Ubuntu 25.10 "Questing Quokka" Development Begins: Key Features & Upgrades

 

Ubuntu 25.10 "Questing Quokka" is now in development, featuring GNOME 49, Linux 6.17 kernel, Rust Coreutils, HDR support, and Dracut integration. Explore the major upgrades ahead of Ubuntu 26.04 LTS and what this means for enterprise and desktop users.

Canonical Officially Launches Ubuntu 25.10 Development Cycle

Ubuntu 25.10, codenamed "Questing Quokka", has entered its active development phase following the Ubuntu 25.04 release. Utkarsh Gupta of Canonical confirmed the milestone, with Debian auto-syncing now underway. 

This interim release serves as a critical testing ground before Ubuntu 26.04 LTS—a major Long-Term Support version—launches in April 2026.

Why Ubuntu 25.10 Matters for Developers & Enterprises

• Pre-LTS Feature Testing: Developers will prioritize major updates to ensure stability for Ubuntu 26.04.

• Cutting-Edge Stack: Expected upgrades include GNOME 49, Linux 6.17 kernel, GCC 15, and Mesa 25.2.

• Rust & Dracut Adoption: Ubuntu 25.10 may replace GNU Coreutils with Rust and switch to Dracut for faster initramfs generation.

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Key Technical Upgrades in Ubuntu 25.10

1. Desktop & Display Enhancements

• GNOME 49: Smoother Wayland integration, improved HDR support, and refined UI/UX.

• Linux 6.17 Kernel: Optimized performance, security patches, and hardware compatibility.

• Mesa 25.2 Graphics: Better Vulkan & OpenGL support for gaming and professional workloads.

2. Under-the-Hood Improvements

• GCC 15 Compiler: Faster builds, enhanced optimizations for modern CPUs.

• Rust Coreutils: Improved security and memory safety over traditional GNU tools.

• Dracut by Default: Faster boot times and modular initramfs handling.

3. Enterprise & Cloud Implications

• Early adoption of Rust-based tools strengthens security for server deployments.

• HDR & Wayland maturity benefits creative professionals and Linux workstation users.

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What’s Next for Ubuntu 25.10?

With six months of development ahead, expect:

✔ More Rust adoption (potentially in critical system components).

✔ Performance benchmarks comparing Ubuntu 25.10 vs. Fedora 43 & Debian 13.

✔ Finalized LTS preparations for Ubuntu 26.04.

FAQ: Ubuntu 25.10 "Questing Quokka"

Q: When will Ubuntu 25.10 release?

A: October 2025 (expected).

Q: Will Ubuntu 25.10 be an LTS?

A: No—it’s an interim release before Ubuntu 26.04 LTS.

Q: Is Wayland default in Ubuntu 25.10?

A: Likely, given GNOME 49’s refinements.

Q: Why switch to Rust Coreutils?

A: Security & performance—Rust eliminates memory vulnerabilities.