SparkyLinux 7.8 has officially been released, delivering a range of updates and improvements to the operating system. This quarterly point release, part of the Sparky 7 "Orion Belt" line, is built on Debian 12 "Bookworm" and offers enhanced stability and performance.
Key features of Sparky 7.8 include:
- Comprehensive updates to all packages from both Debian and Sparky stable repositories as of July 14, 2025.
- The inclusion of the Linux kernel version 6.1.140-LTS, along with several other versions available in Sparky repositories.
- Updates to popular software packages like LibreOffice (version 7.4.7), KDE Plasma (5.27.5), LXQt (1.2.0), MATE (1.26), Xfce (4.18), Openbox (3.6.1), Firefox (128.12.0esr), and Thunderbird (128.12.0esr).
- Resolution of conflicts with libraries previously installed from Debian multimedia repositories, which had hindered certain package installations, including GIMP, which is now pre-installed in the live media.
- ARM images remain on version 7.7 and have not been updated in this release.
Sparky 7.8 is available in multiple versions to cater to different hardware configurations:
- For amd64 architecture, users can choose from Xfce, LXQt, MATE, KDE Plasma, MinimalGUI (Openbox), and MinimalCLI (text mode), supporting BIOS/UEFI with Secure Boot.
- The i686 non-pae version is available for legacy systems with MinimalGUI (Openbox) and MinimalCLI (text mode).
- ARMHF and ARM64 versions are offered with Openbox and CLI options.
Users who already have Sparky 7 installed can simply keep their systems updated without the need for reinstallation. New ISO images can be downloaded from the official Sparky stable download page.
Looking ahead, users can expect ongoing support and regular updates for SparkyLinux, ensuring a secure and user-friendly experience. The development team is committed to maintaining compatibility with Debian's updates while providing a distinct, user-friendly interface tailored for various desktop environments. The community is encouraged to provide feedback and support to further enhance the user experience in future releases
Key features of Sparky 7.8 include:
- Comprehensive updates to all packages from both Debian and Sparky stable repositories as of July 14, 2025.
- The inclusion of the Linux kernel version 6.1.140-LTS, along with several other versions available in Sparky repositories.
- Updates to popular software packages like LibreOffice (version 7.4.7), KDE Plasma (5.27.5), LXQt (1.2.0), MATE (1.26), Xfce (4.18), Openbox (3.6.1), Firefox (128.12.0esr), and Thunderbird (128.12.0esr).
- Resolution of conflicts with libraries previously installed from Debian multimedia repositories, which had hindered certain package installations, including GIMP, which is now pre-installed in the live media.
- ARM images remain on version 7.7 and have not been updated in this release.
Sparky 7.8 is available in multiple versions to cater to different hardware configurations:
- For amd64 architecture, users can choose from Xfce, LXQt, MATE, KDE Plasma, MinimalGUI (Openbox), and MinimalCLI (text mode), supporting BIOS/UEFI with Secure Boot.
- The i686 non-pae version is available for legacy systems with MinimalGUI (Openbox) and MinimalCLI (text mode).
- ARMHF and ARM64 versions are offered with Openbox and CLI options.
Users who already have Sparky 7 installed can simply keep their systems updated without the need for reinstallation. New ISO images can be downloaded from the official Sparky stable download page.
Looking ahead, users can expect ongoing support and regular updates for SparkyLinux, ensuring a secure and user-friendly experience. The development team is committed to maintaining compatibility with Debian's updates while providing a distinct, user-friendly interface tailored for various desktop environments. The community is encouraged to provide feedback and support to further enhance the user experience in future releases
SparkyLinux 7.8 released
Sparky Linux 7.8 has been released. The update includes updates to all packages from Debian and Sparky stable repos, fixes for issues with installed packages, and new ISO images for the stable version. Sparky 7 is available in various versions, including amd64 BIOS/UEFI+Secure Boot, i686 non-pae BIOS/UEFI (Legacy), and ARMHF & ARM64. Users can keep their Sparky 7 installed and download new ISO images from the stable page.
