Upgrading from Ubuntu 22.04.5 LTS to Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS (GNOME Edition): All Changes Summarized

This guide details every significant change when upgrading from Ubuntu 22.04.5 LTS (Jammy Jellyfish) to Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS (Noble Numbat), focusing specifically on the GNOME variant.

GNOME Desktop Environment

GNOME Version Update

  • From GNOME 42 to GNOME 46, including significant usability and visual improvements.

Interface & UX Changes

  • Quick Settings Menu: Consolidates toggles (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Dark Mode, etc.) with expandable options.
  • Workspace Indicator: Shows active workspace in the top bar (replaces static “Activities”).
  • Expandable Notifications: Easier to read full notification content.
  • Accent Colors & Dark Mode: Selectable accent colors and one-click dark mode toggle.
  • Updated Ubuntu Font: A slimmer, modern design; classic font remains optional (fonts-ubuntu-classic).

Performance & Accessibility Improvements

  • Triple Buffering: Reduces animation stutters.
  • Enhanced multi-monitor handling: Improved compatibility and performance.
  • Improved Touchpad Settings: Better configuration and right-click behavior.
  • Orca Screen Reader: Improved performance and new “sleep mode.”

Visual & UI Enhancements

  • Default Minimal Install: Reduces pre-installed apps; optional “Extended Install” remains.
  • GNOME Snapshot: Replaces Cheese as default webcam app.
  • Loupe Image Viewer: New GPU-accelerated viewer replacing Eye of GNOME.
  • Nautilus (Files): Faster search, folder expansion in list view, better performance, and dynamic transfer indicators.

Wayland, Display, and Graphics

  • Wayland default session: Improved support and stability, now native Wayland for Firefox.
  • Fractional Scaling: Improved multi-DPI monitor support without blur.
  • PipeWire: Default for audio/video processing, fully replaces PulseAudio.
  • NVIDIA Improvements: Improved Wayland compatibility, though some setups default to Xorg for stability.
  • Remote Desktop (RDP): Now fully supported, enabling headless remote GNOME sessions.

Kernel and Hardware Updates

  • Kernel update: From Linux 5.15 to Linux 6.8.
    • Enhanced CPU/GPU performance and power efficiency.
    • Improved support for Intel 12th/13th-gen CPUs, AMD Ryzen 7000, Intel Arc, NVIDIA RTX 4000.
    • Bluetooth 5.x and LE Audio support via BlueZ 5.72.
  • PipeWire 1.0: Mature audio/video handling replacing PulseAudio and JACK.

Performance and Efficiency

  • Reduced Input Latency & Smoother Animations through GNOME improvements.
  • Battery Optimization: Improved laptop battery life via kernel and scheduler enhancements.
  • Optimized Snap Updates: Apps update silently, only apply on next launch; updates can be deferred indefinitely.
  • Faster Boot Times: Kernel and systemd optimizations, improved disk encryption handling.

Applications & Software Management

  • New App Center (Flutter-based):

    • Replaces Ubuntu Software, combines Snap & Deb management.
    • Supports user ratings, reviews, and clearer categories.

  • Firmware Updater: New dedicated app replacing software-center integration.

Default Application Changes

  • Firefox & Thunderbird: Both now default as Snap packages (Thunderbird 115 “Supernova”).
  • Steam: Officially stable Snap with optimized gaming libraries.
  • LibreOffice 24.2 (7.6): Improved compatibility with Microsoft Office.
  • New Default Text Editor: Modern GNOME “Text Editor” replaces Gedit (still available optionally).

Security & Privacy

  • User Namespace Restriction: Controlled via AppArmor, significantly improving kernel security.
  • Improved AppArmor & Seccomp: Updated profiles and stricter security defaults.
  • Camera Indicator: Alerts user when webcam is in use.
  • Permission Controls: Fine-grained app permissions management via Settings.

Encryption Enhancements

  • Experimental TPM-backed disk encryption: No password needed at boot; secures disk via TPM chip.
  • ZFS Encryption: Optional during installation for root filesystem.

Improved PPA Management

  • New .sources format: Embeds GPG keys within source files, automatically removes keys when PPAs are deleted.
  • APT security improvements: Stronger SHA-2/SHA-3 repository signatures.

Installer & Upgrade Experience

  • New Flutter-based Installer:

    • Improved dual-boot guidance and accessibility.
    • Minimal vs. Extended Install options clearly defined.
    • Autoinstall support (autoinstall.yaml) for unattended setups.

  • Upgrade Path Smoother:

    • Automatic app migration (Deb to Snap) during upgrades.
    • Improved conflict handling and smoother transitions.

Packaging: Snap, Flatpak, Deb

  • Snap Improvements: Apps update silently in background; new “hold” feature to defer updates.
  • Flatpak: Not pre-installed, remains available for manual installation.
  • Deb Packages: Improved security handling, continued core system use.

Enterprise & Developer Features

Enterprise Integration

  • Active Directory (ADsys): Enhanced Group Policy support, extensive GPO implementation.
  • Azure AD (Entra ID): Ongoing development for cloud-based login integration (preview state).
  • Intune Support: Official integration for device management and compliance monitoring.

WSL Improvements (Windows Users)

  • Systemd by default: Enables Snap and system services under WSL2.
  • Cloud-init in WSL: Allows automatic configuration of WSL instances.

Developer Toolchain Updates

  • GCC 14, Python 3.12, OpenJDK 21, .NET 8, LLVM 18, Go 1.22, Rust 1.75: Updated default toolchains.
  • Multipass VM: Improved cross-platform experience for Ubuntu VMs.
  • Year 2038 problem solved for ARM32: Now using 64-bit time handling on 32-bit systems.

Containers & Virtualization

  • Updated LXD, Docker, Kubernetes, QEMU/libvirt: Enhanced performance, security, and compatibility.

Ubuntu Pro & Landscape Integration

  • Ubuntu Pro: Expanded security support for universe packages; integrated notification streamlined.
  • Landscape: Simplified enrollment (pro enable landscape) into Canonical’s management solution.

Things to Do After Upgrading

Update Your System 

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade -y
sudo apt autoremove --purge -y

Enable Extra Repositories 

sudo add-apt-repository restricted universe multiverse
sudo apt update

Firmware & Driver Updates

  • Open Firmware Updater.
  • Check drivers via Settings ▸ System ▸ Firmware.

Improve Security and Privacy 

sudo ufw enable
sudo ufw default deny incoming

Review Settings ▸ Privacy for data-sharing preferences.

Backup Your System

  • Install and configure Timeshift:
sudo apt install timeshift

Install Multimedia Codecs 

sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras

Optional Tweaks and Applications

  • GNOME Tweaks & Extensions:
sudo apt install gnome-tweaks gnome-shell-extension-manager
  • Flatpak Support:
sudo apt install flatpak gnome-software-plugin-flatpak
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
  • Essential Applications: Synaptic, VLC, GIMP, Krita, Bitwarden.

Conclusion

Upgrading from Ubuntu 22.04.5 LTS to 24.04.1 LTS delivers substantial improvements in usability, performance, hardware compatibility, and security, along with major developer and enterprise-friendly enhancements.

Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS provides a polished and modern desktop experience, maintaining Ubuntu’s familiar ease-of-use and reliability, and is fully supported until 2029.