What is new in Ubuntu 20.04 LTS
Ubuntu 20.04 LTS, codenamed Focal Fossa, is a major Long Term Support release that provides a stable and secure platform for desktops, servers, and cloud environments. It offers 5 years of standard support until April 2025, with the option to extend security maintenance through Ubuntu Pro (formerly ESM).
The release features GNOME 3.36 with performance improvements, Linux kernel 5.4, refreshed theming, updated developer tools, and strong server/cloud enhancements including OpenStack Ussuri and Ceph Octopus.
Key Highlights in Ubuntu 20.04 LTS
| Area | Major Update | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Support Period | 5 years standard support until April 2025 | Reliable long-term platform for production use |
| Linux Kernel | Kernel 5.4 LTS (HWE kernel 5.8 available for desktops) | Better hardware support, performance, and built-in WireGuard VPN |
| Desktop Environment | GNOME 3.36 with refreshed Yaru theme and light/dark switching | Smoother animations, modern look, and improved usability |
| Security | Kernel lockdown mode, fs-verity, OpenSSH U2F/FIDO support | Stronger protection for files and authentication |
| Developer Tools | Python 3.8 default, GCC 9, PHP 7.4, Ruby 2.7 | Modern language runtimes ready for new development |
| Server & Cloud | Live server installer, OpenStack Ussuri, Ceph Octopus, improved QEMU and libvirt | Better automation, virtualization, and cloud integration |
Desktop Experience Improvements
Ubuntu 20.04 LTS ships with GNOME 3.36 and a refreshed Yaru theme that supports easy light and dark mode switching. Key desktop enhancements include:
- New lock screen, system menu, and app folder designs
- Smoother performance with lower CPU usage for animations, overview, and window movements
- Support for 10-bit deep color and X11 fractional scaling
- Firefox 75 and Thunderbird 68.7 as default applications
- LibreOffice 6.4 for productivity
- New graphical boot splash that integrates with the system BIOS logo
- Mesa 20.0 graphics stack and PulseAudio 14.0
Desktop installations automatically track the Hardware Enablement (HWE) kernel stack for the best hardware support.
Core System and Performance Updates
The foundation of Ubuntu 20.04 LTS includes important updates:
- Linux kernel 5.4 with built-in WireGuard VPN support and kernel lockdown in integrity mode
- systemd-timesyncd for basic time synchronization
- Snap Store as the new default tool for discovering and installing applications and snaps
- Python 3.8 as the default Python version (Python 2.7 moved to universe)
- ZFS 0.8.3 with native encryption, device removal, pool TRIM, and improved scrubbing
- Netplan 0.99 with enhanced network features including SR-IOV and GSM modem support
These changes improve system reliability, graphics performance, and storage capabilities.
Developer and Toolchain Enhancements
Ubuntu 20.04 LTS provides updated tools for modern development:
- Python 3.8 as default with improved performance
- GCC 9 and updated build tools
- PHP 7.4 with new features such as typed properties, arrow functions, and weak references
- Ruby 2.7 with pattern matching, compaction GC, and other language improvements
- Ruby on Rails 5.2.3
Developers can start building applications with the latest stable language features right after installation.
Server, Cloud, and Virtualization Improvements
Server and cloud users benefit from many targeted updates:
- New live server installer with better automation, multi-disk support, and easier encryption setup
- QEMU 4.2 and libvirt 6.0 with improved GPU passthrough, virtio features, and microVM support
- cloud-init 20.1 with new datasources and better network configuration handling
- OpenStack Ussuri (available from 20.04.1)
- Ceph Octopus (15.2.1)
- Updated clustering tools with Kronosnet, Corosync 3.0, and Pacemaker 2.0
- PostgreSQL 12, HAProxy 2.0, and OpenSSH 8.2 with U2F/FIDO hardware authentication
These improvements make Ubuntu 20.04 LTS an excellent choice for private clouds, containers, and high-availability setups.
Security Enhancements
Security receives strong attention in this LTS release:
- Kernel lockdown mode enabled in integrity mode
- fs-verity for protecting files against modification
- OpenSSH 8.2 with native U2F/FIDO hardware token support for two-factor authentication
- Built-in WireGuard VPN in the kernel
- Improved syscall filtering and FIPS-compliant options in clustering tools
These features help protect systems against modern threats while maintaining usability.
How These Changes Help in Real-World Use
Desktop users enjoy a smoother, more modern interface with better theming and performance. Developers gain access to up-to-date Python, PHP, Ruby, and other tools for building secure applications. System administrators and cloud operators benefit from the improved installer, virtualization stack, and long-term support. The inclusion of WireGuard and stronger authentication options makes remote access and VPN setups simpler and more secure.
Upgrades from Ubuntu 18.04 are generally straightforward, although some users may need to address Python 2 removal and network configuration changes.
FAQ
How long is Ubuntu 20.04 LTS supported?
Standard support lasts 5 years until April 2025. Extended security maintenance is available through Ubuntu Pro for additional years.
What desktop environment and GNOME version does Ubuntu 20.04 use?
It uses GNOME 3.36 with a refreshed Yaru theme that supports light and dark modes.
What is the default Linux kernel in Ubuntu 20.04 LTS?
The base kernel is 5.4 LTS. Desktop installations track the Hardware Enablement (HWE) kernel for optimal hardware support.
Is Python 2 still available in Ubuntu 20.04?
Python 2.7 is available in the universe repository but is no longer installed by default. Python 3.8 is the default version.
Does Ubuntu 20.04 include WireGuard VPN?
Yes. WireGuard is built directly into the Linux 5.4 kernel for easy and secure VPN setup.
Should I upgrade to Ubuntu 20.04 LTS?
Yes, especially if you need long-term support, modern developer tools, improved virtualization, or stronger security features. Test the upgrade process in a non-production environment first.