# Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS Arrives with Linux Kernel 7.0 and Enhanced Hardware Support

> Canonical releases Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS featuring Linux kernel 7.0 and Mesa 26.2. Learn how to update and explore the extended 15-year support lifecycle.

- Canonical URL: https://coreiten.com/en/article/ubuntu-24045-lts-arrives-with-linux-kernel-70-and-enhanced-hardware-support
- Language: en
- Section: Linux
- Author: Sami
- Published: 2026-09-13T00:01:25+03:00
- Modified: 2026-09-13T00:01:25+03:00
- Publisher: CoreITen (https://coreiten.com)
- Keywords: Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS, Linux kernel 7.0, Canonical, Noble Numbat, Mesa 26.2, Ubuntu update, Linux distribution

## Summary

Canonical released Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS, featuring Linux kernel 7.0 and Mesa 26.2 to significantly improve modern hardware compatibility.

- Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS bundles six months of security patches and optimizations into a single installation image to save setup time.
- The release backports Linux kernel 7.0 and the Mesa 26.2 graphics stack directly from the upcoming 26.04 LTS Resolute Raccoon release.
- The Noble Numbat line started with Linux 6.8 and progressed through versions 6.11, 6.14, and 6.17 before reaching version 7.0.
- Canonical maintains a standard five-year support guarantee until June 2029, which can be extended to 10 years via Ubuntu Pro or 15 years with the Legacy tier.
- Current Ubuntu 24.04 users can upgrade automatically using the Software Updater tool or by running standard terminal commands like sudo apt upgrade.

**Why it matters:** This release bridges the gap between long-term enterprise stability and cutting-edge hardware support without requiring risky OS migrations.

---

Canonical has officially released Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS, bringing the highly anticipated Linux kernel 7.0 to the Noble Numbat release. This fifth and likely final maintenance update is designed to save users significant time on new installations by bundling six months of security patches and software optimizations. By consolidating these updates into a single installation image, administrators can avoid downloading hundreds of packages immediately after setting up a new machine.

The primary focus of this release is bridging the gap between long-term stability and modern hardware compatibility. Canonical has integrated technologies originally intended for the upcoming 26.04 LTS release, ensuring that the current ecosystem remains fully capable of supporting the latest components on the market.

### Hardware Support and Kernel Evolution

The standout feature of Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS is the inclusion of Linux kernel 7.0 alongside the Mesa 26.2 graphics stack. These core components have been backported directly from the future 26.04 LTS (Resolute Raccoon) release. This integration guarantees that the operating system can natively recognize and utilize the newest processors and graphics cards without requiring manual driver interventions.

The kernel evolution throughout the Noble Numbat lifecycle has been remarkably aggressive. The initial 24.04 and 24.04.1 releases launched with Linux 6.8. Subsequent updates saw rapid progression, with 24.04.2 moving to kernel 6.11, 24.04.3 advancing to 6.14, and the recent 24.04.4 utilizing Linux 6.17, culminating in the current leap to version 7.0.

### Extended Lifecycle and Official Flavors

The Noble Numbat line maintains Canonical's standard five-year support guarantee, providing security fixes and updates until June 2029. However, enterprise users and organizations can extend this window significantly. The Ubuntu Pro plan stretches support to 10 years, while the Legacy subscription tier pushes the lifecycle to an unprecedented 15 years.

The updated installation images are available immediately for both Desktop and Server editions. This comprehensive rollout also includes all official Ubuntu flavors, ensuring the entire ecosystem benefits from the new kernel. The supported variants include:

- Kubuntu
- Xubuntu
- Lubuntu
- Ubuntu Studio
- Edubuntu
- Ubuntu Cinnamon
- Ubuntu Budgie
- Ubuntu MATE
- Ubuntu Unity
- Ubuntu Kylin

### How to Update to Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS

If you already have Ubuntu 24.04 installed, you do not need to download the new ISO files or format your machine. The transition to the new build is handled automatically through the built-in Software Updater tool. Alternatively, power users can initiate the upgrade using standard commands in the Terminal.

To apply the update via the command line, open your Terminal and run the following standard package management commands:

```bash
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
```

Once the process completes, a system reboot is recommended to ensure the new Linux kernel 7.0 is actively loaded and running.

### The Hardware Enablement Strategy Pays Off

Canonical's aggressive Hardware Enablement (HWE) stack strategy is the real story behind this release. Moving from kernel 6.8 to 7.0 within a single LTS cycle demonstrates a clear commitment to keeping enterprise users on modern hardware without forcing them to abandon the stability of a Long Term Support release. By backporting the Mesa 26.2 stack from the upcoming Resolute Raccoon, Canonical is effectively eliminating the traditional compromise between system stability and cutting-edge GPU performance.

Furthermore, the 15-year Legacy support option fundamentally changes the value proposition for enterprise infrastructure. For industrial deployments, IoT devices, and massive server farms where OS migrations are costly and risky, a guaranteed lifecycle stretching into the late 2030s provides unmatched operational security. This positions Ubuntu not just as a developer favorite, but as a formidable alternative to traditional enterprise Linux distributions.

## Sources

- [videocardz.com](https://tugatech.com.pt/t90889-ubuntu-24-04-5-lts-ganha-kernel-linux-7-0-e-facilita-novas-instalacoes)
