Ubuntu 26.10 is a free download from Canonical’s release server. Grab the desktop ISO below, check its SHA256, write it to a USB stick and boot from it. Already on 26.04? You can upgrade in place instead.
Below: which ISO to pick, the direct and torrent links, how to verify the file, system requirements, and whether 26.10 or 26.04 LTS is the better fit. If something here does not match what you see, leave a comment or contact us.
Download and Install Ubuntu 26.10 in 4 Steps
You need the ISO file, a USB stick of 8 GB or more, and about 30 minutes.
Ubuntu 26.10 or 26.04 LTS?
26.10 is an interim release. It gets the newest desktop and kernel, and nine months of updates. 26.04 LTS gets five years.
| Ubuntu 26.10 | Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | |
|---|---|---|
| Support ends | July 2027 | April 2031 |
| Desktop | GNOME 51 | GNOME 50 |
| Kernel | Linux 7.3 | Linux 7.0 |
| Next step | Upgrade to 27.04 before July 2027 | Stay put, or move to 28.04 LTS in 2028 |
| Best for | New hardware, testing, people who like the latest | Work machines and anything you want to leave alone |
If you would rather stay on the long-term release, download Ubuntu 26.04 LTS instead.
System Requirements
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 2 GHz dual-core, 64-bit | 4-core, 64-bit |
| Memory | 4 GB | 8 GB or more |
| Storage | 25 GB free | 50 GB on an SSD |
| USB stick | 8 GB | 16 GB |
Graphics: Intel and AMD work out of the box. NVIDIA cards need the driver from App Center or the terminal.
What Is New in Ubuntu 26.10
- GNOME 51, with a Reduced Motion setting, remembered screen brightness and automatic screen rotation on convertibles.
- A tiling layout picker. Drag a window and a strip of layouts slides in at the top of the screen.
- Drivers in App Center, under Add-ons > Additional drivers, with a choice of NVIDIA driver branch.
- Linux 7.3, with early support for Snapdragon X2 Elite laptops and AMD Zen 6.
- Rust core utilities throughout: cp, mv and rm were the last GNU ones and are now replaced.
The full list, with screenshots, is in Ubuntu 26.10 new features.
Known Issues at Release
Canonical lists these in the release notes. Check before you install on the affected hardware.
| Hardware | Problem |
|---|---|
| Snapdragon X2 Elite laptops | The keyboard may not work, including in the live installer. Use a USB keyboard. |
| Intel AX211 Wi-Fi | Firmware crashes and dropped connections. Under investigation. |
| AMD laptops with two GPUs | The display may freeze when panel self-refresh is active. |
| Intel IPU webcams | Some cameras miss firmware at early boot. One Dell model has a suspend problem. |
Helpful Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ubuntu 26.10 an LTS release?
No. It is an interim release with nine months of updates, until July 2027. The current LTS is Ubuntu 26.04, supported until April 2031.
Should I install Ubuntu 26.10 or 26.04?
Pick 26.04 LTS for a work machine or anything you want to set up once and leave. Pick 26.10 if you want GNOME 51 and Linux 7.3 now and do not mind upgrading again in 2027.
Can I try Ubuntu 26.10 without installing it?
Yes. Boot from the USB stick and choose Try or Install Ubuntu. The desktop runs from the stick and nothing on your disk changes until you start the installer.
Does Ubuntu 26.10 work with older NVIDIA cards?
Yes. The 580 driver is still available and covers the GTX 900 and 10 series. The newer 615 driver only ships open kernel modules, which need a GTX 16 or RTX card.
Can I upgrade from Ubuntu 26.04 instead of reinstalling?
Yes. Switch the release prompt from lts to normal, then run sudo do-release-upgrade. Your files and apps stay where they are.
Is Ubuntu 26.10 free?
Yes. It is free to download, install and use on as many computers as you like, at home or at work.
Keep your files and apps. Five steps and about an hour.
More Ubuntu 26.10 guides: Upgrade to Ubuntu 26.10 · Ubuntu 26.10 New Features · Download Ubuntu 26.04 LTS · Things to Do After Installing Ubuntu
