Ubuntu 26.10 Snapshot 3 released with official WSL images

Canonical has released the third development snapshot for Ubuntu 26.10, codenamed ‘Stonking Stingray’. This milestone includes 35 automated images across desktop, server, and preinstalled categories.

A significant update in this release is the inclusion of official Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) builds directly within the standard release tree. Previously, WSL builds were managed through a separate pipeline focused on Microsoft partnerships. By integrating them into the main cdimage server and automation workflow, Canonical aims to ensure that Ubuntu versions running on Windows remain perfectly synchronized with upstream updates.

The development stack for this snapshot features Linux kernel 7.0, GNOME 50.1, glibc 2.44, and GCC 15.2. To improve reliability, Canonical is transitioning its release machinery from manual processes to a new automated pipeline built using Go and Temporal. These snapshots are intended as testable, disposable artifacts to identify regressions before the Beta phase, which is expected in late September.