Ubuntu 25.04 “Plucky Puffin” Enters Public Beta Testing with Linux 6.14, GNOME 48

posted by Marius Nestor on Mar 27, 2025,
updated Apr 05, 2025

Powered by the recently released Linux 6.14 kernel and featuring the latest and greatest GNOME 48 desktop environment, Ubuntu 25.04 (codename Plucky Puffin) promises many goodies like the triple buffering feature from Ubuntu, Papers as the default document viewer replacing Evince, and BeaconDB-powered geolocation services.

The Ununtu Desktop installer received a new option to replace an existing Ubuntu installation and improvements to dual boot user experience with a focus on BitLocker-protected Windows systems. Users can now install Ubuntu alongside existing BitLocker partitions if enough unallocated space and dual boot support is now available for encrypted installations and other advanced scenarios.

Read on

Update (by Roy)

Now the Serial Slopper Fagioli is at it:

• Ubuntu 25.04 Beta brings Linux 6.14, GNOME 48, and more to the Plucky Puffin party -- download it now!

  Here we go again, folks! Canonical has pushed out the beta release of Ubuntu 25.04, and if you’re someone who lives on the bleeding edge of Linux life, you will want to pay attention. This one goes by the name “Plucky Puffin” and -- despite the typical silly codename -- it’s loaded with big under-the-hood changes and a few surprises baked in.

  This new release is based on Linux kernel 6.14, so you’re getting the usual hardware enablement and driver updates. But there’s a lot more going on here than just kernel bumps. Ubuntu 25.04 ships with systemd 257.4, and in a move that may ruffle some feathers, support for utmp is gone. That’ll probably break a few old tools, so if you still rely on who, it might be time to rethink things. Canonical is also killing off SysV init support in a future systemd release, and cgroup v1 is officially on the chopping block too. Out with the old, in with the whatever-works-now.

Four More:

• Ubuntu Fridge | Ubuntu 25.04 (Plucky Puffin) Beta released

  The Ubuntu team is pleased to announce the Beta release of the Ubuntu 25.04 Desktop, Server, and Cloud products.

  Ubuntu 25.04, codenamed “Plucky Puffin”, continues Ubuntu’s proud tradition of integrating the latest and greatest open source technologies into a high-quality, easy-to-use Linux distribution. The team has been hard at work through this cycle, introducing new features and fixing bugs.

  This Beta release includes images from not only the Ubuntu Desktop, Server, and Cloud products, but also the Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu Budgie, UbuntuKylin, Ubuntu MATE, Ubuntu Studio, Ubuntu Unity and Xubuntu flavours.

  The Beta images are known to be reasonably free of showstopper image build or installer bugs, while representing a very recent napshot of 25.04 that should be representative of the features intended to ship with the final release expected on April 17, 2025.

• Lubuntu Plucky Puffin Beta Released! – Lubuntu

  Thanks to the hard work of our contributors, we are happy to announce the release of Lubuntu's Plucky Beta, which will become Lubuntu 25.04. This is a snapshot of the daily images.

  Approximately two months ago, we posted an Alpha-level update. While some information is duplicated below, that contains an accurate, concise technical summary of our improvements this cycle, while this post has a much wider scope.

• Kubuntu Plucky Puffin (25.04) Beta released | Kubuntu

  The beta of Kubuntu Plucky Puffin (to become 25.04 in April) has now been released, and is available for download.

  This milestone features images for Kubuntu and other Ubuntu flavours.

• Ubuntu Studio 25.04 Beta Released – Ubuntu Studio

  The Ubuntu Studio team is pleased to announce the beta release of Ubuntu Studio 25.04, codenamed “Plucky Puffin”.

  While this beta is reasonably free of any showstopper installer bugs, you will find some bugs within. This image is, however, mostly representative of what you will find when Ubuntu Studio 25.04 is released on April 17, 2025.

  We encourage everyone to try this image and report bugs to improve our final release.

Adding More:

• First Look at Ubuntu 25.04 (Plucky Puffin) Beta

  Powered by the latest and greatest Linux kernel 6.14, Canonical has unveiled the beta release of the upcoming Ubuntu 25.04 (Plucky Puffin), slated for release on April 17, allowing users to try out what will largely resonate in the final stable version.

