Ubuntu 18.04 LTS is out

Martin Brinkmann
Apr 26, 2018
Updated • Apr 26, 2018
Linux
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Ubuntu 18.04 LTS has been released. The new version of Ubuntu is available in Desktop, Server, Cloud and core variants, and it is a long-term support release which means that the Desktop, Server, Core and Kylin releases will be supported for five years until April 2023.

You can download the release version by following links in the release notes. The main Ubuntu website and download pages have yet to be updated.

Ubuntu systems running Ubuntu 16.04 LTS or Ubuntu 17.10 can be upgraded in the following way:

  1. Open System Settings.
  2. Go to Software & Updates.
  3. Check the "for any version" box of the "Notify me of a new Ubuntu version" box.
  4. Use the keyboard shortcut Alt-F2 and type update-manager -cd in the command box.
  5. The Update Manager should show the new release.
  6. Click on upgrade and follow the instructions.

Ubuntu 18.04 LTS: What is new

The new Ubuntu release features lots of changes. Here is a list of important changes in the new version of the Linux distribution:

  • No 32-bit installers anymore for Ubuntu Desktop.
  • Ubuntu Desktop uses Gnome instead of Unity. Ubuntu Gnome flavor discontinued because of that.
  • Kernel updated to version 4.15
  • New installs: a swap file is used and not a swap partition by default.
  • Option to use "minimal installation" during installation.
  • Gnome updated to 3.28. Gnome Shell supports Thunderbolt 3.
  • GDM replaced LightDM as display manager, Gnome's screen keyboard Onboard.
  • Python 2 is no longer installed by default. It is still included but Ubuntu 18.04 will be the last LTS to include Python 2.
  • Installer does not prompt to encrypt Home directory anymore. Ubuntu suggests to use full disk encryption instead.
  • OpenSSH won't work with RSA keys smaller than 1024 bits.
  • Devices on battery power will suspend after 20 minutes of inactivity
  • Driverless printing support.
  • gconf no longer installed by default as it has been superseeded by gsettings.

Apps

  • Calendar supports weather forecasts.
  • Characters app replaced Character Map.
  • LibreOffice updated to version 6.0.
  • Switched to the snap format for some tools (Calculator, Characters, Logs and System Monitor). Ubuntu states that snaps offer better isolation.
  • To-Do app is included by default.
  • Ubuntu Software app supports switching between Snap application channels.

Issues

The new release has a relatively large list of known issues. You can check out the release notes for a full list of issues. Below is just a selection of issues that may affect lots of users:

  • "A start job is running for" error when exiting live sessions.
  • Devices connected over DisplayPort to an external screen may fail to boot on Nvidia hardware.
  • Login screen may not be displayed at all or only on the internal screen when external monitors are connected to a laptop.
  • UEFI installation warning dialog does not respond to user input.
  • Login may hang after the password was entered incorrectly.

Check out the release notes for Server issues and release notes.

Ubuntu displays a "what's new in Ubuntu" screen on first start. It highlights several areas in which the new Ubuntu 18.04 LTS interface differs from previous versions of Ubuntu.

Specifically mentioned are the window switcher, application menu, clock and calendar, launcher, apps button, close button and system menu.

You may want to go through the different pages. The third asks for permission to submit data to Ubuntu and is enabled by default. You may want to switch it to "No, don't send system info"

The makers of Ubuntu announced recently that they wanted to collect more Telemetry data.

Summary
Ubuntu 18.04 LTS is out
Article Name
Ubuntu 18.04 LTS is out
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Ubuntu 18.04 LTS has been released. The new version of Ubuntu is available in Desktop, Server, Cloud and core variants, and it is a long-term support release which means that the Desktop, Server, Core and Kylin releases will be supported for five years until April 2023.
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Ghacks Technology News
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Comments

  1. Mark Hazard said on April 28, 2018 at 3:06 pm
    Reply

    It won’t be released for automatic upgrade until 18.04.1 LTS comes out sometime in July.
    However, if you follow Martin’s instructions, you should be able to upgrade now.
    I will wait until July to upgrade after all the bugs have been ironed out (hopefully).
    I don’t need headaches.

