Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS is due for release today (August 29), as was the fifth and final point release of the previous long-term support release, Ubuntu 22.04 — but the latter has now been delayed.

As you may recall, the release of Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS was postponed earlier this month after some late breaking issues were detected, and its debut punted to August 29, the same day as the scheduled Ubuntu 22.04.5 LTS release.

Two Ubuntu point releases arriving simultaneously is a rare occurrence, and would have stretched Ubuntu’s QA teams and testing infrastructure too thin.

In an effort to make sure both point releases get the robust testing and attention Ubuntu is famed for providing, Ubuntu 22.04.5 LTS will now arrive 2 weeks later than planned, on September 12th. This breathing room will ensure a better end product.

Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS is not affected, and will be released today — Edit: it’s out.

Not that I imagine this delay, unfortunate as it is, will have much of a real-world impact.

Most people looking to perform a fresh install of Ubuntu will choose the latest long-term support release, which is Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS.

And those who do need the 22.04 series are unlikely to waiting specifically for an 22.04.5 image to install from — if they are, then waiting 2 weeks isn’t a major ask.

A new Ubuntu point release combines all of the software updates, security fixes, and other tweaks released since the previous point releases into a newly-pressed ISO image. This cuts down on the amount of updates that need to be downloaded after installing the OS.

New point releases (bar the first one) also include a new HWE stack comprised of a newer Linux kernel and updated graphics drivers. Ubuntu 22.04.5 LTS will ship with the Linux 6.8 kernel by default, back-ported from Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.

Thankfully, delaying the ISO won’t delay the HWE reaching those who already use Ubuntu 22.04 LTS as the new HWE update rolled out to earlier this month (so re-installing with this now-delayed ISO isn’t required to benefit from the new features in Linux 6.8.

Thanks, Saptarshi