Template:Short description Template:Distinguish Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox OS Kubuntu (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell)<ref name=:0>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> is an official flavor of the Ubuntu operating system that uses the KDE Plasma Desktop Environment instead of the GNOME desktop environment. As part of the Ubuntu project, Kubuntu uses the same underlying systems. Kubuntu shares the same repositories as Ubuntu<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and is released regularly on the same schedule as Ubuntu.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Kubuntu was sponsored by Canonical Ltd. until 2012, and then directly by Blue Systems. Now, employees of Blue Systems contribute upstream to KDE and Debian, and Kubuntu development is led by community contributors. During the changeover, Kubuntu retained the use of Ubuntu project servers and existing developers.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

NameEdit

"Kubuntu" is a registered trademark held by Canonical.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It is derived from the name Ubuntu, prefixing a K to represent the KDE platform that Kubuntu is built upon (following a widespread naming convention of prefixing K to the name of any software released for use on KDE platforms), as well as the KDE community.

{{#invoke:Lang|lang}} is a Bantu term translating roughly to 'humanity'. Since Bantu grammar involves prefixes to form noun classes, and the prefix {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} has the meaning 'toward' in Bemba, {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} is therefore also a meaningful Bemba word or phrase translating to 'toward humanity'. Reportedly, the same word, by coincidence, also takes the meaning of 'free' (in the sense of 'without payment') in Kirundi.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Comparison with UbuntuEdit

Kubuntu typically differs from Ubuntu in graphical applications and tools:

Software Ubuntu Kubuntu
Kernel and core Linux kernel and Ubuntu core
Display server X.Org Server and Wayland
Sound server PipeWire
Multimedia GNOME Videos and Rhythmbox VLC and Elisa
Window manager Mutter KWin
Desktop Environment GNOME Plasma Desktop
Primary toolkit GTK Qt
Browser Firefox
Office suite LibreOffice
Email and PIM Thunderbird

HistoryEdit

Development started back in December 2004 at the Ubuntu Mataró Conference in Mataró, Spain<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> when a Canonical employee Andreas Mueller, from Gnoppix, had the idea to make an Ubuntu KDE variant and got the approval from Mark Shuttleworth to start the first Ubuntu variant, called Kubuntu. On the same evening Chris Halls from the OpenOffice.org project and Jonathan Riddell from KDE started volunteering on the newborn project.

Shortly after Ubuntu was started, Mark Shuttleworth stated in an interview that he recognized the need for the KDE-based distribution in order to maintain diversity in Linux distributions, which in his belief aligns with Ubuntu project's overall purpose of increasing the adoption of free software.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

K Desktop Environment 3 was used as default interface until Kubuntu 8.04. That version included KDE Plasma Desktop as unsupported option which became default in the subsequent release, 8.10.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On Template:Start date, Canonical employee Jonathan Riddell announced the end of Canonical's Kubuntu sponsorship.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On Template:Start date, Blue Systems was announced on the Kubuntu website as the new sponsor.<ref name=BlueSponsor/> As a result, both developers employed by Canonical to work on Kubuntu–Jonathan Riddell and Aurélien Gâteau–transferred to Blue Systems.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Since 2019, Kubuntu has partnered with MindShare Inc. to offer "Kubuntu Focus" laptops and mini-PCs optimized and supported specifically for the LTS releases.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