  2. inab said on April 28, 2018 at 11:38 am
    Reply

    you could try xubuntu instead of lubuntu, it’s a good middle ground and doesn’t need much more ressources than lxde.

  3. Supergirl said on April 27, 2018 at 10:53 pm
    Reply

    I have been waiting for this Ubuntu 18.04 LTS series..

    I have Lubuntu 16.04 LTS on an old 1st gen 13 laptop
    & it looks kinda primitive…

    If I put heavier Desktop GUIs on it or a heavier distro it gets too sluggish. I will probably wait until 18.04.1 also.

    It is sad to see that the petty childish Passive/Aggressives have come to Linux now too.

    As an American who is watching my country slowly self-destruct in a wave of mindless stupidity.. I would like to apologize to all for their behavior…

    On subject.. Please everyone understand that Linux is NOT A PRODUCT…!!!
    Its not a Corporation trying to weasel ca$h from you.Its mostly a bunch of talented volunteers creating something new & special
    & allowing us all in on the fruits of their labors

    They owe You NOTHING…Its your job to walk the final 2-3 steps to LEARN how to make it work for you.

    So if youre not pleased just shut up & go away..LoL

  4. Peekay said on April 27, 2018 at 1:22 pm
    Reply

    IT’S NOW RELEASED OFFICIALLY.

  5. Darren said on April 27, 2018 at 3:51 am
    Reply

    Wow, what a weird bunch of cry-baby comments.

    1. Anonymous said on April 27, 2018 at 2:21 pm
      Reply

      So…new to linux?

      1. STech said on April 27, 2018 at 7:17 pm
        Reply

        @Anonymous
        +1
        so right :))

  6. mikef90000 said on April 27, 2018 at 3:02 am
    Reply

    Tried to install from mini.iso, still no response from the US server.
    Hey folks, last minute glitches happen – chill out !!

  7. Adrian said on April 26, 2018 at 11:47 pm
    Reply

    Doesn’t anyone check on what you report??? It HASN”T been released yet. A long time ago Ubuntu mentioned that today would be the day it was released and your post was probably based on that….. Check first, then write your post.

  8. experimancer said on April 26, 2018 at 8:32 pm
    Reply

    It hasn’t been released because of this: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntukylin/+bug/1767067.

    Your article is false and fake, thanks for being ignorant fool :)

    1. midnightsun said on April 27, 2018 at 1:21 am
      Reply

      Ubuntu 18.04 LTS iso is live https://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop

      Your comment is bad and you should feel bad for it :)

  9. cib said on April 26, 2018 at 8:25 pm
    Reply

    Seems they borrow “good” habit from MS!

  10. AnorKnee Merce said on April 26, 2018 at 7:54 pm
    Reply

    Is the ISO file for Ubuntu 18.04 LTS (eg Desktop) available for download here.? …

    https://wiki.ubuntu.com/BionicBeaver/ReleaseNotes ….

    http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/daily-live/current/ (The Desktop image is dated 25 April 2018 – Ubuntu 18.04 LTS Daily Build.? = maybe this image is the final Daily Build or RTM Build for Ubuntu 18.04 LTS)

  11. STech said on April 26, 2018 at 7:32 pm
    Reply

    there was a last moment bug:
    “Last moment bug in Ubuntu 18.04
    About seven hours ago, the development team found a bug and it’s currently being fixed. Apparently, Bug #1767067 affects the live session options in Ubuntu, Ubuntu Kylin, Ubuntu Budgie, and Ubuntu MATE flavors. As per the latest update, the team is working hard to fix the bug and testing the release.
    (Update: The team has fixed the bug and the official release will be out anytime soon).”
    source: https:/ /fossbytes.com/ubuntu-18-04-not-released-yet/

    1. AnorKnee Merce said on April 26, 2018 at 8:09 pm
      Reply

      Hence, it’s often better to wait for the Point Releases, eg Ubuntu 18.04.1 LTS, when most of the kinks/bugs have already been worked out.

