Canonical is officially making the transition from Ubuntu 24.04 LTS to Ubuntu 26.04 LTS available. This coincides with the release of Ubuntu 26.04.1 LTS. The first point release primarily includes previously released updates and security patches, but for many business users, it marks the start of the migration to the latest LTS generation.
Ubuntu 26.04 LTS was released back in April, but Canonical did not immediately offer users of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS the standard upgrade option. According to Neowin, this was a deliberate decision. For LTS versions, Canonical typically waits until the first point release before users of the previous LTS version can automatically migrate to the new generation.
This gives developers a few months to fix issues that come to light after the initial release. This is particularly relevant for organizations that choose a Long-Term Support version for its extended support and emphasis on stability.
Technically, upgrading from 24.04 to 26.04 was already possible earlier. Users could adjust the upgrade settings to install the new version sooner. With Ubuntu 26.04.1, such a workaround is no longer necessary, and the upgrade is now offered through the standard upgrade mechanism.
Bundled updates
Ubuntu 26.04.1 is also an updated installation version of the operating system. Canonical has incorporated updates released since the launch of Ubuntu 26.04 LTS in April. As a result, anyone reinstalling Ubuntu now will need to download fewer packages and patches after installation.
For existing Ubuntu 26.04 LTS users, little has changed. They do not need to download the new ISO image or reinstall their system. The same updates will be delivered via the regular update mechanism. Existing Ubuntu 26.04 installation media also remain usable, although more updates will need to be downloaded after installation.
Nor should users expect new functionality from 26.04.1. The point release primarily consolidates patches and security updates that have become available since April.
However, Canonical is expanding the availability of installation images. Ubuntu 26.04.1 is available as an ISO image for Raspberry Pi, Arm64, and RISC-V, among others. Not all of these variants were available when Ubuntu 26.04 LTS was released in April.
New hardware stack coming later
Ubuntu 26.04.1 does not yet include a new hardware enablement stack (HWE). Canonical uses this stack to provide LTS releases with newer Linux kernels and graphics components throughout their lifecycle, ensuring that hardware released after the original release is also well supported.
Such a new stack is not yet available for 26.04.1 because, since the introduction of Ubuntu 26.04, no subsequent regular Ubuntu release has been published from which the relevant components could be incorporated. The first updated HWE stack is therefore expected with Ubuntu 26.04.2 LTS.
In the meantime, users of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS have no immediate need to migrate. That version will continue to receive updates as part of Canonical’s regular LTS support through 2029. Organizations can therefore plan their transition to 26.04 LTS based on their own applications, hardware, and management environment. With the release of 26.04.1, Canonical’s recommended migration path is now open.