AerynOS has released a new ISO snapshot, AerynOS 2026.02, showcasing a host of updates and enhancements. This independent GNU/Linux distribution now comes equipped with the long-term supported Linux 6.18.15 LTS kernel.
The distribution’s live ISO features the latest GNOME 49.4 desktop environment as the default, while also providing support for the KDE Plasma 6.6 environment. A noteworthy change is the adoption of KDE’s new Plasma Login Manager as the default login manager during installation with the Lichen installer, though SDDM remains available as an alternative.
Additionally, AerynOS now supports System76’s COSMIC 1.0.8 desktop environment, which has been updated to allow users to copy the current path in the COSMIC Files manager easily. This release also addresses potential freezing issues with VLC related to COSMIC Applets and improves the Recents actions cleanup in COSMIC Files.
The AerynOS development team mentioned that they are consistently packaging and rolling out these point releases and report no known regressions or bugs associated with the Cosmic Desktop Environment, ensuring a smooth user experience.
This latest release includes several major updates to default applications, such as Firefox 148, Mesa 26.0.1, PipeWire 1.6, QEMU 10.2.1, and Mozilla Thunderbird 148.
AerynOS 2026.02 also introduces a new "Console-only" installation option that ensures basic Wi-Fi connectivity by including all necessary packages. This option complements the existing "Headless Install" meant for server-type setups using Ethernet.
For additional information about the release, visit the release announcement page. Users interested in testing AerynOS can download the latest ISO from the official website but should note that the distribution is currently in alpha quality, making it unsuitable for production use.