Summary

Fedora Linux has hit the big four-oh!

Fedora at 40

They say life begins at 40.

Whether thats true or not, Fedora Linux certainly seems to have found renewed vigor with this milestone release.

The Fedora 40 default GNOME desktop with a wallpaper showing a blurred forest scene

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Fedora was always a fast distribution, and this time round its even more noticeable.

Coupled with the speed gains in the new GNOME 46 desktop, you get a blazing user experience.

I dont recall using a Linux desktop as fast as this.

The output from neofetch in a terminal on a Fedora 40 Linux computer

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But as well see, theres more to Fedora 40 than speed gains and GNOME 46.

Fedoras official desktop is GNOME, and thats the version we checked out.

But dont let that set the tone.

The Fedora 40 Files browser showing the search function in Preferences

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Fedora 40 isanything but boring.

The immutable spins are now called Atomic Desktops.

These all userpm-ostree, which describes itself as a hybrid image and package manager system.

The file copying indicator in Fedora 40’s Files file Browser

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Images are created, tested, and updated as required, off-line, by the vendor.

Additional local modifications are achieved by adding applications from RPMs, in a process calledlayering.

This gives a very granular means of rolling back from upgrades without affecting user data.

The System option and screen in the Settings application

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In most cases, youll be better served with a regular Fedora spin.

Linux Kernel 6.8

We used a post-release version of Fedora, patched up to date.

This gave us kernel version 6.8.7.

The Remote Login screen in the Settings application

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New kernels bring two categories of benefits.

One is bug fixes and security patches, which are vital in helping protect your rig.

The other benefits are operational improvements or new features.

The On/Off Symbols option in the Settings application

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Kernel 6.8 delivers in both camps.

Intel Shadow Stack is now supported.

Processes can compare the value retrieved from the stack with the value retrieved from the Shadow Stack.

The Online Accounts screen in the Preferences application with the Microsft 365 option highlighted

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Differences between the two values might indicate suspicious or malicious activity.

The new scheduler is said to reduce latency in certain scenarios.

Users of the IBM POWER processor ppc64el can nest virtual machines.

The Microsoft 365 Account dialog. Ignore all fields, and click the blue Sign In button

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Theres also support for the Intel Meteor Lake graphics.

AMD CPUs arent ignored, they receive a collection of performance enhancements.

This means if they are compromised, the threat is more effectively contained.

The second Microsft 365 Account dialog. Click the blue Sign In button

Dave McKay/How-To Geek

The Files file net surf tool now searches globally by default.

Theres a new search facility in Preferences, making it easier to find the option you want to change.

The copying and moving progress indicator has been relocated to the lower-left corner of the Files window.

The Fedora 40 Files borwser with a mounted connection to a OneDrive account

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Clicking it shows further details.

Youll also find a new feature under System > Remote Desktop > Remote Login.

This option requires GNOME 4.6.1, so double-check youre patched up to date.

Youll find the option under Online Accounts > Microsoft 365.

Completely ignore the first dialog that pops up, just nudge the blue “Sign In” button.

go for the blue “Sign In” button on the next dialog that appears.

Your web web client opens, prompting you to drop your Microsoft 365 credentials.

Once youre logged in, your OneDrive will appear in the Files net online gate.

In fact, with the speed increases in this release, you could say it has accelerated.