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A Guide to Installing and Exploring Ubuntu 26.10

Yammbo
· 3 min read
Copyright: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
linux 7.3 gnome 51 rust utilities sequoia pgp ubuntu installation
A Guide to Installing and Exploring Ubuntu 26.10

Ubuntu 26.10, codenamed "Stonking Stingray," is an interim release that brings a host of updated software and significant under-the-hood changes. This version introduces a newer Linux kernel, an updated GNOME desktop environment, and further integration of Rust-based utilities, enhancing performance and security. This tutorial will guide you through the process of downloading and installing Ubuntu 26.10, and then help you verify and explore its most notable new features.

Step 1: Preparing for Installation and Downloading Ubuntu 26.10

Before you begin, it's important to understand that Ubuntu 26.10 is an interim release. This means it receives nine months of support, ending in July 2027, unlike Long Term Support (LTS) releases which offer five years. Interim releases are ideal for users who want the latest software and features and are comfortable with more frequent upgrades.

First, ensure your system meets the basic requirements for Ubuntu, which typically include:

  • 2 GHz dual-core processor or better
  • 4 GB RAM
  • 25 GB of free hard-drive space
  • Internet access (optional, but recommended for updates)
  • A USB port for the installation media

Once you've confirmed your system is ready, you'll need to download the Ubuntu 26.10 ISO image. This image contains the entire operating system and is used to create bootable installation media.

  1. Visit the Official Ubuntu Website: Navigate to the official Ubuntu download page.
  2. Select Ubuntu Desktop: For most users, the "Desktop" ISO is the correct choice. Ubuntu 26.10 ISOs are available for various architectures, including AMD64, ARM64, and RISC-V. Ensure you download the version compatible with your computer's processor.
  3. Download the ISO: Click the download button to start downloading the ISO file. This file can be several gigabytes, so the download time will vary based on your internet connection.

After downloading, you'll need to create a bootable USB drive. Tools like Ventoy, Rufus (for Windows), or Balena Etcher (cross-platform) can be used for this purpose. Simply select your downloaded ISO file and your USB drive, then follow the tool's instructions to write the image to the USB drive.

Step 2: Installing Ubuntu 26.10 on Your System

With your bootable USB drive ready, you can proceed with the installation. Remember to back up any important data before starting, as this process involves partitioning your hard drive.

  1. Boot from USB: Insert the bootable USB drive into your computer and restart it. You may need to press a specific key (often F2, F10, F12, or Del) during startup to enter your BIOS/UEFI settings or a boot menu to select the USB drive as the primary boot device.
  2. Start the Installer: Once booted from the USB, you will see a welcome screen. You can choose to "Try Ubuntu" to test it without installation, or "Install Ubuntu" to begin the installation process. Select "Install Ubuntu."
  3. Language and Keyboard Layout: Choose your preferred language and keyboard layout.
  4. Network Connection: Connect to a Wi-Fi network if available. This allows the installer to download updates and third-party software during installation.
  5. Updates and Other Software: You'll typically be presented with options to install updates and third-party software (like graphics drivers and media codecs). It's generally recommended to select both for a complete experience.
  6. Installation Type: This is a critical step.
    • Erase disk and install Ubuntu: This option will wipe your entire hard drive and install Ubuntu. Use this if you are dedicating the machine solely to Ubuntu or have backed up all other data.
    • Install Ubuntu alongside [Another Operating System]: If you want to dual-boot, this option attempts to automatically resize your existing operating system's partition and create space for Ubuntu.
    • Something else: This option allows for manual partitioning, giving you full control over your disk layout. This is recommended for advanced users or specific configurations.
    Choose the option that best suits your needs and follow the on-screen prompts.
  7. Location and User Setup: Select your geographical location to set the correct time zone. Then, create your user account by entering your name, computer name, username, and a strong password.
  8. Installation Progress: The installer will now copy files and configure the system. This process can take some time.
  9. Restart: Once the installation is complete, you will be prompted to restart your computer. Remove the USB drive when instructed.

Your system will now boot into your newly installed Ubuntu 26.10 desktop environment.

Step 3: Verifying Your Installation and Core Components

After successfully installing Ubuntu 26.10, it's a good practice to verify that the key components are updated as expected.

  1. Check the Linux Kernel Version:

    Ubuntu 26.10 ships with Linux 7.3. This kernel version brings notable improvements, including enhanced support for recent Snapdragon X2 Elite laptops and several older Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus machines from manufacturers like Lenovo, HP, and Acer. Gamers will also benefit from initial VRAM overcommit work, which can improve performance on graphics cards with limited video memory by offloading some data to system RAM.

    To verify your kernel version, open the Terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run:

    uname -r

    The output should indicate a version starting with 7.3.x-xx-generic, confirming you're running the latest kernel.

