Gnome 51 · October 2, 2026 · 2 min read

Ubuntu 26.10 Beta Launches with Linux Kernel 7.3 and GNOME 51: What You Need to Know

The beta version of Ubuntu 26.10, codenamed Stonking Stingray, has been released for download, a week later than scheduled. This beta version is based on the Linux 7.3 kernel and features the new GNOME 51 desktop.

While beta builds are not guaranteed to be completely stable, they offer a more reliable testing environment than earlier snapshots. Users and developers are encouraged to explore this beta version and report any bugs to ensure timely fixes ahead of the final stable release on October 15, 2026.

Key Features in Ubuntu 26.10

Desktop & Apps

The new GNOME 51 introduces several enhancements:

A new Reduced Motion accessibility feature to minimize UI animations.
Improved user experience with easier fingerprint registration and an updated system info panel.
Enhanced Tiling Assistant that now includes a layout picker for snapping windows.
The desktop icons extension, DING, has been converted to GTK4, ensuring consistency in visual elements across the desktop.
Default apps have been upgraded, including a feature to add signatures in PDF documents with the Document Viewer and improved folder management in the Nautilus file manager.

Login screens now support additional authentication methods, including FIDO2/passkeys and QR code/web login options, catering to users on managed networks.

System Improvements

The Ubuntu 26.10 Beta operates on the Linux 7.3 kernel, which is still undergoing development. Notable improvements in this kernel version include faster file space allocation for EXT4 and optimizations for handling low-memory situations better. The update marks the complete transition to Rust-based core utilities, enhancing overall security by mitigating bugs in low-level system functions.

Highlights of Ubuntu 26.10

Linux Kernel: 7.3 (Release candidate)
Desktop Environment: GNOME 51, improved UI experiences
App Center Enhancements: New driver management interface
Additional Drivers: Now integrated within the App Center for better hardware support
New Desktop Wallpapers: A collection featuring various stingrays

Download Information

Users can download the Ubuntu 26.10 Beta from the official release server. Multiple ISO images are available, including an optimized image for newer AMD CPUs, a generic ARM image, and preinstalled images for Raspberry Pi.

Installing this beta version allows for seamless upgrades to the final release, scheduled for mid-October.

For those interested in different flavors of Ubuntu, testing versions for Lubuntu, Kubuntu, and Ubuntu Cinnamon are also available.