Linux Lite 8.0 RC1 has been released - Click here



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Linux Lite 8.0 RC1 Released
#1
Release Announcement

Linux Lite 8.0 RC1 is now available for testing.

[Image: ucQ8I22.png]

See below for more details. This announcement lists all changes from Series 7.x
A full write-up with images will be in the Final Forum announcement on 1st June.

Linux Lite 8.0 Final will be released on 1st June, 2026.


Linux Lite 8.0 - Changes and New Features
==========================================

Base: Ubuntu 26.04 LTS (Resolute)
Desktop: XFCE with LightDM
Codename: Hematite
Kernel: Linux 7.0 (Linux Lite Advanced Performance Kernels)


PLATFORM CHANGES
----------------
- Based on Ubuntu 26.04 LTS (up from 24.04 LTS)
- Ubuntu codename: noble -> resolute
- Linux Lite codename: galena -> hematite
- NEW Linux Lite High Performance Custom Kernels
- All GUI applications ported to GTK4 (from GTK3/WebKit2)
- APT sources migrated to DEB822 .sources format (replaces .list files)
- Installer: Calamares replaces Ubiquity
- Python 3.14.4+ (up from 3.12)
- New Plymouth boot theme: animated feather spinner (script-based, replaces text-based)
- OEM installer for hardware vendors

NEW APPLICATIONS
----------------
- Firefox is back
- Lite Distro Builder: create YOUR own version of Linux Lite and share it with others
- Lite About: New GTK4 system information app displaying CPU, GPU, memory, storage, network, and audio hardware details
- Lite System Monitor: Real-time CPU, memory, storage, and network monitoring (based on System Monitoring Center by Hakan Dundar)
- Linux Lite High Performance Custom Kernels (see below)
- Lite Core: strip Linux Lite down to it's bones and build it your way
- Starship replaces Powerline in the Terminal, significant start up difference

LINUX LITE HIGH PERFORMANCE CUSTOM KERNELS
----------------
Linux Lite ships with a custom kernel built specifically for desktop and gaming use on everyday hardware. It is based on the latest Ubuntu kernel source and incorporates a curated set of patches from the community, alongside targeted configuration improvements.

The Two Kernels

linuxlite — default desktop kernel

This is what every Linux Lite installation boots into. It prioritises a smooth, responsive desktop experience for everyday tasks: web browsing, office work, media playback, and general use.

linuxlite-gaming — optional gaming kernel

This kernel goes further in reducing input lag and improving frame delivery. It is best suited to users who play games regularly or run audio/video production software where timing matters. It can be installed at any time after setup without removing the default kernel.

Both kernels take advantage of the EEVDF scheduler. On top of this, both kernels include the full BORE scheduler modification (Burst-Oriented Response Enhancer).
BORE tracks each task’s burst time — how long it runs in short, intense bursts — and uses this to bias scheduling decisions. Tasks that have been waiting and then run in short bursts (like a desktop application repainting its window or a game processing a frame) receive a priority boost, keeping interactive work feeling snappy even under heavy background load. BORE is controlled by a dedicated CONFIG_SCHED_BORE kernel option and exposes several sysctl tunables under kernel.sched_bore for fine-tuning.

The two kernels differ in how aggressively they allow the scheduler to interrupt running work:

- linuxlite uses dynamic preemption, which balances throughput and responsiveness. It can switch between modes at runtime.
- linuxlite-gaming uses full preemption, which allows the kernel to interrupt almost any running task immediately. This reduces the worst-case delay before a game or audio application gets CPU time.

These kernels also ship with a new application - Lite Kernel Manager which has all of the features shown below:

[Image: 5QnuvqO.png]

There are so many kernel optimisations that we've had to create to full web pages explaining all the features.