  2. Verify the GNOME Desktop Environment:

    Ubuntu 26.10 features GNOME 51, which introduces several user experience enhancements. These include a new fingerprint manager integrated into the Users panel for easier biometric authentication, the ability to configure DNS search domains directly in the Network settings, and a convenient count badge in the Files application when dragging multiple items.

    To check your GNOME Shell version, open the Terminal and type:

    gnome-shell --version

    The output should display GNOME Shell 51.x.

    You can also explore the new Ubuntu Tiling Assistant, which offers a Windows-11-like interface for managing snappable window layouts. Access it by dragging a window to the edge of the screen or using the Super (Windows key) + Arrow keys.

  3. Review NVIDIA Driver Series (if applicable):

    If you have an NVIDIA GPU, Ubuntu 26.10 moves to the NVIDIA 615 driver series. This series exclusively ships with open kernel modules and supports Turing and newer GPUs. Open kernel modules can offer better integration and security.

    If you have an NVIDIA card and have installed the proprietary drivers, you can check the driver version by opening the Terminal and running:

    nvidia-smi

    Look for the "Driver Version" in the output.

Step 4: Exploring Rust-Powered Utilities and Cryptography

Ubuntu 26.10 continues its "rustification" process, integrating more Rust-based tools for improved safety and modern development practices.

  1. Understanding Rust-Based Core Utilities:

    Historically, core utilities like cp (copy), mv (move), and rm (remove) were based on GNU implementations. In Ubuntu 26.10, these have transitioned to the Rust-based uutils implementation. This move is part of a broader effort to modernize the operating system's foundational components, leveraging Rust's memory safety and performance benefits.

    While the commands themselves remain the same from a user perspective, the underlying tools are now more robust. You can typically check the version of these commands using --version, though it might still report GNU coreutils version depending on how the wrappers are implemented.

  2. Working with Sequoia PGP:

    OpenPGP functionality in Ubuntu 26.10 now includes Sequoia PGP, a Rust-based implementation developed by former GnuPG developers. This provides an alternative and modern approach to managing OpenPGP keys and operations.

    Sequoia introduces its own command-line tools, sq and sqv, which sit alongside GnuPG's established gpg and gpgv. You can explore their functionalities via the manual pages:

    man sq

    or

    man sqv

    These tools offer features for key generation, encryption, decryption, and signature verification, often with a focus on a more user-friendly interface and improved security defaults.

Step 5: Understanding Other System Enhancements

Beyond the core components, Ubuntu 26.10 includes several other significant updates that enhance security, platform support, and the developer toolchain.

  1. OpenSSL 4 and Network Security:

    The update to OpenSSL 4 brings important advancements in network security. Most notably, it includes support for Encrypted Client Hello (ECH), a feature designed to enhance privacy by encrypting the initial handshake of a TLS connection, making it harder for third parties to identify which website a user is visiting. It also improves QUIC protocol support, which is a modern transport layer network protocol designed for speed and efficiency.

  2. Enhanced TPM-backed Full-Disk Encryption:

    Full-disk encryption (FDE) with Trusted Platform Module (TPM) support has been improved. In Ubuntu 26.10, TPM-backed FDE now works without requiring a hardware root of trust, provided a PIN or passphrase is set. This makes robust disk encryption more accessible for a wider range of hardware configurations, enhancing data security for users.

  3. RISC-V Platform Support:

    The RISC-V platform, an open-standard instruction set architecture, receives official RVA23 support. This is particularly relevant for modern hardware like SpacemiT K3 boards and SiFive's BigSky platform, indicating Ubuntu's commitment to supporting emerging hardware architectures.

  4. Updated Developer Toolchain:

    For developers, Ubuntu 26.10 provides a refreshed set of essential tools and compilers:

    • GCC 15.2.0
    • LLVM 22.1.8
    • Python 3.14.7
    • Rust 1.97.1
    • Go 1.27
    • OpenJDK 25.0.4

    You can verify the versions of some of these tools in your Terminal:

    python3 --version
    rustc --version

    These updates ensure developers have access to the latest features, performance improvements, and security patches in their programming environments.

  5. New Wallpapers:

    While not a technical feature, Ubuntu 26.10 also includes twelve new wallpapers, offering fresh aesthetic choices across Mascot, Photography, and Digital/Abstract categories.

Ubuntu 26.10 "Stonking Stingray" is a robust interim release that delivers significant updates across the entire operating system, from the kernel and desktop environment to core utilities and developer tools. By following this guide, you should now have a fully installed and verified Ubuntu 26.10 system, ready for you to explore its new features and enhancements. Once your Ubuntu system is configured, you're ready to explore new projects. If you're looking to build a website quickly and efficiently, consider Yammbo Web, our AI-powered website builder, at web.yammbo.com.