Canonical has released Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS, the fifth point release in the Ubuntu 24.04 LTS "Noble Numbat" series and one that is likely to be the final major refresh of its installation media. The release arrives around six months after Ubuntu 24.04.4 LTS and is aimed primarily at users installing Ubuntu on new systems rather than those already running the operating system.
As with previous point releases, Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS rolls a large collection of accumulated software updates, security fixes, and newer hardware support into a refreshed installer image. That means anyone setting up a new machine can start from a much more current base without needing to download a long list of packages immediately after installation.
A More Up-to-Date Starting Point for New Installations
Point releases are an important part of Ubuntu's long-term support model because they make the installation process considerably more convenient over time. The original Ubuntu 24.04 LTS image was released years earlier, so installing directly from that media today would require a substantial amount of updating before the system was fully current.
Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS reduces that gap by including the latest fixes and package updates that have accumulated across the Noble Numbat lifecycle. For system administrators, desktop users, and organisations deploying Ubuntu across multiple machines, this can make fresh installations faster and less dependent on lengthy post-install downloads.
The release is therefore best understood as a refreshed installation snapshot rather than a completely new Ubuntu generation. Existing Ubuntu 24.04 LTS users already receive the same updates through the normal update mechanism and do not need to reinstall their systems to benefit from them.
Linux 7.0 Brings Another Hardware Enablement Refresh
One of the biggest changes in Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS is the move to the Linux 7.0 kernel, brought over through Ubuntu's hardware enablement stack. This continues Canonical's pattern of introducing newer kernels into long-term support releases so that Ubuntu can better support hardware released after the original LTS launch.
The progression across Ubuntu 24.04 point releases shows how aggressively Canonical has refreshed the hardware stack. Ubuntu 24.04 and 24.04.1 initially shipped with Linux 6.8, while Ubuntu 24.04.2 moved to Linux 6.11, Ubuntu 24.04.3 adopted Linux 6.14, and Ubuntu 24.04.4 introduced Linux 6.17.
Ubuntu 24.04.5 now takes that another step forward with Linux 7.0. For users installing Noble Numbat on newer laptops, desktops, workstations, and other recently released hardware, the newer kernel can improve compatibility with modern processors, chipsets, storage controllers, networking devices, and other components.
Mesa 26.2 Provides a Newer Graphics Stack
The updated kernel is accompanied by Mesa 26.2, giving Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS a much newer open-source graphics stack than the one included with the original 24.04 release.
Mesa plays an important role for users running Intel and AMD graphics hardware, as well as for Linux gaming and applications that rely on OpenGL or Vulkan. A newer Mesa release can bring support for newer GPUs, driver improvements, bug fixes, and performance enhancements that are especially valuable on recently launched hardware.
Both Linux 7.0 and Mesa 26.2 are drawn from the newer Ubuntu 26.04 LTS "Resolute Raccoon" software stack. Bringing those components back into Ubuntu 24.04 LTS allows users to remain on the established Noble Numbat platform while still benefiting from more modern hardware support.
Why Canonical Keeps Updating the Hardware Stack
Long-term support releases are designed to remain useful for many years, but hardware development moves much more quickly than an LTS lifecycle. A laptop released two or three years after an Ubuntu LTS version originally ships may contain hardware that did not even exist when the initial kernel was packaged.
Canonical addresses this through its hardware enablement strategy. Rather than forcing users to upgrade the entire operating system simply to gain support for newer hardware, selected kernel and graphics components from later Ubuntu releases are introduced into supported LTS point releases.
This gives Ubuntu 24.04 LTS a much longer practical lifespan on newer computers. Organisations can continue standardising on an LTS release while gradually deploying it to newer equipment without being tied permanently to the original kernel and graphics stack.
Desktop, Server and Official Ubuntu Flavours Are Included
Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS is available for both Ubuntu Desktop and Ubuntu Server, giving users refreshed installation images across the two main editions.
Canonical's official Ubuntu flavours have also received corresponding 24.04.5 installation media. These include Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu Studio, Edubuntu, Ubuntu Cinnamon, Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu MATE, Ubuntu Unity, and Ubuntu Kylin.
That means users who prefer alternative desktop environments such as KDE Plasma, Xfce, LXQt, MATE, or Cinnamon can benefit from the same updated installation base without switching to the standard Ubuntu desktop experience.