Please visit:

https://mityer.khdlhfjijfrupr.tk/linux-lite-kernel.html

and:

https://mityer.khdlhfjijfrupr.tk/linux-lite-k...rison.html

Benchmarking

Lite Kernel Manager also features a benchmarking tool where people can upload their scores. This should present a unique opportunity for people to squeeze every ounce of performance out of their Kernel tuned systems.

https://mityer.khdlhfjijfrupr.tk/benchmark.php

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NOTE: Please run Install Updates after a fresh install to get the latest version of Lite Kernel Manager.


CALAMARES
-----------
- Replaces Ubiquity installer
- Slides translated into 25 languages for both install types OEM and normal install (will need help verifying the accuracy of translations)
- Internet not required for install
- Apt now defaults to the City you chose during install (Ubuntu mirror) eg. Netherlands - new sources file:

Code:
Types: deb deb-src
URIs: http://nl.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/
Suites: resolute resolute-updates resolute-backports
Components: main restricted universe multiverse
Signed-By: /usr/share/keyrings/ubuntu-archive-keyring.gpg

WIKI
-----------
- To be updated to Series 8 information during the month of May

DESKTOP
-----------
- Translated into 23 languages

OEM
-----------
- Full vendor support for companies wishing to deploy laptops/desktops in a fast, efficient process
- Translated into 25 languages

LITE TWEAKS
-----------
- Toast notification system for user feedback on actions
- Real-time streaming progress bars with stage-based updates
- Service Manager feedback: progress labels and button disabling for Preload, zRAM, and TLP services
- Toast notifications for Numlock, Hostname, Save Session, Kiosk Mode, batch operation completion, and Hibernate/Suspend reboot notice
- Package System Repair updated for DEB822 .sources format with Architectures and Signed-By fields
- Bootup Fix updated to use new linuxlite Plymouth theme
- Kernel management removed for Series 8 - now handled by Lite Kernel Manager
- Browser cache cleaning supports Brave, Chrome, Chromium, Firefox, Edge, Midori, Opera, Palemoon, and Vivaldi


LITE DISTRO BUILDER
-------------------
- Create your own version of Linux Lite
- New Cancel button to stop build processes at any time
- Uses VTE process group signaling (SIGTERM) for clean termination
- GRUB2 hybrid BIOS+UEFI boot support
- Squashfs compression with casper integration
- MD5/SHA256 checksum generation
- Option to wwitch to zstd compression during ISO build, much less memory, much faster compression and decompression (faster live boot too) slightly larger output — typically 5-10% bigger than xz

LITE CORE
-------------------
- After you install Linux Lite, launch Lite Core if you want to strip your Linux Lite down to the bare essentials.
- Then install the applications that you want to run on your PC.

[Image: xaUtbZx.png]

LITE SOURCES
------------
- DEB822 format support for APT source management
- 22 global repository mirrors (Brazil, China, Germany, Ecuador, England, Greece, Hong Kong, Indonesia, New Caledonia, Netherlands, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, USA, Vietnam, and more)
- Significantly faster and more reliable repo availability checking

LITE SOFTWARE
-------------
- GTK4 interface for software installation and removal
- Integrated tools: Lite About, Lite Updates, Lite DPI, Lite Firewall, Config, Lite Network Shares, Lite System Report, Lite Wiki

LITE INFO (Hardware Database)
----------------
- Hardware information gathering and anonymous upload to Linux Lite hardware database
- VM detection via hypervisor check
- Significantly faster system scan process
- Uses latest inxi for hardware enumeration
- HTTPS upload pipeline to linuxliteos.com

LITE UPGRADE
------------
- Within-Series upgrade tool (8.0 -> 8.2)
- Internet connectivity verification
- Repository health checks
- Version validation via /etc/llver

LITE SERIES UPGRADE (Series 7 -> 8)
------------------------------------
- Full Series 7 to Series 8 upgrade path
- Dry Run mode to simulate upgrade without changes
- Real-time progress bar with download speed display
- Live scrolling log viewer
- DEB822 source file deployment (linuxlite.sources, ubuntu.sources, mozillateam-ubuntu-ppa-noble.sources)
- APT sources backup before modifications
- Battery/power check warning for laptop users
- Automatic desktop launcher trust and executable marking for all users
- XFCE wallpaper restoration after upgrade
- Broadcom b43 firmware URL fix via dpkg-divert
- Legacy upgrade tool (series7) force-removal
- Unhold of zenity, zenity-common, and inxi packages
- Plymouth theme set to new linuxlite theme
- GRUB and initramfs rebuild
- Clean up of old .list files and sources.list

