Fedora Linux 44 Released with GNOME 50 and KDE Plasma 6.6

The Fedora Project released Fedora Linux 44 on May 13, 2025. This update brings significant changes to the desktop environment and underlying system components. The distribution now includes GNOME 50, KDE Plasma 6.6, and Budgie 10.10 as supported desktop options. Fedora continues to evolve its software stack to support modern hardware and user workflows.

Fedora 44 updates the GNU toolchain with gcc 16.1, binutils 2.46, glibc 2.43, and gdb 16.3. The release also incorporates LLVM 22 to improve compilation performance. A key change involves the NTSYNC kernel module, which is now enabled by default for Windows and Steam compatibility packages. This adjustment aims to enhance the experience for users running Windows applications through compatibility layers.

Fedora 44 update includes GNOME 50, KDE Plasma 6.6, and Budgie 10.10 desktop environments

Storage management receives an update with Stratis 3.9.0. This version introduces online encryption, decryption, and reencryption capabilities. These features allow administrators to manage storage security without taking systems offline. The update supports dynamic volume management for enterprise and desktop users alike.

The operating system sets specific hardware requirements for installation. Standard editions require a 2 GHz quad-core processor, 4 GB of RAM, and 20 GB of drive space. Less demanding spins can operate on a 2 GHz dual-core processor with 2 GB of memory and 15 GB of drive space. These minimums ensure the system functions correctly across a range of devices.

Fedora Linux 44 Key Specifications

Fedora 44 is available globally as of the release date. The project provides the software through standard distribution channels. Users can download the latest version to access the new desktop environments and system updates.