Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS released with updated kernel and hardware support

Canonical has released Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS, the fifth maintenance update for the Noble Numbat long-term support release. This update focuses on stability, security, and improved hardware support rather than introducing major new features.

For desktop users, the update includes a transition to the Linux kernel 7.0 via the Hardware Enablement (HWE) stack, which aims to provide better support for newer hardware. Graphics support has also been updated with Mesa 26.2, benefiting systems with modern AMD and Intel solutions.

Technical improvements include updated toolchains such as GCC 14, Python 3.12, glibc 2.39, and Rust 1.75. Security enhancements feature hardened defaults that disable legacy TLS versions and restrict unprivileged user namespaces. Server administrators will find updated versions of Apache, Kea, and libvirt, along with a reintroduced ZFS installer option.

The update is available for the main Ubuntu release as well as official flavors including Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Ubuntu MATE, Lubuntu, and Ubuntu Studio. Standard security coverage for this LTS version continues through May 2029, with extended support available via Ubuntu Pro.