Ubuntu Desktop 18.04.5 LTS - USB

Version 18.04.5 Release Date: August 13, 2020

NOTE: This distro comes on a USB 2.0/3.0 flash drive. This version of Ubuntu is only available as a 64 bit version.

About Ubuntu

Codenamed "Bionic Beaver", 18.04 continues Ubuntu's proud tradition of integrating the latest and greatest open source technologies into a high-quality, easy-to-use Linux distribution. The team has been hard at work through this cycle, introducing new features and fixing bugs.

Under the hood, there have been updates to many core packages, including a new 4.4-based kernel.

Support lifespan

The 'main' archive of Ubuntu 18.04 LTS will be supported for 5 years until April 2023. 

New features in 18.04 LTS

Linux kernel 4.15

Ubuntu 18.04 ships with a v4.15 based Linux kernel, enabling the latest hardware and peripherals available from IBM, Intel, and others. The 18.04 kernel delivers new features inherited from upstream, including:

• CPU controller for the cgroup v2 interface
• AMD secure memory encryption support
• The latest MD driver with software RAID enhancements
• Improved power management for systems with SATA Link Power Management

We also see notable Ubuntu specific achievements with:

• Linux security module stacking support
• Support for signing of POWER host and NV kernels
• Backport improved support for IBM and Intel hardware from Linux 4.16

OpenJDK

As of 18.04 release, OpenJDK 10 is the default JRE/JDK. Once OpenJDK 11 reaches GA in September 2018, it will become the default in 18.04.

OpenJDK 8 has moved to universe and will remain available there for the life of 18.04, to provide migration time for packages, custom applications, or scripts that can't be build with OpenJDK 10 or 11. OpenJDK 8 will be updated in 18.04 until Ubuntu 16.04 LTS reaches EOL in April 2021.

Security Improvements

In Ubuntu 18.04 LTS, gcc is now set to default to compile applications as position independent executables (PIE) as well as with immediate binding, to make more effective use of Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR). All packages in main have been rebuilt to take advantage of this, with a few exceptions.

Other highlights since 16.04 LTS

• 32-bit installer images are no longer provided for Ubuntu Desktop.

• The Ubuntu Desktop now uses GNOME instead of Unity.

• GDM has replaced LightDM as the default display manager. The login screen now uses virtual terminal 1 instead of virtual terminal 7.

• Window control buttons are back on the right.

• Driverless printing support is now available.

• GNOME's built-in screen keyboard is used instead of Onboard.

• Calendar has a Week View and supports recurring events.

• These apps have received major user interface redesigns: Disk Usage Analyzer, Files (nautilus), Remmina, Settings, and Ubuntu Software.

• System Log has been replaced by Logs, an app to view logs from the systemd journal.

• Many GNOME apps now have a Keyboard Shortcuts popup available in the app menu.

• gconf is no longer installed by default since it has long been superseded by gsettings. Note that statistics and preferences for the Aisleriot card games will be reset when upgrading from 16.04 LTS or 16.10. gconf will be removed from the Ubuntu package archives in a future Ubuntu release.

• The Ubuntu GNOME flavor has been discontinued. If you are using Ubuntu GNOME, you will be upgraded to Ubuntu. Choose the Ubuntu session from the cog on the login screen if you would like the default Ubuntu experience.

• Install gnome-session then restart your computer and choose GNOME (or GNOME on Wayland) from the cog on the login screen if you would like to try a more upstream version of GNOME. If you'd like to also install more core apps, install the vanilla-gnome-desktop metapackage.

Ubuntu comes with everything you need to run your organisation, school, home or enterprise. All the essential applications, like an office suite, browsers, email and media apps come pre-installed and thousands more games and applications are available in the Ubuntu software centre.

Open source

Ubuntu has always been free to download, use and share. We believe in the power of open source software; Ubuntu could not exist without its worldwide community of voluntary developers.

Secure

With a built-in firewall and virus protection software, Ubuntu is one of the most secure operating systems around. And the Long Term Support releases give you five years of security patches and updates.

Accessible

Computing is for everyone regardless of nationality, gender or disability. Ubuntu is fully translated into over 40 languages and includes essential assistive technologies.

Looks great on the latest hardware

Ubuntu is designed to work beautifully on the latest laptops, desktops and touch screen devices, it looks incredible on high resolution screens — and with touch screen enhancements and interface refinements including individual menu bars in each application window, it’s now even easier to use.

Recommended system requirements:

• 2 GHz dual core processor or better
• 2 GB system memory
• 25 GB of free hard drive space
• Either a DVD drive or a USB port for the installer media
• Internet access is helpful