{"id":164977,"date":"2025-04-15T14:00:38","date_gmt":"2025-04-15T14:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/?p=164977"},"modified":"2025-04-15T20:34:30","modified_gmt":"2025-04-15T20:34:30","slug":"fedora-linux-42-released","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/fedora-linux-42-released\/","title":{"rendered":"Fedora 42 Officially Released, This Is What&#8217;s New"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Another six-month cycle has passed, and the highly anticipated Fedora 42 release is finally here, now available for download, powered by the latest and greatest <a href=\"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/linux-kernel-6-14-released\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"162355\">Linux kernel 6.14<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first thing that will immediately impress you is that Anaconda&#8217;s installer has undergone significant changes. Most prominent is <a href=\"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/fedora-42-to-introduces-new-anaconda-web-ui-installer\/\">a newly introduced Web UI<\/a>, which is now the default for Fedora Workstation installations. This interface includes an installation progress indicator, built-in help, a configuration review, and a Wizard function that lets users skip unnecessary steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, the web-based partitioning feature adds a guided partitioning function\u2014giving users the option to specify their installation goal and customize partitioning further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Complementing this is a convenient \u201c<em>Reinstall Fedora<\/em>\u201d option when a system needs a swift reset. Plus, for dual-boot enthusiasts, the new partitioning approach requires only the creation of free space, streamlining setup without demanding in-depth knowledge of other operating systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The other big news with this release is that KDE Plasma Desktop is being <a href=\"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/fedora-linux-elevates-kde-to-edition-status\/\">promoted to a full-fledged edition<\/a>, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the other flagship GNOME variant. The version you get with Fedora 42 is the latest one, <a href=\"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/kde-plasma-6-3-4-desktop-environment-released\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"163477\">Plasma 6.3.4<\/a>, accompanied by <a href=\"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/kde-frameworks-6-13-released\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"164740\">Frameworks 6.13<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/kde-gear-24-12-3-apps-collection-rolls-out\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"160366\">KDE Gear 24.12.3<\/a> apps collection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/fedora42-kde-desktop.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/fedora42-kde-desktop-1024x640.jpg\" alt=\"Fedora 42 Workstation KDE\" class=\"wp-image-165001\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/fedora42-kde-desktop-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/fedora42-kde-desktop-380x238.jpg 380w, https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/fedora42-kde-desktop-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/fedora42-kde-desktop-1536x960.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/fedora42-kde-desktop.jpg 1680w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Support for Power Systems (ppc64le) has been introduced as part of this elevation. Enthusiasts can expect the same standard of excellence that KDE Plasma has delivered in previous Fedora iterations. Even better, a comprehensive KDE stack, which includes KDE PIM, is now available on Power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, installable live images support OpenPOWER hardware like the Talos Workstation from Raptor Systems, expanding compatibility across diverse platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The brand-new Fedora COSMIC spin is also <a href=\"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/cosmic-desktop-proposed-as-official-spin-for-fedora-42\/\">making a noteworthy debut<\/a> in Fedora Linux 42. System76&#8217;s Rust-based desktop (currently in <a href=\"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/cosmic-desktop-alpha-6-released\/\">Alpha 6 phase<\/a>) comes loaded with unique features such as hybrid per-workspace window and tiling management, window stacks with tab switching, and extensive customization support for both GTK and (in time) Qt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Quite expected, the other Fedora workstation edition, GNOME, features the latest and most up-to-date release of the desktop environment\u2014<a href=\"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/gnome-48-desktop-environment-released\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"161920\">version 48<\/a>. The changes are many, with the most significant being:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Notification Stacking<\/strong>: App notifications are now grouped for easier navigation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Dynamic Triple Buffering<\/strong>: Smoother animations and reduced frame skips via Mutter improvements.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Performance Gains<\/strong>: Reduced CPU\/memory usage in the JavaScript engine, faster folder loading and scrolling in Files, and optimized GTK performance for app interfaces.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>HDR Support<\/strong>: Initial system-level HDR output for supported displays.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Enhanced Image Viewer<\/strong>: Basic editing tools (crop, rotate, flip), new zoom controls, experimental RAW and XMP metadata support.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>New Default Fonts<\/strong>: <em>Adwaita Sans<\/em> and <em>Adwaita Mono<\/em> for better rendering and language coverage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Battery Health Preservation<\/strong>: Option to cap charge at 80% for longevity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/fedora42-gnome-desktop.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/fedora42-gnome-desktop-1024x640.jpg\" alt=\"Fedora 42 Workstation GNOME\" class=\"wp-image-165013\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/fedora42-gnome-desktop-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/fedora42-gnome-desktop-380x238.jpg 380w, https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/fedora42-gnome-desktop-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/fedora42-gnome-desktop-1536x960.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/fedora42-gnome-desktop.jpg 1680w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond these highlights, Fedora 42 ships with updated developer-focused tools and libraries. It features the latest upstream release of &#8220;<em>python-setuptools<\/em>,&#8221; an essential library simplifying packaging for Python-based projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Furthermore, the DNF5 package manager introduced in <a href=\"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/fedora-linux-41-released\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"140836\">Fedora 41<\/a> receives an important upgrade that automatically manages repository keys by removing expired and obsolete ones. This release also includes the newest version of Ruby\u20143.4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fedora 42 also provides a streamlined way to explore Linux on Windows systems via the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). A specialized Fedora Linux image and thorough documentation invite Windows users to dip their toes into the Fedora waters, aiming at those intrigued by Linux but hesitant to commit to an installation on their primary machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, users can look forward to a smooth transition to SDL3 and Wayland-by-default for SDL apps, ensuring more modern graphics handling out of the box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more detailed information about all novelties in Fedora 42, visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/fedoramagazine.org\/whats-new-fedora-workstation-42\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">release announcement<\/a>. The ISO installation images are available from the project website\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/fedoraproject.org\/workstation\/download\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">download section<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-upgrade-to-fedora-40\">How to Upgrade to Fedora 42<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re running <a href=\"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/fedora-linux-41-released\/\">Fedora 41<\/a> and want to upgrade but are still trying to figure out how to do it,\u00a0don\u2019t worry. We\u2019ve got you covered. You can easily do it by following our comprehensive \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/how-to-upgrade-fedora-linux-to-latest-release\/\">How to Upgrade to Fedora 42 from Fedora 41<\/a>\u201d step-by-step guide for hassle-free execution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/fedora-41-to-42-12.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/fedora-41-to-42-12-1024x425.jpg\" alt=\"Upgrading to Fedora 42 from Fedora 41.\" class=\"wp-image-165283\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/fedora-41-to-42-12-1024x425.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/fedora-41-to-42-12-380x158.jpg 380w, https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/fedora-41-to-42-12-768x319.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/fedora-41-to-42-12.jpg 1077w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Upgrading to Fedora 42 from Fedora 41.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fedora Linux 42 is here featuring KDE Plasma as an official edition, a fresh COSMIC Spin, a new Anaconda Web UI installer, and major software updates.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":164980,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,5],"tags":[2040,5964],"class_list":["post-164977","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-os","category-news","tag-fedora","tag-fedora-42"],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/164977","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=164977"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/164977\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/164980"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=164977"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=164977"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=164977"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}