The Linux Kernel 7.2 has been released, featuring a new NTFS driver, enabling Intel FRED by default, and providing Apple Silicon battery reporting, while removing legacy support for i486 and PCMCIA. This update addresses two critical vulnerabilities, enhances performance with hardware-accelerated Zstd compression for Intel QAT, and adds real-time scheduling for 32-bit ARM. With over 441,000 lines of code changed, users are encouraged to upgrade for stability, as the development for version 7.3 has already begun. The release aims to improve compatibility, security, and performance, particularly for desktop and server environments

Linux Kernel 7.2 Released: Intel FRED, Apple Silicon Fixes, and Security Patches

The final version of Linux Kernel 7.2 has been released after seven release candidates, introducing a new NTFS driver, enables Intel FRED by default, and adds Apple Silicon battery reporting alongside the removal of legacy i486 and PCMCIA support. The update also addresses two critical vulnerabilities, closing a local privilege escalation path in OpenRISC and fixing a shared secret leak in the DRBD subsystem. Performance and embedded improvements include hardware-accelerated Zstd compression for Intel QAT, real-time scheduling for 32-bit ARM, and power telemetry for AMD Ryzen AI NPUs. With over 441,000 lines changed across major subsystems, users are encouraged to upgrade immediately for stability while the 7.3 development cycle has already begun.

Linux Kernel 7.2 Released: Intel FRED, Apple Silicon Fixes, and Security Patches @ Linux Compatible