  Under the hood, systemd v257.4 arrives with vital upstream changes and the removal of some legacy functionalities. Notably, Ubuntu’s build no longer offers utmp support, and System V service scripts are on the deprecation fast track.

  Developers will find an array of toolchain updates. GCC leaps to version 14.2, binutils reaches 2.44, and glibc upgrades to 2.41. Additionally, Python 3.13.2, LLVM 20, Rust 1.84, and Go 1.24 bring fresh features to the table, fueling faster and more powerful software builds.

• Ubuntu 25.04: The Best New Features - OMG! Ubuntu

  In this post, I run through some of the best new features Ubuntu 25.04 ‘Plucky Puffin’ takes under its wing.

  If you don’t plan testing Ubuntu 25.04 beta—out now—you can look forward to trying all of the things I pin-point below this April, when the final, stable release lands.

  From notification grouping and digital ‘wellbeing’ tools to a more capable OS installer and performance-focused Linux kernel – there’s a lot to love about this release.

  So read on to find out what makes this ‘Plucky Puffin’ a particularly apt purveyor of computer-y perfection…

• Ubuntu 25.04 Beta is Now Available to Download - OMG! Ubuntu

  As a beta, the purpose is to let folks like you and I muck in to test it out, check it works with hardware, and report any bugs, breakages, or big issues so they can be looked into, worked on and fixed up in time for the release premiere next month.

  Ubuntu 25.04 is a short-term release supported for 9 months — Ubuntu LTS releases are supported for a minimum of 5 years — but Ubuntu 25.10 is released in October, with direct upgrades available.

• Ubuntu 25.04 Beta is Now Available for Testing | UbuntuHandbook

  The Ubuntu team announced the Beta release of Ubuntu 25.04, code-name Plucky Puffin, on Mar 27.

  The final release of Ubuntu 25.04 is expected on April 17, 2025. It’s a short term release with 9-month support until Jan 2026.

GoL:

• Ubuntu 25.04 (Plucky Puffin) Beta released

  Ubuntu 25.04 is due out next month, with a Beta now live for testing so you can see all that's new and report any unexpected issues. This release will have standard support until January 2026, with the next LTS (long-term support) release being in 2026.

  Unless you specifically need the LTS release, you'll be fine to upgrade to this next month. The Beta includes Ubuntu Desktop, Server and Cloud products. In addition to Betas for Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu Budgie, UbuntuKylin, Ubuntu MATE, Ubuntu Studio, Ubuntu Unity and Xubuntu flavours

  This version of Ubuntu includes the recently released Linux kernel 6.14, along with various installer improvements like expanded dual-boot install and upgrade support for Ubuntu sitting alongside Windows with a focus on BitLocker protected Windows systems. You also get updated graphics drivers with Mesa 25.0, and lots of assorted software upgrades.

Also here:

• Ubuntu 25.04 “Plucky Puffin” Beta Released, Stable Version Coming April 17

  Canonical has just dropped an exciting preview of Ubuntu 25.04, affectionately dubbed “Plucky Puffin,” setting the tech community abuzz with anticipation. Scheduled for a stable release on April 17, 2025, this latest iteration promises a blend of cutting-edge features and system improvements that will intrigue both GNU/Linux enthusiasts and everyday users.

Neowin:

• Ubuntu 25.04 'Plucky Puffin' beta released with just weeks until final ISO drops

  Canonical has unveiled the beta version of Ubuntu 25.04 'Plucky Puffin,' offering a sneak peek at the upcoming final release on April 17th.

Late coverage:

• Beta Ubuntu 25.04 ‘Plucky Puffin’ now available

  Canonical has released the beta version of Ubuntu 25.04, codenamed ‘Plucky Puffin’. This release includes Desktop, Server and Cloud application versions and introduces several improvements. The final operating system is scheduled for release on April 17, 2025 and will include an updated Linux kernel 6.14.

  The Ubuntu team has been working on this new version of the popular Linux distribution over the past few months. The beta version is described as fairly free of showstoppers and installation bugs while offering a recent snapshot of what users can expect in the final release next spring.