Ubuntu: The Complete Guide

Ubuntu is a free Linux distribution published by Canonical and built from Debian packages, with a new version every six months and a long-term support (LTS) release every second April. It has kept that rhythm since October 2004, and the same release runs on desktops, servers, cloud instances and Windows through WSL.

This page is the starting point for everything tuxai.dev has published about Ubuntu. It covers the key facts, which version and flavor to pick, how long each release is supported, and links to every Ubuntu guide on the site. Versions, dates and requirements were checked against ubuntu.com, the official release notes, releases.ubuntu.com and packages.ubuntu.com on 14 October 2026.

Ubuntu at a glance

Two changes surprise people moving from 24.04: the GNOME session no longer runs on Xorg (X11 apps still work through XWayland), and sudo now comes from sudo-rs, a Rust rewrite. The original is kept as sudo.ws.

Ubuntu guides on tuxai.dev

New to Ubuntu? Start with the install guide.

Install and set up

Developers and servers

News

Which Ubuntu should you install?

Install Ubuntu 26.04 LTS unless you have a reason not to. It gets security updates until May 2031 without paying anything, and Canonical itself recommends LTS releases for production machines.

LTS or interim?

An interim release such as 26.10 brings newer kernels, toolchains and desktop versions, but each one is maintained for only nine months, so you have to upgrade twice a year to stay supported. Pick it for a test machine or very new hardware. For anything you want to leave alone for years, stay on the LTS.

If you are on an older system, note the upgrade path: from 22.04 LTS or 25.04 you have to move to 24.04 LTS or 25.10 first, and only then to 26.04.

Desktop or server?

The desktop image comes with GNOME and a graphical installer. The server image installs no graphical interface and needs far less hardware, from 1.5 GB of RAM. Our LEMP guide and Docker guide work on either.

To try Ubuntu without touching your disk, run it in a virtual machine with our VirtualBox guide. To keep Windows, follow the dual boot guide for Windows 11.

Official Ubuntu flavors

A flavor is Ubuntu with another desktop or another set of default apps. It shares the Ubuntu archive, but a community team maintains it and its support period can differ. ubuntu.com lists ten:

The 26.04 release notes suggest Xubuntu or Lubuntu for machines with 2 GB of RAM, below what the main desktop needs. If you already run Ubuntu and only want Plasma, you do not need to reinstall: our KDE Plasma guide adds it next to GNOME.

Distributions based on Ubuntu

Several popular distributions start from Ubuntu and change the desktop and defaults. Linux Mint is a common first choice for beginners, with Cinnamon as its main desktop. Pop!_OS is made by System76 and offers a separate ISO with the NVIDIA driver included. Zorin OS is designed to make Linux look and behave like the Windows or macOS desktop you already know. If you would rather go to the source that Ubuntu is built from, read our Debian 13 install guide, or browse all Linux distros we cover.

Ubuntu release and support timeline

Each LTS gets five years of free standard support. Ubuntu Pro stretches it to ten years (no charge for personal use on as many as five machines), and a paid Legacy add-on adds five more. Interim releases get nine months and no extension.

To see which release a machine is running, and to bring it up to date:

# show the release and codename
cat /etc/os-release

# refresh the package lists and install updates
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Troubleshooting Ubuntu: Common Questions

Is Ubuntu free?

Yes. You can download, install and use Ubuntu at no cost, at home or in a company, and LTS releases get five years of security updates without a subscription. Canonical sells support and longer maintenance, and even Ubuntu Pro costs nothing for personal use on as many as five machines.

Which Ubuntu version is LTS right now?

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS "Resolute Raccoon" is the current LTS, released on 23 April 2026, with 26.04.1 as its latest point release. The previous LTS, 24.04, is still supported until May 2029.

How long is Ubuntu 26.04 supported?

Standard security maintenance runs until May 2031 according to Canonical's release cycle page (the 26.04 release notes say April 2031). With Ubuntu Pro it extends to May 2036, and the Legacy add-on reaches May 2041.

Has Ubuntu 26.10 been released?

Yes. Ubuntu 26.10 "Stonking Stingray" was released on 15 October 2026 and the final images are on releases.ubuntu.com. Like every interim release, it is supported for nine months, until July 2027.

Should I install apps with snap or apt?

Use apt for system tools, libraries and anything from the Ubuntu archive, and snap when you want an app that updates on its own schedule, independently of the system. Snaps can run confined or in "classic" mode with wider access, so stick to verified publishers. Our Snap vs Flatpak vs AppImage comparison covers the trade-offs, and you can list installed snaps with snap list.

Where is Software & Updates in Ubuntu 26.04?

Ubuntu Desktop 26.04 no longer installs it by default, but the package is still in the repositories. Run sudo apt install software-properties-gtk to get the old window for repositories and drivers back.

Is Ubuntu good for beginners?

Yes. The graphical installer, the App Center and the size of the community make it one of the easiest places to start. Check the 6 GB RAM requirement first. On an older PC, Xubuntu, Lubuntu or Linux Mint may suit it better.

Sources

• Ubuntu release cycle on ubuntu.com (support dates, interim and LTS policy, Ubuntu Pro, deb and snap packages, architectures)
• About Ubuntu (history, first release in October 2004, Canonical's role)
• Download Ubuntu Desktop (26.04.1 image sizes and system requirements)
• Ubuntu flavors on ubuntu.com
• Ubuntu 26.04 LTS release notes, its summary for LTS users and release schedule
• Release notes and schedules for 26.10, 25.10, 25.04 and 24.10
• releases.ubuntu.com (current releases, 26.04 images and 26.10 images)
• packages.ubuntu.com for resolute: linux-generic, gnome-shell and systemd-sysv