  12. MJ said on April 26, 2018 at 4:12 pm
    Reply

    blasted links connect you to 16.04 LTS…for download and who runs Ubuntu wiki they turrrrrrrrible too LOL

  13. echo "Drop Already.. I have testing to do !!" said on April 26, 2018 at 3:30 pm
    Reply

    They say released, I say where ??? The site has not been updated yet.. So its not released in my opinion.

  14. Squuiid said on April 26, 2018 at 1:45 pm
    Reply

    Martin, as others have stated, it has still not been released.
    I’ve just wasted my time trying to obtain and upgrade my lab servers.
    If the new version hasn’t been released yet why would you post this article?

    1. Anonymous said on April 26, 2018 at 3:09 pm
      Reply

      Because clickbait. Because lazy journalism. You know the drill.

  15. GPLusx said on April 26, 2018 at 12:52 pm
    Reply

    Sadly Unity 8 with Mir is still in a very early alpha stage and the development is moving on a glacial pace. we probably won’t see it released as a stable desktop environment before the 20.04 LTS , by then nobody would care though.

    1. Akane said on April 26, 2018 at 2:50 pm
      Reply

      Unity 8 is being solely developed by Ubports at this point so whatever development happens now is is up to them now, Canonical dumped it last year.

  16. gion said on April 26, 2018 at 12:40 pm
    Reply

    still unreleased !!!
    not available in the download section
    https://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop

  17. UbuntuUser said on April 26, 2018 at 11:42 am
    Reply

    No download on the website yet for the new stable release

  18. DaveyK said on April 26, 2018 at 10:19 am
    Reply

    Given the number of issues, I think I’ll wait a bit before upgrading my NUC from 16.04. Hopefully most of these will be ironed out over the next few months.

    Now if only MS made LTS versions of Windows 10 available for general use…

    1. notAUser said on April 26, 2018 at 11:04 am
      Reply

      It depends. :) For example Ubuntu 16.04 has a lot of issues with some realtek wi-fi cards. I can not stand situation when my wi-fi disspears every 30 minutes. It’s LTS! Also Hibernation does not work well on Linux 4.13 but it works relatively good with Linux 4.15.

      1. Anonymous said on April 26, 2018 at 9:02 pm
        Reply

        Now hibernation will not work at all without swap partition.

  19. Anony said on April 26, 2018 at 9:53 am
    Reply
    1. crantisz said on April 26, 2018 at 2:15 pm
      Reply

      This text is great:

      TBC: Ubuntu Desktop 18.04 LTS brings a fresh look with the Gnome desktop
      environment. ”’MORE HERE”’

      ”’something about snaps here”’

    2. ANorKnee Merce said on April 26, 2018 at 1:46 pm
      Reply

      @ Anony

      Release of Ubuntu 18.04 LTS has been announced but there is no ISO download available yet at ubuntudotcom or elsewhere at the moment = false promises by Canonical Inc.

      1. Roy Davies said on April 26, 2018 at 4:32 pm
        Reply

        I totally agree. Ubuntu speak with forked tongue.

  20. Anonymous said on April 26, 2018 at 8:14 am
    Reply

    This can be read on the website:

    Ubuntu 18.04 LTS HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED YET and is not recommended for use on production systems or on your primary computers yet.

  21. root said on April 26, 2018 at 7:54 am
    Reply

    It has not been released yet,
    “Ubuntu 18.04 LTS will be released on April 26.

    Ubuntu 18.04 LTS HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED YET and is not recommended for use on production systems or on your primary computers yet. “

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