Last checked and updated on 10 Jun 2026
What is new in Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, codenamed Jammy Jellyfish, is a Long Term Support release that delivers a stable, secure, and modern foundation for desktops, servers, and cloud environments. It offers 5 years of standard support until April 2027, with options for extended security maintenance through Ubuntu Pro.
The release features GNOME 42-based desktop improvements, Linux kernel 5.15 as the base, major toolchain updates, enhanced security defaults, and better server and virtualization support. It also introduces Rust as a first-class language and many performance optimizations.
Key Highlights in Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
| Area | Major Update | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Support Period | 5 years standard support until April 2027 | Long-term stability for production and enterprise use |
| Linux Kernel | Kernel 5.15 (with HWE 5.17 option for desktops) | Improved hardware support, performance, and security |
| Desktop Environment | GNOME 42 with accent colors, dark style preference, and Wayland by default | Modern, customizable, and smoother user experience |
| Security | OpenSSL 3.0, nftables default, ssh-rsa disabled, phased updates | Stronger protection against current threats |
| Developer Tools | GCC 11, Python 3.10, Rust 1.58, Go 1.18, OpenJDK 11/18, PHP 8.1 | Up-to-date toolchains for modern application development |
| Server & Cloud | LXD 5.0 LTS, OpenStack Yoga, PostgreSQL 14, improved clustering | Better virtualization, container, and high-availability support |
Desktop Experience Improvements
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS brings a refined desktop based on GNOME 42. Key changes include:
- New accent color picker and 10 color choices for light and dark themes
- Support for dark style preference with improved theming
- Wayland as the default session (with fallback for NVIDIA users)
- Smoother workspace transitions and better multi-monitor support
- Performance improvements including triple buffering for higher frame rates
- Built-in RDP support for remote desktop sharing
- Firefox delivered as a Snap with faster startup
- LibreOffice 7.3 and Thunderbird 91
- Configurable desktop icons and enhanced Dock settings
These updates make the desktop more productive, visually appealing, and customizable while maintaining LTS stability.
Core System and Performance Updates
The base system includes several foundational improvements:
- Linux kernel 5.15 as the default LTS kernel, with optimized kernels for desktops and new hardware
- systemd 249.11 with the OOMD service for better out-of-memory handling
- plocate as the default locate implementation for faster searches
- nftables as the default firewall backend
- Improved NFS configuration using /etc/nfs.conf with modern INI-style settings
These changes enhance overall system reliability and performance across different use cases.
Developer and Toolchain Enhancements
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS provides updated development tools for modern languages and frameworks:
- GCC 11.2, binutils 2.38, and glibc 2.35
- Python 3.10 as the default version
- Rust 1.58 with strong emphasis on memory safety
- Go 1.18, LLVM 14, and Perl 5.34
- OpenJDK 11 and 18
- PHP 8.1 with new features like enumerations, readonly properties, and performance gains
- PostgreSQL 14 with stored procedures and multirange support
Developers benefit from the latest stable toolchains directly available in the official repositories.
Server, Cloud, and Virtualization Improvements
Server-focused updates include:
- LXD 5.0 LTS with VM vTPM, PCI passthrough, OVN networking, and project limits
- Updated clustering tools: Corosync 3.16 and Pacemaker 2.1
- QEMU 6.2, libvirt 8.0, and virt-manager 4.0 with improved TPM and shared memory support
- containerd 1.5 and runc 1.1 with security fixes
- cloud-init 22.1 with enhanced datasource support
- OpenStack Yoga components and Ceph Quincy (candidate)
These features strengthen Ubuntu for cloud, edge, and enterprise infrastructure deployments.
Security Enhancements
Security is a major focus in this LTS release:
- OpenSSL 3.0 with legacy algorithms disabled by default
- ssh-rsa disabled in OpenSSH for stronger key types
- nftables as the default firewall backend
- needrestart to automatically restart services after updates
- Phased updates in APT for safer package rollouts
- Hardened configurations and improved compliance tools (CIS benchmarks)
These measures provide better protection while maintaining compatibility for most workloads.
How These Changes Help in Real-World Use
Desktop users enjoy a more modern and customizable interface with better performance and remote access options. Developers gain access to up-to-date languages and runtimes for building secure applications. System administrators benefit from improved server tools, virtualization, and networking. Cloud and enterprise users appreciate the long support window, enhanced security defaults, and better hardware compatibility, including full Raspberry Pi support.
Upgrades from previous LTS releases are generally smooth, though changes like Firefox as a Snap and nftables may require minor adjustments in some environments.
FAQ
How long is Ubuntu 22.04 LTS supported?
Standard support lasts 5 years until April 2027. Extended security maintenance is available through Ubuntu Pro for longer coverage.
What desktop environment does Ubuntu 22.04 use?
It uses GNOME 42 with Ubuntu's Yaru theme, featuring new accent colors, improved dark mode, and Wayland by default.
What Linux kernel version is in Ubuntu 22.04 LTS?
The base kernel is 5.15. Desktop installations may use a newer HWE kernel (5.17) for optimal hardware support.
Is Firefox delivered as a Snap in Ubuntu 22.04?
Yes. Firefox is provided exclusively as a Snap package, which offers faster updates and better isolation.
Does Ubuntu 22.04 include Rust by default?
Rust is included in the repositories and is promoted as a first-class language for systems programming.
Should I upgrade to Ubuntu 22.04 LTS?
Yes, particularly if you need long-term support, modern developer tools, improved security, or better server virtualization features. Always test upgrades in a non-production environment first.