Last checked and updated on 10 Jun 2026
What Is New in Ubuntu 25.04
Ubuntu 25.04, codenamed Noble Numbat, is an interim release packed with the latest updates from the Linux ecosystem. It sets a stable foundation for the next long-term support version.
| Category | Key Updates |
|---|---|
| New Features | GNOME 46, Linux kernel 6.8, Toolchain updates (GCC 14, glibc 2.39) |
| Improvements | Enhanced Microsoft Entra ID integration, Updated installer, New desktop artwork |
| Infrastructure | Transition to Netplan for network configuration, New Azure FIPS offering |
| Deprecated/Removed | Python 2.7 removed, ifupdown deprecated, 32-bit PowerPC support removed |
What's the big deal with GNOME 46?
The headline feature is the integration of GNOME 46. This brings a more polished and functional desktop experience right out of the box.
You get a significantly improved Files app with faster search and a new global search feature. The system settings are better organized, making it easier to find what you need. Under the hood, it also includes better accessibility features and power management for laptops.
How does the kernel upgrade affect my system?
Ubuntu 25.04 ships with Linux kernel 6.8, which delivers support for newer hardware and performance optimizations.
This kernel includes better support for Intel and AMD graphics, including Intel's Xe driver. It also has improvements for Intel Lunar Lake processors and AMD Ryzen AI chips. For developers, this means a smoother experience on the latest hardware platforms.
What toolchain updates should developers expect?
The development toolchain gets a major version bump with GCC 14, glibc 2.39, and the latest releases of Python, Go, Rust, and LLVM.
GCC 14 brings new warnings and optimizations, which is great for catching bugs early but might require a quick pass over your code. The updated language runtimes mean you can use the latest features from Python 3.12, Go 1.22, and Rust 1.76 without needing external PPAs.
Is there anything new for enterprise or cloud deployments?
Yes, the integration with Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) has been significantly enhanced.
This makes it much simpler to join Ubuntu desktop instances to an Entra ID domain directly from the initial setup. For cloud deployments, there's a new FIPS-certified image available on Azure, which is crucial for certain government and financial workloads.
What's changing under the hood for system administration?
The big shift is the continued move away from old utilities. The ifupdown package for network configuration is now deprecated in favor of Netplan.
Netplan offers a cleaner, YAML-based configuration that works across both networkd and NetworkManager. In practice, you should start converting your /etc/network/interfaces files to Netplan configurations to stay current.
FAQ
Is Python 2 still available in Ubuntu 25.04?
No, Python 2.7 has been completely removed from the main archive. If you have legacy applications, you'll need to containerize them or find an alternative. The Python community has been preparing for this for years, so it's time to finalize your migration plans.
Can I upgrade directly from Ubuntu 22.04 LTS to 25.04?
Yes, you can perform a direct upgrade from 22.04 LTS to 25.04. However, since 25.04 is an interim release, most production systems on 22.04 LTS should wait for the 24.04.1 point release before upgrading to the next LTS for maximum stability.
What happened to 32-bit PowerPC (powerpc) support?
The 32-bit PowerPC (powerpc) architecture port has been removed. Ubuntu now only supports the 64-bit Little Endian PowerPC (ppc64el) architecture for POWER systems. This aligns with the hardware industry's move away from 32-bit.
How do I handle the ifupdown to Netplan transition?
If you have custom network configs in /etc/network/interfaces, you need to convert them to Netplan's YAML format in /etc/netplan/. The netplan tool provides utilities to help with this migration. After converting, test thoroughly in a non-production environment.
Where can I get the new Azure FIPS image?
The FIPS-certified image for Azure is available directly from the Azure marketplace. This image includes a FIPS-validated cryptographic module, which is essential for environments with strict federal compliance requirements like those following NIST guidelines.