ReleasesEdit

Kubuntu follows the same naming/versioning system as Ubuntu, with each release having a code name and a version number (based on the year and month of release). Canonical provides support and security updates for Kubuntu components that are shared with Ubuntu for 18 months – five years in case of long-term support (LTS) versions – after release.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Both a desktop version and an alternative (installation) version (for the x86 and AMD64 platforms) are available. Kubuntu CDs were also available through the ShipIt service (which was discontinued as of April 2011).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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Linux kernel KDE Plasma Qt Notes
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colspan=2 rowspan=20 Template:N/A Initial release including KDE 3.4 and a selection of the most useful KDE programs. Some of these are not in the official KDE itself, including Amarok, Kaffeine, Gwenview, and K3b. Inclusion of update-manager/upgrade-notifier; Kickstart compatibility.
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KDE 3.4.3 and the Guidance configuration tools. It also comes with the Adept Package Manager, the first to make use of debtags for easier searching (replacing the Kynaptic package manager used in the previous release); System Settings, a re-organised kcontrol-like centre and KDE Bluetooth; Graphical boot process with progress bar (Usplash); OEM Installer Support; Launchpad tracking; GCC 4.0.
6.06 LTS
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Long Term Support (LTS) release; Live CD and Installer on one disc; Ubiquity installer; Adept Notifier and Simplified Installer; X Display Configuration from Guidance; Better Asian language support; Avahi networking software.
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Edgy Eft 2008-04 2.6.17<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> KDE 3.5.5. This release adds the photo management application digiKam and accessibility profiles–benefiting people with disabilities. System Settings is also redesigned, and power management, laptop button support & networking are improved. Also features automated problem reports and Upstart.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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7.04
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KDE 3.5.6; Migration assistant; KVM; Easy codec/restricted drivers installation; System Settings restructured into General and Advanced categories; Improved Hewlett-Packard printer management; KNetworkManager included; WPA support; Topic-based help system; OEM installer update; PowerPC support officially dropped.
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New background art. Ships with Strigi and Dolphin by default. Qt port of GDebi graphical installer for package files. Includes Restricted Drivers Manager for the first time.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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It has two versions: KDE 3.5 and KDE 4.0 (With community support only). This version intends to provide feature parity with GNOME-based Ubuntu.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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}}</ref> and automatic grabbing and releasing of the mouse cursor when running on a VMware virtual machine. Unlike its Ubuntu counterpart, which is a long-term support release, Kubuntu 8.04 is not.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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KDE 4.1.2 desktop environment by default, Linux 2.6.27, Xserver 1.5, Adept Manager 3, KNetworkManager 0.7, KWin desktop effects by default, various Kubuntu tool integration.
9.04 2009-04-23 Jaunty Jackalope 2010-10 citation CitationClass=web

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KDE 4.2.2 desktop environment by default, kernel 2.6.28, Xserver 1.6, Adept superseded by KPackageKit,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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KDE 4.3.2 desktop environment by default, GRUB 2, init system moved to Upstart, kernel 2.6.31
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Long Term Support (LTS) release. Security updates will be available for three years for desktops and five years for servers. KDE 4.4.2 desktop environment by default, kernel 2.6.32, KPackageKit 0.5.4, Firefox KDE integration, touchpad configuration module by default.
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KDE Software Compilation 4.5. Faster login. Default browser changed to rekonq. New Bluetooth stack. PulseAudio inclusion. Updated KPackageKit with categories. Global menu for netbook. Updated Installer. Combining of the Desktop and Netbook Editions (autodetection).
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Natty Narwhal 2012-10-28 2.6.38 KDE SC 4.6, GStreamer multimedia backend for Phonon, GTK Oxygen theme, games in the default install, UDisks and UPower replace HAL.
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Oneiric Ocelot 2013-05-09 3.0.3 KDE SC 4.7, replacing KPackageKit with Muon Software Centre, Kubuntu low fat setting, OpenGL ES Powered Desktop Effects, KDE-PIM 4.7.2<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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Precise Pangolin 2017-04-28 3.2.0 The third Kubuntu LTS release. KDE SC 4.8
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Quantal Quetzal 2014-04 citation CitationClass=web

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LibreOffice 3.6.2.2, rekonq 1.1, KDE SC 4.9.2
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Raring Ringtail 2014-01<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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KDE SC 4.10, Muon Suite 2, LibreOffice 4, Optional Homerun launcher, out-of-the-box MTP support
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Saucy Salamander 2014-07-17 citation CitationClass=web

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KDE SC 4.11.2, LibreOffice 4.1.2 rc3
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Trusty Tahr 2019-04-25<ref name=TrustyXenialEOL>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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KDE SC 4.13.0, LibreOffice 4.2.3.3. Default browser changed back to Firefox.
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KDE SC 4.14, KDE Plasma 5 as technical preview.
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Vivid Vervet 2015-12 3.19 5.2.2 rowspan=8 Template:N/A KDE Plasma 5.2.2 is now the default desktop environment. Adaptation to systemd and to SDDM. Behind-the-scenes work on the change to Wayland.
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Wily Werewolf 2016-07-22 citation CitationClass=web

