Noble Numbat's final scheduled pit stop

Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS released with Linux 7.0

The fifth (and final) point release of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is available to download.

Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS delivers refreshed installation media (ISOs) that includes the software updates, bug fixes and security patches released since the last ISO was produced. This cuts down on the number of updates that need to be downloaded post-install.

More important than that, this release runs on a new hardware enablement (HWE) stack, back-ported from Ubuntu 26.04 LTS.

The 24.04.5 LTS HWE stack brings the Linux 7.0 kernel and updated graphic drivers, plus a few other key hardware-related packages. Existing users already have it; the HWE comes as a software update.

The Ubuntu 24.04.4 LTS release, which landed back in February, boots from Linux kernel 6.17. As Linux 7.0, by virtue of being newer, has better hardware support, using this ISO to boot on newer devices is recommended.

Another change is in how kernel firmware updates get delivered: firmware has been split out into vendor-specific packages that can be independently updated on 24.04, mirroring the way 26.04 LTS packages kernel firmware blobs.

If you’re an existing user running 24.04, you won’t need to download and reinstall anything to get any of the changes mentioned here. The bulk of what’s on the new ISO got installed on your system over the past six months.

But if you don’t see a “24.04.5 LTS” label in Settings > System > About (or on the GRUB boot loader during startup), you can fix that:

• Open Software Updater
• Install the base-files update

The base-files package modifies the version number string system tools read from.

Ubuntu 26.04.1 LTS released a few weeks back. In most cases, that remains the recommended LTS to download for anyone needing a solid, reliable day-to-day Ubuntu desktop experience.

But those who, perhaps, want to keep running GNOME Shell on Xorg/X11 atop an Ubuntu base, or have need for specific packages in the noble archives, will find the new ISOs offer a better jumping-on point.

As with every LTS, the GA kernel (v6.8 for 24.04) stays available to install.

Download Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS

Download Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS for desktop, Raspberry Pi, server, and other devices direct from the Ubuntu website releases page, the main Ubuntu website download page (they link to the same ISO). Ubuntu flavours also have updated media out too.

Long-term support (LTS) versions of Ubuntu are supported for a minimum of 5 years. During the first 3 years, periodical ‘point releases’ are put out. These refresh the install image (ISO) so new users don’t have to download up to 3 years worth of updates after installing.

So Ubuntu 24.04 LTS will continue to receive ongoing support until April 2029. After that, security coverage is provided for a further 5 years via Ubuntu Pro (free to users to sign up to and enable). 

Ubuntu 24.04 users can upgrade to Ubuntu 26.04 LTS officially later this month.