Canonical has released new updates for users of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat), incorporating the Linux 6.17 kernel and Mesa 25.2 graphics stack. This update comes from the upcoming Ubuntu 24.04.4 LTS, which is scheduled for release on February 12, 2026.
This long-term supported version (LTS), which debuted in April 2024, will continue to offer software updates and security patches for a minimum of five years, with regular point releases every six months. The forthcoming point release, Ubuntu 24.04.4 LTS, is expected to enhance hardware support by including the latest kernels and graphics stacks.
The update to Linux 6.17 and Mesa 25.2 positions users for improved performance and compatibility with newer hardware available today. Canonical’s intention is to deliver these updates seamlessly to existing Ubuntu 24.04 LTS users, meaning many will receive these enhancements in advance of the official point release.
The previous point release, Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS, launched with Linux kernel 6.14 and Mesa 25.0, both of which were derived from the Ubuntu 25.04 (Plucky Puffin) release that reached its end of life on January 15, 2026. Users wanting to take advantage of the new features, security improvements, and bug fixes are encouraged to perform system updates immediately.
For those not yet seeing the updates, changing to main servers for repository access in the Software & Updates utility can facilitate the new kernel and graphics installations. Alternatively, users can manually install the linux-generic-hwe-24.04 kernel package.
It’s also vital for users with third-party kernel modules to rebuild these after updating to ensure continued functionality—an example being sound drivers for MacBook Pro systems that have benefited from the update to kernel 6.17.
To stay informed, users can explore more about Ubuntu 24.04 LTS here, and they can find details about the upcoming Ubuntu 25.10 (Questing Quokka) here.