Ubuntu Budgie 26.04 LTS Resolute Raccoon is available to download now from Canonical’s official image server. This long-term support release ships with Budgie Desktop 10.10.2 and Linux kernel 7.0, and receives free security updates until April 2029. Below you will find the direct ISO link, torrent option, SHA256 verification steps, and system requirements.
Resolute Raccoon
Ubuntu with the Budgie desktop. Clean, elegant, Wayland-native. Free to use. Supported until April 2029.
What Is Ubuntu Budgie?
Ubuntu Budgie is the official Ubuntu flavor that uses the Budgie desktop environment. Budgie was built to be clean and purposeful – it gives you a traditional desktop layout with a top panel, an application menu with favorites built in, and a side panel called Raven that handles notifications, widgets, and quick settings.
Ubuntu Budgie 26.04 is a landmark release. It is the first LTS version built entirely on Wayland, with Budgie Desktop 10.10.2 running on the labwc compositor. The X11 session is gone. This closes out a decade of Budgie 10 development and sets the stage for the project’s next major version, Budgie 11.
It shares the same Ubuntu base, software repositories, and security update schedule as standard Ubuntu. You get a familiar apt-based system with a distinctly different desktop on top.
Download Ubuntu Budgie 26.04 LTS
The link below goes directly to cdimage.ubuntu.com, Canonical’s official image server for Ubuntu flavors. Ubuntu Budgie 26.04 is available as a single AMD64 desktop ISO only.
Size: ~3.8 GB
Desktop: Budgie 10.10.2 on Wayland
What’s New in Ubuntu Budgie 26.04
The headline change is the completion of Budgie’s move to Wayland. Budgie Desktop 10.10.2 runs on the labwc compositor – a wlroots-based compositor focused on correctness and stability. X11 is gone. Everything runs through Wayland or the XWayland compatibility layer for older apps. For the full changelog, see the official Ubuntu Budgie 26.04 release notes.
Ubuntu Budgie 26.04 ships with no X11 session. The desktop runs entirely on Wayland via the labwc compositor. Screen sharing, screenshots, and display configuration all use modern Wayland portals and tools. Most applications work as normal through XWayland.
Crystal Dock is now enabled and configured by default. It is a macOS-style dock for launching and switching applications. In 26.04 it includes Wayland-specific fixes and improved startup sequencing so it loads reliably on first boot.
A new Screencast applet ships in 26.04. It handles full-screen or area recording with optional audio capture, start/stop controls directly from the panel, and a live recording duration display. No third-party screen recorder needed for basic use.
The top bar has been reworked for the 26.04 layout. App favorites now appear directly inside the Applications Menu. Showtime is delivered as a Raven widget. Power options are available straight from the menu. The overall layout feels more settled and deliberate than previous releases.
sudo apt install ubuntu-budgie-desktop), apply all current updates, and reboot. Back up your data and disable any third-party PPAs. Some X11-dependent applets and tools are not present in 26.04 – check the release notes for the full list of removed components.How to Verify Your Download (SHA256)
Always verify your ISO before writing it to a USB drive. This confirms the file downloaded completely and was not corrupted.
SHA256SUMS file to the same folder as your ISO.Run the checksumOn Linux or macOS:
sha256sum ubuntu-budgie-26.04-desktop-amd64.iso
On Windows (PowerShell):
Get-FileHash ubuntu-budgie-26.04-desktop-amd64.iso -Algorithm SHA256
How to Install Ubuntu Budgie 26.04
Once you have the ISO, the process is the same as any Ubuntu flavor.
System Requirements
Minimum and recommended specs for running Ubuntu Budgie 26.04. The Ubuntu Budgie team lists 4 GB RAM as the minimum for a comfortable experience.
- CPU: 2.4 GHz dual-core processor
- RAM: 4 GB
- Storage: 60 GB free disk space
- Display: 1024 x 768
- USB: 8 GB for installation media
- CPU: 4-core 64-bit processor
- RAM: 8 GB or more
- Storage: 60 GB SSD
- Display: 1920 x 1080
- GPU: Works with most modern graphics cards
Free. Open source. Budgie Desktop 10.10.2. Supported until April 2029.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I try Ubuntu Budgie 26.04 without installing it?
Yes. When you boot from the USB installer, choose “Try Ubuntu Budgie” on the welcome screen. This loads a live session directly from the USB drive without touching your hard disk. You can test it as long as you like, then restart to return to your current system.
Does Ubuntu Budgie 26.04 still support X11?
No. Ubuntu Budgie 26.04 is Wayland-only. The X11 session has been removed entirely. All applications run through Wayland or through XWayland, a compatibility layer that handles older apps automatically in the background. Most everyday software is unaffected.
What is the difference between an LTS release and a regular Ubuntu release?
LTS stands for Long Term Support. Canonical releases a new version of Ubuntu every 6 months, but only the LTS versions receive multi-year security updates. Regular releases are only supported for 9 months. For most people on a work or home computer, LTS is the right choice.
Can I run Ubuntu Budgie 26.04 inside a virtual machine?
Yes, with some caveats. QEMU/KVM works best and is the recommended option. VirtualBox can be used but graphics will not be hardware-accelerated, so video and animations will feel sluggish. GNOME Boxes is not recommended due to limited configuration options for Wayland guests.
How do I create a bootable USB from the ISO file?
On Windows, use Rufus and select the ISO file. On macOS or Linux, use Balena Etcher. Both are free. Select your USB drive carefully as all data on it will be erased during the process.
Is Ubuntu Budgie 26.04 free to use on a business computer?
Yes. Ubuntu Budgie is free to download, install, and use on as many computers as you like, including in a business. There is no license fee.
What makes Ubuntu Budgie different from standard Ubuntu?
Ubuntu Budgie uses the Budgie desktop environment instead of GNOME. Budgie has a cleaner, more traditional layout – a top panel, an application menu, and a side panel called Raven for notifications and widgets. It feels less busy than GNOME and is more consistent in its design. It shares the same Ubuntu base, security updates, and software repositories as standard Ubuntu.
More Ubuntu Budgie 26.04 guides: What’s New in Ubuntu Budgie 26.04 · Upgrade to Ubuntu Budgie 26.04 · Ubuntu Budgie 26.04 Wallpapers · Kubuntu 26.04 Download · Lubuntu 26.04 Download
