Lubuntu 26.04 LTS – Official ISO Download, LXQt 2.3

Mike Holbrook

April 27, 2026

Lubuntu 26.04 LTS Resolute Raccoon is available to download now from Canonical’s official image server. This long-term support release ships with LXQt 2.3 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.

Released April 23, 2026 · LTS · 30th Release

Download Lubuntu 26.04 LTS
Resolute Raccoon

Ubuntu with the lightweight LXQt 2.3 desktop. Free to use. Supported until April 2029.

Kernel: Linux 7.0

Desktop: LXQt 2.3

Support: Until April 2029

Based on: Ubuntu 26.04

⬇ Download Lubuntu 26.04 All Download Options

What You Need to Know

• Free to download and use, forever

• 3-year free support until April 2029

• LXQt 2.3 – lightweight, improved Wayland support

• Linux kernel 7.0

• Good fit for older and low-spec hardware

• First Ubuntu LTS with Rust coreutils and sudo-rs

• New Fancy Menu application launcher

• Full access to Ubuntu software repositories

What Is Lubuntu?

Lubuntu is the official Ubuntu flavor that uses the LXQt desktop environment. LXQt is designed to run on less RAM and CPU than GNOME or KDE Plasma, which makes Lubuntu a practical choice for older computers, low-spec machines, or anyone who wants a desktop that stays out of the way.

Lubuntu 26.04 is also a milestone: it is the 30th release of the project and the 16th to ship LXQt as the default desktop. Under the hood it is the first Ubuntu LTS to include Rust-based coreutils and sudo-rs, giving the core system a more modern and memory-safe foundation.

Lubuntu shares the same Ubuntu base, the same software repositories, and the same security update schedule as standard Ubuntu. You get a familiar apt-based system with a lighter desktop on top.

Download Lubuntu 26.04 LTS

The link below goes directly to cdimage.ubuntu.com, Canonical’s official image server for Ubuntu flavors.

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Lubuntu 26.04 LTS (AMD64) Recommended

For: Most users – Intel & AMD 64-bit PCs and laptops
Size: ~3.6 GB
Includes: Full LXQt desktop with default apps

⬇ Direct Download ⇅ Torrent

Note: If the direct ISO link does not load immediately, go to cdimage.ubuntu.com/lubuntu/releases/26.04/release/ and download from the file listing. The SHA256SUMS file is also available there.

What’s New in Lubuntu 26.04

The headline update is LXQt 2.3, released in November 2025. It brings meaningful improvements to Wayland support, the file manager, and the application menu. For the full changelog, see the official Lubuntu 26.04 release notes.

Fancy Menu

Lubuntu now ships with the improved Fancy Menu application launcher by default. It replaces the older classic menu and offers a more organised layout, making it easier to find applications without scrolling through a flat list.

Wayland Improvements

LXQt 2.3 adds screenshot support under Wayland compositors that support the wlr screencopy protocol, including Hyprland and Sway. The LXQt panel and power management also gained improved Wayland integration.

File Manager Updates

The file manager adds a “Safely Remove” option in the side pane context menu for external drives and a new “Extract Here” option for archive files. The LXImage-Qt image viewer also picks up support for animated WebP images.

Rust Core System

Lubuntu 26.04 is the first LTS to ship with Rust-based coreutils and sudo-rs, replacing many traditional GNU tools with memory-safe Rust rewrites. This was introduced in Ubuntu 25.10 and now carries forward into the first LTS release.

Known issues in 26.04: KWallet and KWalletManager are installed by default in this release instead of gnome-keyring – this is a packaging issue being tracked by the Lubuntu team. Alacritty terminal is also installed alongside QTerminal. Neither issue affects general desktop use, but you may notice both apps in your application menu.

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.

Download the SHA256SUMS fileGo to cdimage.ubuntu.com/lubuntu/releases/26.04/release/ and save the SHA256SUMS file to the same folder as your ISO.

Run the checksumOn Linux or macOS:

sha256sum lubuntu-26.04-desktop-amd64.iso

On Windows (PowerShell):

Get-FileHash lubuntu-26.04-desktop-amd64.iso -Algorithm SHA256

Compare the outputThe string of characters must match the value in the SHA256SUMS file exactly. If even one character differs, the file is corrupted. Delete it and download again.

How to Install Lubuntu 26.04

Once you have the ISO, the process is the same as any Ubuntu flavor.

Write the ISO to a USB driveUse Rufus on Windows or Balena Etcher on macOS and Linux. Both are free. Select the ISO file and your USB drive, then write. All data on the USB will be erased.

Boot from the USB driveRestart your computer and boot from the USB. On most machines you press F12, F2, or Del during startup to open the boot menu. Select the USB drive from the list.

Try or installThe Lubuntu welcome screen gives you two options: try Lubuntu without installing, or start the installation. Choose “Try Lubuntu” first if you want to test compatibility with your hardware before committing.

Follow the graphical installerThe installer will walk you through language, keyboard layout, disk setup, and user account creation. Most users can complete the install in under 20 minutes on a reasonably fast machine.

System Requirements

LXQt uses fewer resources than GNOME or KDE Plasma. Lubuntu runs well on hardware that other desktops would struggle with.

Minimum

CPU: 1 GHz dual-core processor
RAM: 2 GB
Storage: 15 GB free disk space
Display: 1024 x 768
USB: 8 GB for installation media

Recommended

CPU: 4-core 64-bit processor
RAM: 4 GB or more
Storage: 30 GB SSD
Display: 1920 x 1080
GPU: Works with most modern and older graphics cards

Ready to Install?

Get Lubuntu 26.04 LTS Now

Free. Open source. LXQt 2.3. Supported until April 2029.

⬇ Download Lubuntu 26.04 All Editions & Options

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I try Lubuntu 26.04 without installing it?

Yes. When you boot from the USB installer, choose “Try Lubuntu” on the welcome screen. This loads a live version 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.

Will my old software still work on Lubuntu 26.04?

Most software continues to work. Lubuntu 26.04 includes a compatibility layer called XWayland so older apps generally open without any changes. A small number of screen recording or remote desktop tools may need updates from their developers.

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 get 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 Lubuntu 26.04 inside a virtual machine?

Yes. Lubuntu 26.04 works well inside VirtualBox, VMware, and GNOME Boxes. Use the AMD64 ISO for Intel and AMD host machines. LXQt’s low resource usage makes it one of the best choices for a virtual machine with limited RAM allocation.

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 Lubuntu 26.04 free to use on a business computer?

Yes. Lubuntu 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 Lubuntu different from standard Ubuntu?

Lubuntu uses the LXQt desktop environment instead of GNOME. LXQt uses significantly less RAM and CPU than GNOME, which makes Lubuntu a practical choice for older computers or anyone who wants a faster, more responsive desktop on modest hardware. It shares the same Ubuntu base, security updates, and software repositories as standard Ubuntu.

More Lubuntu 26.04 guides: What’s New in Lubuntu 26.04 · Upgrade to Lubuntu 26.04 · Lubuntu 26.04 Wallpapers · Kubuntu 26.04 Download · Xubuntu 26.04 Download