Upgrading Ubuntu 25.04: Upgrade Guide

Upgrading to Ubuntu 25.04, known by the codename "Plucky Puffin," is an important step in keeping your operating system secure and up-to-date. In this guide, we'll walk you through the upgrade process, highlighting the necessary steps and providing helpful tips.

Ubuntu 25.04 features

Version 25.04 was released on April 17, 2025, and will be supported until January 2026 and introduces many new features to the entire operating system:

• Linux Kernel 6.14:
  • New sched_ext scheduler with eBPF support.
  • NTSYNC drivers to improve compatibility with Windows games via Wine/Proton.
  • Separate bpftools and linux-perf tools in dedicated packages.
  • The linux-lowlatency package has been replaced by linux-generic with a new userspace.
• Systemd 257.4:
  • Disabled utmp by default.
  • End of support for cgroup v1 expected in next release.
  • Deprecated System V service scripts, in preparation for removal in systemd 258.
• Netplan 1.1.2:
  • Support for WPA-PSK-SHA256.
  • Ability to configure routing policies with Network Manager.
  • DNS wait included in systemd-networkd-wait-online command.
• Updated toolchain:
  • GCC 15 (snapshot)
  • Binutils 2.44
  • glibc 2.41
  • Python 3.13.3
  • LLVM 20
  • Rust (latest version available)

System Requirements.

Ubuntu 25.04 minimum requirements

• Processor: 2 Ghz dual core x86
• RAM Memory: 2 GiB
• Disk Space: 25 GiB
• Video card: 3D video acceleration, 1024x768 resolution, 128 MiB of memory

Ubuntu 25.04 recommended requirements

• Processor: 2 Ghz dual core x86
• RAM Memory: 4 GiB
• Disk Space: 25 GiB
• Video card: 3D video acceleration, 1280x1024 resolution, 256 MiB memory

Preparation for the upgrade

Before proceeding with the upgrade, it is essential to make some preparations:

• Data backup: Be sure to make a full backup of your important data. You can follow the official backup guide for detailed instructions.
• Check disk space: Check that you have enough disk space to install the upgrade.

• Upgrade your current system: Before upgrading to Ubuntu 25.04, make sure your current system is up to date. You can do this with the following commands:

  sudo apt update

  sudo apt upgrade

Procedure for upgrading to Ubuntu 25.04

Follow these steps to upgrade to Ubuntu 25.04:

1. Open the terminal: You can do this by searching for "Terminal" in the application menu.

2. Install the upgrade software

   sudo apt install update-manager-core

3. Edit the file /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades

   sudo nano /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades.

4. Make sure there is a line reporting the following line, if it is different or missing, add it and save the file

   Prompt=normal

5. Start the upgrade: Run the following command in the terminal

   sudo do-release-upgrade

6. Follow the instructions: During the upgrade process, follow the on-screen instructions. You will need to confirm some actions.
7. Reboot the system: Once the upgrade is complete, reboot the computer to apply the changes.

Common problems and solutions

During the upgrade, you may encounter some problems. Here are some common solutions:

• Insufficient disk space: Remove unnecessary files or packages to free up space.
• Network error: Check your Internet connection and try again.
• Blocked packages: Use the command sudo dpkg --configure -a to resolve any unconfigured packages.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Q: Can I cancel the upgrade if I start experiencing problems?

A: Yes, you can abort the upgrade, but you may have to repair the system later.

Q: Is a backup necessary before the upgrade?

A: Yes, a backup is essential to avoid data loss, in the case of a virtual machine a snapshot before the upgrade can make restorations immediate

Q: Where can I download Ubuntu 25.04?

A: You can download the .iso images for all versions from this link to the official Ubuntu image repository.

Q: Can I upgrade directly from Ubuntu 24.10 to 25.10?

A: You need to upgrade step by step every release in this case before to 25.04 following this guide. If you’ve already upgraded to Ubuntu 25.04 and want to stay on the latest release, you can follow our Ubuntu 25.10 upgrade guide for a smooth transition. It explains the key changes, upgrade steps, and how to ensure your system remains stable

Conclusion

Upgrading to Ubuntu 25.04 is a relatively simple process, but it requires care and preparation. Be sure to follow the steps outlined and proactively troubleshoot any problems. If you need help, try our Ubuntu Consulting and Management services. Now 30 minutes Free!