For organisations or enthusiasts maintaining multiple Ubuntu variants, having refreshed media across the entire official family also helps keep deployments consistent.
Existing Ubuntu 24.04 Users Do Not Need to Reinstall
If you are already running Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, Ubuntu 24.04.5 is not something you need to download and install over your existing system.
The same package updates, security fixes, and supported hardware stack changes are delivered through Ubuntu's normal update process. Existing installations can simply continue updating through the Software Updater application or by using the usual package-management commands from the Terminal.
After major kernel or system updates, a reboot may be required so the system can begin using the newest installed kernel and components. Apart from that, there is no special upgrade procedure specifically for moving from an earlier Ubuntu 24.04 point release to 24.04.5.
The new ISO images are mainly intended for clean installations, system recovery, deployment environments, and users setting up Ubuntu on new hardware.
A Better Option for Installing Ubuntu on Recent Hardware
For someone downloading Ubuntu 24.04 LTS today, choosing the 24.04.5 image makes considerably more sense than using one of the original installation images.
The newer media reduces the number of updates required after setup and provides much newer kernel and graphics support from the beginning. That can be particularly important when installing Ubuntu on hardware introduced well after April 2024.
Newer wireless chipsets, GPUs, processors, and storage devices may work more smoothly with the Linux 7.0-based hardware stack. While a newer kernel does not guarantee compatibility with every device, starting with the latest supported LTS installation image generally provides the best chance of avoiding hardware-related problems during setup.
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS Still Has Years of Support Ahead
Despite receiving what may be its final point release, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS itself is far from reaching the end of its supported life.
Canonical provides the release with a minimum of five years of standard maintenance, with software updates and security patches continuing until June 2029. That long support window is one of the main reasons LTS releases are widely used across enterprise desktops, servers, development systems, and other environments where stability matters more than constantly moving to the newest Ubuntu release.
Support can also extend beyond that standard period through Ubuntu Pro. Canonical offers extended security coverage across repositories for up to 10 years, while organisations requiring even longer maintenance can extend coverage to as much as 15 years through the Legacy support option available with Ubuntu Pro.
That gives Ubuntu 24.04 LTS a potential support lifecycle stretching well into the next decade.
Point Releases Matter More Than Their Version Numbers Suggest
Ubuntu point releases sometimes look minor because the version number only changes from something like 24.04.4 to 24.04.5. In practice, however, they are important milestones for deployment.
Each point release consolidates months of fixes into refreshed installation media, reducing the distance between the installer and the fully updated system users actually want to run. They also provide Canonical with a practical way to deliver newer hardware enablement stacks while maintaining the underlying stability of the same LTS release.
For businesses, schools, developers, and home users performing fresh installations, that makes point releases particularly useful. A newer installer means fewer updates immediately after setup, better compatibility with modern hardware, and less time spent bringing a machine up to current patch levels.
Likely the Final Installation Refresh for Noble Numbat
Ubuntu 24.04.5 is expected to be the fifth and possibly final point release for the Noble Numbat series. If that proves to be the case, it effectively becomes the mature installation image that Ubuntu 24.04 LTS users and administrators can rely on for future fresh deployments.
By this stage of an LTS lifecycle, many early issues have already been resolved, the package base has received years of maintenance, and hardware support has expanded substantially compared with the original release.
That makes 24.04.5 particularly attractive for organisations that deliberately wait before standardising on a new LTS version. Rather than adopting Noble Numbat immediately after launch, they can now deploy a significantly more mature version with an updated kernel, newer graphics stack, and accumulated fixes already included.
Final Thoughts
Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS is less about introducing flashy new desktop features and more about keeping one of Canonical's major long-term releases practical on modern hardware. With Linux 7.0, Mesa 26.2, current security fixes, and refreshed installation images, it provides a much better starting point for anyone deploying Noble Numbat today.
Existing Ubuntu 24.04 users can simply continue updating their systems normally, while new installations should generally use the latest 24.04.5 media. The combination of a mature LTS foundation and a considerably newer hardware stack makes this release especially useful for machines that may have struggled with the components included in the original 24.04 images.
And with standard support continuing until 2029—plus considerably longer coverage available through Ubuntu Pro—Noble Numbat still has plenty of life ahead. Even if Ubuntu 24.04.5 does turn out to be its final point release, it leaves the LTS series in a much more modern and deployment-friendly state than where it started.
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