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Firefox 41.0, LibreOffice 5.0.
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Firefox 45, LibreOffice 5.1
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Yakkety Yak 2017-07-20 4.8 5.7.5 KDE Applications 16.04.3, KDE Frameworks 5.26.0, LibreOffice 5.2, Firefox 49
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Zesty Zapus 2018-01-11 4.10 5.9 KDE Applications 16.12.3, KDE Frameworks 5.31, LibreOffice 5.3, Firefox 52
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Artful Aardvark 2018-07-19 4.13 5.10 KDE Applications 17.04.3, KDE Frameworks 5.38, LibreOffice 5.4.1, Firefox 56, Cantata replaces Amarok as audio player, VLC media player replaces Dragon Player as media player
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4.15 5.12 LTS LibreOffice 6.0 and Firefox 59; double-click is now default to open files; file indexing default changed to "basic" only (not file content).<ref name=bionicreleasenotes>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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18.10 2018-10-18<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Cosmic Cuttlefish 2019-07-18<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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4.18 5.13 KDE Applications 18.04.3, KDE Frameworks 5.50, LibreOffice 6.1.2, Firefox 63; snap integration by default in software centre, Plasma Wayland session-can be installed for testing (but is not supported), fingerprint scanner support, only available in 64-bit ISO images<ref name=cosmicreleasenotes>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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5.0 5.15.4 5.12.2 KDE Applications 18.12.3, KDE Frameworks 5.56, LibreOffice 6.2.2, Firefox 66, KDE Connect 1.3.4, KDevelop 5.3.2, Krita 4.1.7, Latte Dock 0.8.8<ref name="discoreleaseblog">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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5.3 5.16.5 5.12.4 KDE Applications 19.04.3, KDE Frameworks 5.62, LibreOffice 6.3, Firefox 69
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Focal Fossa 2023-04-29 5.4 5.18 LTS 5.12.8 KDE Frameworks 5.68.0, LibreOffice 6.4.2.2, Firefox 75
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5.8 5.19.5 5.14.2 KDE Frameworks 5.74.0, LibreOffice 7.0.2, Firefox 82
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Hirsute Hippo 2022-01-20<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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5.11 5.21 5.15.2 KDE Frameworks 5.80, LibreOffice 7.1, Firefox 87
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Impish Indri 2022-07-14 5.13 5.22.5 5.15.2 KDE Gear 21.08, KDE Frameworks 5.86, LibreOffice 7.2, Firefox 92
22.04 LTS 2022-04-21 Jammy Jellyfish 2025-04-24 5.15 5.24 LTS 5.15.3 KDE Gear 21.12.3, KDE Frameworks 5.92, LibreOffice 7.3.2.2, Firefox 99
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5.18 5.25 5.15.5 KDE Gear 22.04.1, LibreOffice 7.4, Firefox 103, KDE Frameworks 5.95
23.04 2023-04-20 Lunar Lobster 2024-01-20 6.2 5.27 5.15.8. KDE Gear 22.12, LibreOffice 7.5, Firefox 111, KDE Frameworks 5.104
23.10 2023-10-17 Mantic Minotaur 2024-07 6.5 5.27.8 5.15.10 KDE Gear 23.08, LibreOffice 7.6.2.1, Firefox 118
24.04 LTS 2024-04-25 Noble Numbat 2027-04 6.8 5.27.11 5.15.13
24.10 2024-10-10 Oracular Oriole 2025-07 6.11 6.1 Qt6 6.6 / Qt5 5.15.13 Wayland as default Plasma session
25.04 2025-04-17 Plucky Puffin 2026-01 6.14 6.3 Qt6.8 KDE Frameworks 6.12.0, Firefox 137 snap, LibreOffice 25.2, Linux kernel 6.14
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System requirementsEdit

The desktop version of Kubuntu currently supports the AMD 64 architectures, Intel x86 support was discontinued after the 18.04 release and existing 32-bit users were supported until 2023.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The recommended minimum system requirements for a desktop installation are as follows:

Minimum Requirement<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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64-bit Processor 2.0 GHz dual-core
Memory 2 GB
Hard drive capacity 10 GB
Recommended Requirement<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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64-bit Processor 2.5 GHz quad-core
Memory 8 GB
Hard drive capacity 50 GB

DeploymentsEdit

Kubuntu rollouts include the world's largest Linux desktop deployment, that includes more than 500,000 desktops in Brazil (in 42,000 schools of 4,000 cities).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The software of the 14,800 Linux workstations of Munich was switched to Kubuntu LTS 12.04 and KDE 4.11.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The Taipei City Government decided to replace Windows with a Kubuntu distribution on 10,000 PCs for schools.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The French Parliament announced in 2006 that they would switch over 1,000 workstations to Kubuntu by June 2007.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

A Kubuntu distribution, by La Laguna University, is used in more than 3,000 computers spread in several computer labs, laboratories and libraries, among other internal projects in the Canary Islands.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Since October 2007, Kubuntu is now used in all of the 1,100 state schools in the Canary Islands.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

GalleryEdit

See alsoEdit

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ReferencesEdit

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External linksEdit

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