I'm installing Kubuntu on a new SSD as I move away from Windows, and the download page confused me. It lists version 26.04 as the LTS release and 25.10 as the latest release, even though 26.04 has the higher version number. I expected an LTS version to be older than the current release. Does choosing LTS prevent me from getting newer features or updating for several years? Which version should I install if I want frequent updates and to stay reasonably current?
3 Answers
LTS means Long Term Support, not an older version. The version number uses the year and month of release, so 26.04 is newer than 25.10. Since the newest release happens to be an LTS release right now, 26.04 gives you both the newest base system and the longer support period. You can still upgrade to later releases when they become available.
LTS releases typically receive several years of support, while interim releases are supported for only a short period. Interim versions can provide newer features every six months, but they require more frequent upgrades. For a first installation or a machine you want to keep stable, 26.04 is the sensible choice. Choose the interim path only if you specifically want to follow every six-month release and do not mind upgrading regularly.
Some third-party software also targets LTS releases first, so compatibility and installation instructions can be easier on an LTS system.
The download page is probably using “latest release” to mean the latest interim release. Ubuntu-based systems generally release in April and October. April releases in even-numbered years, such as 26.04 and 24.04, are LTS releases; October releases and April releases in odd-numbered years are interim releases. For the period after an LTS release and before the next October release, the LTS version is also the newest available version.
Thanks, that clears it up. I was treating LTS as if it meant an older release rather than a longer support period.