Canonical has released Ubuntu 23.10, codenamed Mantic Minotaur, to the public. The new release of the Linux distribution introduces a large number of changes, including:
- Linux kernel 6.5: The new kernel includes a number of important changes, such as ACPI support on RISC-V, support for Intel’s Topology Aware Register and PM Capsule Interface, which promises better power-management, and special memory permissions on ARM64.
- Ubuntu App Center: The new App Center replaces the Snap Store as the default app store for Ubuntu.
- Standalone Firmware Updater: A new standalone firmware updater application is now included, making it easier to update the firmware on your devices.
- TMP-backed full-disk encryption: Ubuntu 23.10 now supports TPM-backed full-disk encryption, which can provide additional layers of security for your data.
- ZFS guided installations: Support for ZFS guided installations has been reintroduced.
- ADSys Active Directory Certificates auto-enrollment: ADSys Active Directory Certificates auto-enrollment is now included, making it easier to connect to corporate Wi-Fi and VPN networks.
- GNOME 45: Ubuntu 23.10 includes the GNOME 45 desktop environment, which features a number of new features and improvements.
- Updated apps: The included apps, Firefox, LibreOffice, and Thunderbird, have been updated to the latest versions.
- Classic Ubuntu fonts: The fonts-ubuntu-classic package may be installed to use the fonts used in earlier Ubuntu versions.
Other notable changes in Ubuntu 23.10 include:
- The Network Manager now uses Netplan as the default settings-storage backend.
- The default installation type for Ubuntu Desktop installations is now minimal.
- Support for new hardware, including the Raspberry Pi 6, has been added.
- Ubuntu 23.10 will be supported for nine months, until July 2024.
Upgrading to Ubuntu 23.10
Existing Ubuntu desktop users may receive prompts when the upgrade is available. These prompts should be displayed a few days after the official release announcement. Users may speed this up by checking for updates manually.
It is recommended to run the following commands to make sure that software is up to date before proceeding with the installation of the new Ubuntu version:
” sudo apt update sudo apt upgrade “
Once done, run the Software Updater, which you find in the application menu. Note that you may make a change in the application’s configuration in order to get interim release (those ending with *.10) upgrade prompts.
Select the Updates tab in the preferences and switch “notify me of a new Ubuntu version” to “for any new version”.
If you encounter any issues after upgrading to Ubuntu 23.10, please consult the release notes or contact the Ubuntu community for support.