Last checked and updated on 10 Jun 2026
What Is New in Ubuntu 23.04
Lunar Lobster brings a refreshed desktop, updated toolchains, and new hardware support. This release focuses on the GNOME 44 desktop experience and provides developers with the latest stable versions of key software.
| Category | Key Updates |
|---|---|
| New Features | GNOME 44, Linux Kernel 6.2, New Installer |
| Desktop Environment | Redesigned System Settings, Quick Settings grid |
| Toolchain Updates | GCC 13.0, LLVM 16, Python 3.11, Go 1.20 |
| Cloud & Containers | Cloud images with nftables, containerd 1.6.20 |
| Hardware Support | Intel Arc Graphics, Raspberry Pi 4 WLAN improvements |
What's the big deal with GNOME 44?
The core of the desktop experience is GNOME 44. This update introduces a more organized and functional Quick Settings menu, making it faster to access common controls like screen sharing and background apps.
The System Settings application has been completely redesigned. It now uses a list-based navigation on the left, which is much easier to browse than the previous grid layout. In practice, finding a specific network or privacy setting is significantly quicker.
How does the kernel update improve hardware support?
Ubuntu 23.04 ships with Linux kernel 6.2, which includes support for newer hardware platforms. This is crucial for getting the most out of recent hardware, especially graphics cards.
The new kernel brings initial support for Intel Arc Graphics (DG2/Alchemist) GPUs. For Raspberry Pi 4 users, there are notable improvements to the WLAN firmware, which should result in a more stable wireless connection out of the box.
What tools do developers get in this release?
The toolchain is comprehensively updated. You get GCC 13.0, LLVM 16, Rust 1.68, Go 1.20, and Python 3.11.0 as the default /usr/bin/python3. This matters because it lets you develop with the latest language features and optimizations without manually adding third-party archives.
Python 3.11 is a performance-focused release, and having it as the default means your scripts and applications can immediately benefit from its speed improvements.
Is there anything new for cloud and containers?
Yes, the cloud images have switched their default firewall backend from iptables to nftables. Nftables is the modern successor to iptables, offering better performance and a more maintainable codebase for future development.
The containerd runtime has been updated to version 1.6.20. This keeps the container ecosystem in sync with the latest stable releases from the community, ensuring compatibility and access to recent fixes.
What's different about the installer?
The new Subiquity-based installer is now the default for all desktop installations. It's a modern, fast, and reliable installer that was previously used only for server and automated installations.
This change unifies the installation experience across all flavors of Ubuntu. The new installer is also better at handling advanced partitioning scenarios like LVM and RAID compared to the old Ubiquity installer.
FAQ
Is Python 2 still available in Ubuntu 23.04?
No. Python 2 was completely removed from the Ubuntu 23.04 archives. You must use Python 3.11 or later, or manage your own Python 2 environment through other means like containers.
Can I upgrade directly from Ubuntu 22.04 LTS to 23.04?
Yes, you can upgrade directly from Ubuntu 22.04 LTS to 23.04 using the do-release-upgrade command. Remember that 23.04 is a standard release with 9 months of support, not an LTS.
What happened to the Ubuntu Desktop Installer (Ubiquity)?
It has been replaced by the new Subiquity installer. The Subiquity installer is now the default for the desktop ISO, providing a more modern and reliable installation experience.
Does the new kernel support my Intel Arc GPU?
Yes, Linux kernel 6.2 includes initial graphics support for Intel Arc Graphics (DG2/Alchemist) GPUs. You should get basic display functionality, but for full performance, you may still need to use a more recent kernel or updated Mesa drivers.
Why did the cloud images switch to nftables?
Nftables is the modern replacement for iptables. The switch provides better performance, simpler configuration management, and ensures Ubuntu is using the upstream-supported firewall framework for the future.