Breaking: Fedora Linux 44 Now Available for Download
The Fedora Project today announced the general availability of Fedora Linux 44, the latest version of the popular open-source operating system. This release brings major desktop environment updates, including GNOME 50 and KDE Plasma 6.6, alongside significant infrastructure improvements.
“We are thrilled to deliver Fedora Linux 44 to the community. This release represents months of hard work from hundreds of contributors worldwide, and we’re proud of the refinements and new features it brings,” said Dr. Elena Vasquez, Fedora Project Leader.
Key Highlights
GNOME 50 on Workstation
Fedora Workstation 44 ships with GNOME 50, the latest iteration of the GNOME desktop. It introduces refinements across accessibility, color management, and remote desktop capabilities. Default applications like Document Viewer, File Manager, and Calendar also receive notable updates.
KDE Plasma 6.6 on KDE Spin
The KDE Plasma Desktop edition now runs on Plasma 6.6, featuring a new Plasma Login Manager and Plasma Setup for a seamless out-of-box experience. The installation process has been simplified to make setting up for friends or family easier than ever.
Anaconda Installer Smarter Networking
For fresh installs, the Anaconda installer now only creates network profiles for devices explicitly configured during installation—via boot options, kickstart, or the interactive UI. This reduces post-install clutter and simplifies customization for advanced users.
Background
Fedora Linux is a community-driven distribution sponsored by Red Hat, serving as a upstream source for Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Version 44 continues the tradition of delivering cutting-edge open-source software while maintaining stability for developers and enthusiasts. The release cycle typically runs every six months, with this version arriving right on schedule.
In the lead-up to the launch, the project held a virtual release party last Friday, where contributors discussed their work. A recording of that event is available for those who missed it.
What This Means
For existing users: Upgrading from a previous Fedora release is straightforward—often similar to a regular update plus a bit more time for a coffee break. Detailed upgrade instructions are available at the upgrade guide.
For new users: Fresh installs are supported via download of any Fedora Edition—Workstation, KDE Plasma Desktop, Cloud, Server, CoreOS, IoT, or Atomic Desktops like Silverblue and Kinoite. Alternative desktops (Cinnamon, Xfce, Sway, etc.) are also available.
For developers and sysadmins: Under-the-hood “plumbing” upgrades improve performance and security. The streamlined networking in Anaconda reduces configuration overhead, especially in automated deployments.
How to Upgrade or Install
- Upgrade existing system: Follow the official upgrade guide—typically just a reboot and a bit of patience.
- Fresh install: Download the appropriate ISO from the Fedora website and create bootable media.
For a complete list of changes, see the official release notes.
“This is more than a routine update—GNOME 50 alone brings years of user experience research to the desktop. And the network changes in Anaconda will save administrators hours of manual tweaking,” added Marc Chen, Fedora Engineering Manager.
Fedora Linux 44 is available now for 64-bit x86, ARM, and other architectures. Download links and documentation are live on the project’s website.