Ubuntu 21.04 version, which is dubbed Hirsute Hippo, was released about nine months ago. This version had Linux kernel 5.11 under the hood and introduced the Wayland display server as default first time. The desktop environment used GNOME 3.38 while bringing GNOME 40 applications.
Time to move on
Canonical has declared its EOL while releasing Hirsute Hippo. It was not a long-term support (LTS) version, so its life was rather short; just nine months. The end-of-life day for Hirsute Hippo, which was declared as 20th January 2022, has arrived. From now on, there will be no new official updates or fixes. Which means using this version is no longer safe.
Currently, Ubuntu 21.10 Impish Indri is the most recent version. To upgrade to the Impish Indri, first, you should update your current apps by using the Ubuntu Updater tool or by running the command below in the Terminal:
sudo apt update
sudo apt full-upgrade
As the process completes, reboot your PC and run the command below:
update-manager -c
This will bring a notification to upgrade to Impish Indri. Clicking on the “Upgrade” button will start the process of transitioning to the new version. Just follow the guidance on the interface.
We should note that the Impish Indri is also a short-term version; it will reach end-of-life in June 2022. Canonical is currently developing the next LTS version of Ubuntu, which is 22.04 LTS and named Jammy Jellyfish. It will be arriving in the middle of April this year.
FAQ
What is the latest version of Ubuntu?
The latest LTS version of Ubuntu is 22.04, also known as "Jammy Jellyfish" and it was released on 21 April 2022. Ubuntu 22.04 will be supported until 2027.
What are the system requirements for Ubuntu?
The latest version of Ubuntu's system requirements are:
- 2 GHz dual-core processor or better
- 4 GB system memory
- 25 GB of free hard drive space
- Internet access is helpful
- Either a DVD drive or a USB port for the installer media
Can Ubuntu run on older hardware?
If you have the above requirements, you can run Ubuntu. We do not recommend using the latest version of Ubuntu for older hardware, but you can try older versions of Ubuntu.
Can I run Ubuntu on a virtual machine?
Yes, you can install and use Ubuntu in virtual machines like VMWare or VirtualBox.
How do I enable Ubuntu on Windows 10?
To enable Ubuntu on Windows 10, you should be using at least Windows build 1709. Then you should enable Windows Subsystem for Linux from the Windows Features interface. Now you can download and install Ubuntu from Microsoft Store.
Can Ubuntu be installed on a virtual machine?
Yes, Ubuntu can be installed on a virtual machine. A virtual machine (VM) allows you to run an operating system within another operating system. This means that you can install Ubuntu on a virtual machine and run it on top of your current operating system, without the need to replace it or partition your hard drive. To install Ubuntu on VMWare, you can refer to our article: How to create VM and install a Linux distro on VMWare Workstation