Last checked and updated on 10 Jun 2026
What Is New in Ubuntu 7.04
Ubuntu 7.04, codenamed Feisty Fawn, brings significant updates to the desktop experience, migration tools, and underlying infrastructure. This release focuses on making desktop transitions easier and embracing new hardware support.
| Category | Key Changes |
|---|---|
| New Features | Windows Migration Assistant, KVM virtualization, Easy Codec Installation |
| Desktop & UI | GNOME 2.18, Network Manager improvements, Desktop Effects |
| Hardware Support | Enhanced laptop support, iPod integration, WPA wireless configuration |
| Infrastructure | GCC 4.1, PHP 5.2, Python 2.5 |
| Deprecated | Nautilus-cd-burner, Grip |
How does the Windows migration tool work?
The migration assistant imports user data from a Windows partition during Ubuntu installation. It pulls bookmarks, documents, and other personal files, making the switch from Windows much less painful for new users.
In practice, it detects existing Windows installations and offers to copy the user's Documents, Favorites, and other key data. This was a major step forward for desktop adoption, lowering the barrier to entry significantly.
What virtualization options are included?
Feisty integrated Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) for the first time. This provided a full virtualization solution for systems with hardware virtualization extensions (Intel VT or AMD-V).
KVM was a big deal because it turned the Linux kernel itself into a hypervisor. For developers, this meant native performance for guest operating systems without the overhead of traditional emulation.
Is multimedia support better in this release?
Yes, the controversial codec installation process was streamlined. Instead of hunting for packages, users got a prompt to download necessary codecs when attempting to play restricted media formats.
This approach balanced legal requirements with user convenience. It automatically configured apt to pull from the appropriate repositories, which was much cleaner than the previous manual process.
What about desktop visual effects?
Feisty introduced experimental Desktop Effects powered by Compiz, providing window wobbling, smooth minimization, and other eye candy. This required supported graphics hardware with proprietary drivers in most cases.
While flashy, this was early days for desktop compositing. The real value was in testing the XGL/AIGLX infrastructure that would later become standard for modern Linux desktop environments.
How was wireless networking improved?
Network Manager received significant updates for better wireless management, particularly for laptops. The biggest change was proper WPA support, which had been problematic in previous releases.
This mattered because it made Ubuntu actually usable on the go. The improved applet made switching between wireless networks and managing connections much more intuitive for everyday use.
FAQ
Does Ubuntu 7.04 support 64-bit processors?
Yes, Feisty Fawn maintained full support for both 32-bit (i386) and 64-bit (amd64) architectures across all flavors.
Can I upgrade directly from Ubuntu 6.10?
Yes, standard upgrade paths were available from both Ubuntu 6.06 LTS and 6.10 using the update manager or apt-get dist-upgrade.
What happened to the server edition in this release?
The server edition continued with updated packages but didn't receive the same flashy features as the desktop. Focus remained on stability with updated versions of Apache, MySQL, and other server software.
Is this a long-term support (LTS) release?
No, Ubuntu 7.04 was a standard release with 18 months of support. The previous LTS was 6.06, and the next would be 8.04.
How do I enable the new Desktop Effects?
You needed to install proprietary graphics drivers (Nvidia or ATI) and then enable Desktop Effects from the Appearance preferences panel. Support for open-source drivers was limited.