Kubuntu 26.10 'Stonking Stingray' released with Plasma 6.7.5
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Impact: 6/10
Key Takeaway
Kubuntu 26.10 is an interim release that sets Wayland as the default session and marks the final availability of the X11 session package.
Summary
Kubuntu has released version 26.10, codenamed 'Stonking Stingray', alongside the Ubuntu 26.10 base. This interim release features KDE Plasma 6.7.5 and defaults to the Wayland session. It will receive security updates and critical fixes until July 2027.
Technical changes in Kubuntu 26.10
- Default Session: Wayland is now the default; the Plasma X11 session is not installed by default and is not supported by the team.
- X11 Deprecation: This is the final release where the
plasma-session-x11package is available. - Core Software: Includes Linux kernel 7.3, Plasma 6.7.5, Qt 6.11.2, and KDE Frameworks 6.29.
- Plasma Features: Introduces per-screen virtual desktops, a new Union theming system (tech preview), and redesigned Discover app cards.
- Applications: Ships with Firefox 157 (Snap) and LibreOffice 26.8.1.
Why it matters
The shift to Wayland as the default and the removal of X11 support signals a definitive move toward modern display protocols in the KDE ecosystem.