Last checked and updated on 05 Jun 2026
What Is New in Ubuntu 21.04
Ubuntu 21.04 (Hirsute Hippo) delivers a refresh of core system components and desktop applications, focusing on incremental improvements and updated toolchains for developers.
| Category | Key Changes |
|---|---|
| New Features | Native Microsoft Active Directory integration, Wayland as default for NVIDIA, Private Directory feature. |
| Improvements | Updated toolchain (GCC 10.3, GLIBC 2.33, Python 3.9.5), newer kernel (Linux 5.11), refreshed desktop apps. |
| Infrastructure | Transition to 50-day Ubuntu release cycle, updated installer images. |
| Deprecated/Removed | Python 2 removed entirely, 32-bit PowerPC support deprecated. |
How does the new Active Directory integration work?
The integration is now native, using the existing AD sysvol policies. You no longer need to manually install or configure third-party packages like Likewise Open or Winbind. This matters because it simplifies joining Ubuntu desktops to a Windows domain significantly.
The system uses realmd and sssd under the hood, which are standard components for this purpose. In practice, you can join a domain directly from the GUI installer or after installation using a simple command-line tool.
What's the deal with Wayland and NVIDIA?
Wayland is now the default display server if you're using the proprietary NVIDIA driver. This is a big shift from previous releases where Xorg was the only option for a smooth experience on NVIDIA hardware.
The support relies on NVIDIA's new GBM (Generic Buffer Management) backend instead of their legacy EGLStreams. This finally brings NVIDIA users in line with the modern display server that the rest of the Linux ecosystem is moving towards.
What toolchain versions should developers expect?
The development toolchain gets a solid bump. GCC is at 10.3, the GNU C Library (glibc) is at version 2.33, and Python is updated to 3.9.5. This is the stack you'll be building against if you're developing on or for Hirsute.
For Python devs, the big news is the complete removal of Python 2. The system is now fully on Python 3. This cleanup removes a lot of legacy cruft and clarifies the development target.
Is the kernel version different?
Yes, Ubuntu 21.04 ships with the Linux 5.11 kernel. This kernel brings support for newer hardware, including Intel Alder Lake and initial support for Apple M1 systems, along with the usual performance improvements and driver updates.
For most users, this means better out-of-the-box compatibility with the latest laptops and peripherals. It's a standard kernel upgrade that keeps the system current with upstream developments.
FAQ
I use an NVIDIA GPU. Should I expect any issues with the new Wayland default?
If you're on the proprietary driver, it should just work using the new GBM support. However, if you encounter problems, you can still select "Ubuntu on Xorg" from the login screen to fall back to the traditional session.
My scripts still rely on Python 2. What happens now?
They will break. Python 2 has been completely removed from the main archives. You need to port your code to Python 3 or use a containerized/distro-independent method like Flatpak to provide a Python 2 environment.
How do I join an Active Directory domain now?
The process is much simpler. You can use the command realm join domain.name or use the GUI in the Settings application under "About" -> "Domain Join".
What is the 'Private Directory' feature?
It's an option during installation that creates an encrypted directory (~/Private) for your sensitive files. It uses ecryptfs to automatically encrypt and decrypt files on the fly when you log in and out.
Is 32-bit PowerPC (ppc) support still available?
No, it has been deprecated. This release only supports 64-bit PowerPC (ppc64el) for the Little Endian architecture. If you have older 32-bit PowerPC hardware, you'll need to stay on an older LTS release.