Xubuntu 25.10 released

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Xubuntu 25.10 — “Questing Quokka” — has landed, and it’s a tidy, fast-moving release that keeps the XFCE flavor lean while quietly sharpening the edges everywhere that matters. It’s a regular, 9-month support release running through July 2026, ideal for folks who want the newest stack without the long-term lock-in. 

“Questing Quokka beside Tux”

Headliners at a glance

  • XFCE 4.20 refinements: stability upgrades and better Wayland foundations make panels, compositing, and window behavior feel steadier under pressure. Xubuntu still defaults to the classic, predictable experience, but Wayland is now a viable playground for the curious. 

  • GNOME 49 apps are along for the ride, and they’re better integrated than before. MATE 1.26 utilities remain in the box to round out a practical office/tooling set — a nice nod to users who value balanced, pragmatic defaults. 

  • Two images to suit your style: the standard Desktop ISO and a Minimal spin if you prefer to build up from a smaller base. 

Under the hood: the Ubuntu 25.10 base

Because Xubuntu tracks Ubuntu’s core, you also get the broader platform gains from Ubuntu 25.10: a modern kernel and graphics stack for smoother performance and newer hardware, plus low-level tooling updates that keep the system fresh. In practice that means Linux 6.17, Mesa 25.2, and other base upgrades inherited from Ubuntu’s October 2025 release. 

Wayland: from trial balloon to usable option

Wayland support is no longer a novelty here; it’s improved enough to be genuinely testable on daily hardware if you’re adventurous. Expect better behavior in core XFCE components, with the understanding that a few papercuts still exist — this is a measured, incremental march, not a blind leap. 

Known quirks (read before you dive)

Every release has edges; here are the key ones called out by the Xubuntu team:

  • Icon oddities in some libadwaita/modern GNOME apps (e.g., blank close icons, missing scanner option icon).

  • Graphical SSH agent is unavailable due to a GNOME Keyring change.

  • Flatpak installs may be blocked by an AppArmor–libfuse conflict (a fix is on the way).
    If any of these hit your workflow, you might want to hold a week or two or use the Minimal image and tailor from there. 

Who should upgrade?

  • XFCE fans on 25.04 or 24.10 who want a crisper panel/compositor feel, newer apps, and the latest Ubuntu base.

  • Laptop users who’ll benefit from newer kernel/graphics bits and improved power/perf balance.

  • Tinkerers curious about Wayland on XFCE without abandoning the dependable Xubuntu vibe.

Quick take

Xubuntu 25.10 doesn’t scream; it hums. It’s the same lightweight desktop you trust, just tuned: fewer rattles, tighter steering, and a modern engine under the hood. If you value stability with sensible progress — and want to test-drive Wayland without torching your setup — Questing Quokka is a confident, well-judged update. 

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