LITE WELCOME
------------
- GTK4 welcome screen
- Live mode detection with installer shortcut
- Autostart toggle
- Cairo rendering for VM compatibility

LITE THEME MANAGER
------------------
- GTK4 interface for theme, icon, and cursor selection
- NEW Folder Color choices
- Custom ActionRow widgets

LITE USER MANAGER
-----------------
- GTK4 user and group management
- User creation, deletion, and modification
- Home directory and shell configuration
- Filters system users (UID < 1000)

LITE DRIVER MANAGER
-------------------
- Based on Linux Mint Drivers
- PackageKit and ubuntu-drivers-common backend
- GTK4 interface for proprietary driver installation
- New features, Refresh button, default to open-source driver recommendation, proprietary driver option gives user comprehensive information about any potential risks

LITE WIDGET
---------------
- More system information added
- Automatic region detection for Weather section

LITE AUTO LOGIN
---------------
- GTK4 auto-login configuration
- LightDM configuration management
- Optional timestamped backups

LITE SOUNDS
-----------
- System sound management (login, logout, audible clicks)
- Autostart support for login sounds

LITE THEMES
-----------
- Collection of Xfce/GTK themes, mouse cursors, and icon themes
- 45 New wallpapers
- NEW default Themes - Linux Lite & Linux Dark (based on Orchis theme)
- Option to change to one of 14 different folder colors

BOOT TIME
---------------
- Significant start up and shutdown improvement times over Series 7.x

PLYMOUTH THEME
--------------
- New animated feather spinner boot screen
- Script-based theme at /usr/share/plymouth/themes/linuxlite/

APT SOURCE FILES (DEB822 FORMAT)
--------------------------------
- linuxlite.sources: Linux Lite hematite repo with Architectures and Signed-By fields
- ubuntu.sources: Ubuntu resolute repos (main, restricted, universe, multiverse, updates, backports, security)
- mozillateam-ubuntu-ppa-noble.sources: Mozilla Team PPA with inline PGP key for Firefox

BIOS Settings (important)

CSM: Enabled
Secureboot: Disabled

Known Issues:

Please enter them into this thread. Thank you.

What we most want to hear Feedback about:

- Lite Core
- New Installer (Calamares)
- Lite Distro Builder
- Lite Driver Manager
- Lite Tweaks

Huge thank you to our Sponsor:

[Image: 7DbL6Gl.png]

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Downloads:

Release Name: Linux Lite 8.0 RC1
Size: 2.6Gb (DVD, USB)

Download Linux Lite 8.0 RC1 from one of the mirrors: (some may still be syncing)

HTTP & HTTPS:

https://sourceforge.net/projects/linux-l...s/8.0/rc1/

China - https://mirrors.sjtug.sjtu.edu.cn/linuxliteos/isos/
Ecuador - http://mirror.ueb.edu.ec/linuxliteos/isos/
Ecuador - https://mirror.cedia.org.ec/linuxliteos/isos//
Germany - http://mirror.alpix.eu/linuxliteos/isos/
Germany - https://mirror.alpix.eu/linuxliteos/isos/
Greece - http://ftp.cc.uoc.gr/mirrors/linux/linuxlite/isos/
Greece - https://fosszone.csd.auth.gr/linuxlite/isos/
Hong Kong - http://mirror-hk.koddos.net/linuxlite/isos/
Hong Kong - https://mirror-hk.koddos.net/linuxlite/isos/
Netherlands - https://mirror.koddos.net/linuxlite/isos/
New Caledonia - http://mirror.lagoon.nc/linuxlite/linuxlite/isos/
Singapore - https://mirror.freedif.org/LinuxLiteOS/isos/
Sweden - http://ftpmirror1.infania.net/linuxlite/isos/
Sweden - https://mirror.accum.se/mirror/linuxliteos.com/isos/
United Kingdom - https://www.mirrorservice.org/sites/repo...lite/isos/
United Kingdom - https://mirror.vinehost.net/linuxlite/isos/
USA - http://mirror.clarkson.edu/linux-lite/isos/

