Ubuntu 25.10 “Questing Quokka” has officially reached end of life, cutting off the security patches and software updates that kept it safe. If you’re still running it, your system will no longer receive fixes — and the recommended path forward is the newly minted Ubuntu 26.04 LTS.
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Why This Matters Now
Ubuntu’s interim releases (the ones ending in .10 and the non-LTS .04s) only get nine months of support. Since 25.10 shipped in October 2025, its clock ran out in July 2026.
After EOL, the repositories stop delivering updates, meaning no more security patches, bug fixes, or new packages — a real risk for any machine connected to the internet.
The Upgrade Target: 26.04 LTS
The obvious destination is Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, released in April 2026. As a Long-Term Support release it comes with:
- 5 years of standard support (through 2031), extendable to 10+ years via Ubuntu Pro
- A newer kernel, updated GNOME desktop, and refreshed toolchains
- Long-term stability, ideal for anyone who doesn’t want to reinstall every nine months
How to Upgrade
First, fully update your current system:
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgradeThen launch the release upgrader:
sudo do-release-upgradeIf the LTS isn’t offered yet, force it explicitly:
sudo do-release-upgrade -dBack up your data first. In-place upgrades are usually smooth, but a clean install from an official ISO is the most reliable route if your system has accumulated cruft.
The Takeaway
Running an end-of-life release is one of the easiest security mistakes to fix. Ubuntu 25.10 was a great interim release, but with updates now cut off, 26.04 LTS is the smart move — five years of support means you can upgrade once and forget about EOL deadlines for a long time.
