Ubuntu 25.10 "Questing Quokka," released on October 9, 2025, officially reached end of life today, July 9, 2026. Canonical will no longer issue security patches, bug fixes, or software updates for the release — meaning any unpatched vulnerability in your kernel, browser, or system libraries stays unpatched.
Questing Quokka was an interim release, always slated for a 9-month support window. That's by design: Ubuntu's interim releases ship with bleeding-edge packages — Questing Quokka launched with Linux kernel 6.17 and GNOME 49 — to field-test changes before they're hardened into an LTS baseline. The trade-off is a firm expiry date, and that date is today.
What to Do Right Now
The path forward is clear: upgrade to Ubuntu 26.04 LTS "Resolute Raccoon." It's the current long-term support release, issued in April 2026, and it receives security updates for five years (through 2031) on the standard track — or ten years with a free Ubuntu Pro subscription.
The upgrade path from 25.10 to 26.04 LTS is direct. On a desktop, open Software Updater; it will offer the upgrade now that Questing Quokka has hit EOL. On a server, run sudo do-release-upgrade from the terminal.
Before upgrading: back up your data, and check whether third-party PPAs or custom package sources have been updated for 26.04. Most major software repositories already support the new release, but niche packages occasionally lag a few weeks behind.
What You Get in 26.04 LTS
If you missed the April release, the jump is worthwhile. Ubuntu 26.04 ships with Linux kernel 6.14, GNOME 50, and improved Wayland stability across a broad range of hardware. Notable improvements include a system-wide dark mode, better fractional scaling on HiDPI displays, and a snappier file manager and Settings app.
Server users get updated toolchains: OpenSSH 10.x, Python 3.14, GCC 14, and refreshed database packages across the board. The move from 25.10 to 26.04 is as much a stability upgrade as a feature one — you're trading a snapshot of moving parts for a hardened platform that Canonical will actively support for the next five years.
Why Interim Releases Exist
Ubuntu's six-month release cadence exists so developers and enthusiasts can run the latest kernel and desktop environment before those packages get locked into an LTS cycle. Interim releases are for people who want novelty, can tolerate occasional rough edges, and don't mind a firm end date. If that's you, Ubuntu 25.10 served its purpose. If you run anything that needs to stay secure and stable without constant babysitting, LTS is the right track.
For most people running Questing Quokka, today's announcement is a calendar reminder with teeth. The upgrade to 26.04 LTS is smooth, well-documented, and free. There's no good reason to delay.