesystems, and networking. Both kernels are now available and have extended support through December 2028, making them important for enterprise deployments. The updates address various security vulnerabilities and performance issues, reinforcing the necessity for users to upgrade

Linux Kernel 7.2.7 has been released, featuring 737 bug-fix commits and essential security patches, particularly for vulnerabilities related to SMB heap overflows and IPv6 routing. Approximately one-third of the updates focus on networking improvements, while the release also highlights the kernel's increasing dependence on AI tools, with about 20% of commits acknowledging AI assistance. Notable security fixes address serious issues such as heap overflows and use-after-free bugs, ensuring that sysadmins on the 7.2 series are advised to update promptly. Additionally, the release is supported by a community of stable testers, which helps maintain the reliability of the kernel updates

Garuda Linux has announced the release of Garuda Nix, a standalone NixOS distribution that evolved from its previous Nix subsystem. Initially launched as a dual-boot add-on in May 2023, Garuda Nix now offers full installations via a Calamares GUI installer and a command-line tool, with two desktop editions: Dr460nized and Mokka. The new system retains the option to run NixOS as a subvolume within an existing Garuda setup while introducing a dedicated standalone installer for a fully configured NixOS experience. Additionally, Garuda Nix integrates features like impermanence, allowing users to create an effectively immutable system, and comes with daily ISO builds and a binary cache for easy installation of bleeding-edge software

Bazzite Linux 44.20260921 has been released as a rolling incremental update, addressing issues with Intel AX200/AX210 WiFi glitches on handheld devices and restoring the previously missing Broadcom wl kernel module. This update includes twelve commits that improve core graphics drivers, the gaming stack, and desktop environments, while also implementing community-sourced hardware fixes. Notable changes involve disabling the D3cold low-power state for WiFi cards to prevent instability and addressing hardware hangs on Intel and AMD systems. Users can easily upgrade using the bazzite-rollback-helper command, making it a practical update that focuses on resolving hardware issues without major feature changes

MX Linux 25.3 "Infinity," released on September 20, 2026, serves as the third point release of its Debian 13.7-based series, following previous updates 25.1 and 25.2. This release includes the Debian 6.12.107 LTS kernel and introduces MX-specific tools such as Verify-iso-sig for ISO signature checks and MX-Theme-Colors for customizing GTK themes. Users can easily access the latest updates through an apt full-upgrade without needing to reinstall the system. The update enhances various editions, including Xfce, KDE Plasma, and Fluxbox, while offering improvements to existing tools and kernel support for newer hardware

The Linux Kernel 7.3-rc4 has been released, featuring 449 commits from approximately 239 contributors, with a notable focus on filesystems and Wi-Fi improvements. The release emphasizes hardening and error path cleanup rather than new features, as the development cycle aims to address memory-safety issues and enhance network-facing security. Significant contributions include enhancements to SMB/CIFS and NTFS filesystems, as well as wireless stability improvements led by Johannes Berg. The release highlights the collaborative effort of many contributors across various subsystems, demonstrating the maturity and ongoing commitment to maintaining the Linux kernel's reliability and security

Bazzite Linux 44.20260919 has been released as a maintenance update, featuring a significant change in the audio stack by replacing its own WirePlumber fork with an upstream "terra" build, which reduces internal duplication. The update also includes a fix for SELinux label restoration during installation and an upgrade of Gamescope to version 3.16.29. Firmware remains unchanged to ensure stability for handheld devices, following a previous decision to prioritize compatibility over the latest vendor updates. Existing users can easily upgrade without reinstalling, and the release emphasizes the importance of maintaining a reliable and well-managed distribution

Tiling Shell v18.0 Second Release Candidate has been released, featuring support for GNOME 51, which expands compatibility from GNOME 42. A significant update includes a fix for fractional scaling that addresses oversized UI elements in GNOME 49 and later versions running on Wayland. The release process has shifted, with candidate versions now debuting on GitHub for testing before moving to the official extensions directory, reflecting the need for thorough testing due to the extension's complexity and popularity. While the official version is still listed as 17.3 on extensions.gnome.org, users can manually test the candidate version by downloading it from GitHub

Qubes OS 4.3.2-rc1 has been released for testing, featuring an upgrade to the default Fedora template to version 44 and a kernel update to Linux 7.2, with a stable release expected by the end of September. This release is primarily aimed at testers and includes two significant security fixes addressing vulnerabilities in qvm-open-in-vm and qvm-copy-to-vm. Users are advised to back up their systems before testing, as the release is not intended for production environments. The testing process will help validate the changes and ensure stability before the final version is launched

KDE Plasma 6.8 has entered its bug-fixing and polishing phase, with only four open regression reports, while development for 6.9 has just begun. The major update in 6.8 is the implementation of the Union theming system for QtWidgets applications, allowing apps like Dolphin and Kate to adopt a unified look. The team is managing four concurrent release tracks (6.6, 6.7, 6.8, and 6.9) while also addressing various bug fixes and improvements across all versions. Plasma 6.9 remains unscoped, but initial work is underway, with aspirations to use Union's CSS for theming the desktop environment in future releases

Canonical has released Ubuntu 26.10 "Stonking Stingray" Snapshot 4, the final monthly development preview before the stable interim release scheduled for October 15. This snapshot includes updates such as Linux 7.2, GNOME 51, Mesa 26.2, and a transition to Rust-based core utilities, along with a new experimental Amd64-v3 build for newer CPUs. Users are advised to treat this release as a throwaway artifact and not for production use, as it closely mirrors the upcoming beta version. Additionally, Canonical is working on significant changes for future releases, including a redesigned installer, on-device AI capabilities, and ongoing improvements to Rust integration in base system utilities

Alpine Linux has released simultaneous security updates for its four supported branches: 3.21.8, 3.22.6, 3.23.6, and 3.24.2, primarily addressing OpenSSL vulnerabilities. The newer branches have upgraded to OpenSSL 3.5.8, while the older 3.21 branch remains on 3.3.7, reflecting Alpine's backporting approach as the branch approaches its end of support on November 1, 2026. Operators are advised to plan migrations from the 3.21 branch, as it will not receive any further updates after the support deadline. Additionally, the updates include various other security and bug fixes, and users upgrading to a major version should follow specific commands for a successful transition

AlmaLinux OS Foundation has released the 9.9 Beta, "Chartreuse Bobcat," which includes the GCC Toolset 16 and a Linux kernel fix for CPU spikes that Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 9.9 has not yet implemented. This beta also introduces new module streams for Node.js 26 and PHP 8.4, along with security updates for several components, including SELinux and SSSD. Noteworthy changes include the major version update of fapolicyd to 2.0.1 and a rollback in authselect's group-merging behavior, both of which should be tested prior to production deployment. Additionally, the beta contains an upstream kernel fix that addresses excessive CPU consumption, showcasing AlmaLinux's community-led approach in contrast to RHEL's release schedule

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