Checking the MD5SUM of the Linux Lite ISO:

Open a Terminal on Linux Lite and do:

Code:
md5sum linux-lite-8.0-rc1-64bit.iso

MD5SUM: 7c52d38c149c0bc3b9f5eb6356d6e2d1

Check that it matches the exact characters in sequence above.


Checking the SHA256 of the Linux Lite ISO:

Open a Terminal on Linux Lite and do:

Code:
sha256sum linux-lite-8.0-rc1-64bit.iso

SHA256: 1f43a472dc319bb9d407a3fbfccbcb6ca7705e434f4fd4e93d854784d438f457

Check that it matches the exact characters in sequence above.


TORRENT (Fastest way to download the RC - please help to Seed, thank you)

https://sourceforge.net/projects/linux-l...t/download

64bit Torrent - linux-lite-8.0-rc1-64bit.iso.torrent
Hash: b89c83656da0028717d4c5f96e06627fd29099e6
Size: 2.6Gb (DVD, USB)

Live USB/DVD/VirtualBox/Vmware:


Recommended Computer Requirements:

1.5 Ghz Dual Core Processor or greater
4GB ram
40GB HDD/SSD/NVME
VGA, DVI, DP or HDMI screen capable of 1366x768 resolution
DVD drive or USB port for the ISO image
Disable Secure Boot

Login to the live desktop is automatic.

As this is a RC release, there are bound to be bugs etc. Please help make the final stable for other people by participating in this RC. Please report any bugs and feedback in this thread.


Thank you

Jerry and the team.
Download your free copy of Linux Lite today.

Jerry Bezencon
Linux Lite Creator

"Do not correct a fool, or he will hate you; correct a wise man and he will appreciate you."

[Image: X5qGkCg.png]

[Image: 0op1GNe.png] [Image: LgJ2mtP.png] [Image: vLZcFUE.png] [Image: lrUHro3.jpg]
Reply
#2
Congrats, Jerry and team!
And many thanks for all the hours and hard work over so many years.

This is a massive upgrade! Certainly not reflected by the jump from 7 to just 8 Wink



I just downloaded the ISO via:

* https -> md5: 5cefb0c128c285d8a61cc883cc5a7ede as mentioned in linux-lite-8.0-rc1-64bit.iso.md5

* torrent -> md5: 5cefb0c128c285d8a61cc883cc5a7ede

BUT in your release notes above is mentioned: MD5SUM: 7c52d38c149c0bc3b9f5eb6356d6e2d1
Reply
#3
Thank you for the new release.  Looking forward to trying it.

Getting the same issue as LL-User regarding checksums in the release announcement.
Downloaded from University of Kent mirror

Code:
md5sum linux-lite-8.0-rc1-64bit.iso
gave
Code:
5cefb0c128c285d8a61cc883cc5a7ede linux-lite-8.0-rc1-64bit.iso
This matches the value saved on the mirror. Whereas the release announcement suggests
Code:
7c52d38c149c0bc3b9f5eb6356d6e2d1


Similar with the sha256sum
Code:
sha256sum linux-lite-8.0-rc1-64bit.iso
gave
Code:
c5c3985d9a7acede97d2575e9ad5d5ca4326737565cb1e4dd7bb647c228a410f  linux-lite-8.0-rc1-64bit.iso
which matches the mirror value, but not the release announcement.
Code:
1f43a472dc319bb9d407a3fbfccbcb6ca7705e434f4fd4e93d854784d438f457
stevef
clueless
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