GNOME 46 Desktop Release: What’s New

GNOME 46, codenamed “Kathmandu,” was released on March 20, 2024. This version introduces significant improvements to file management, settings, and overall polish, making it a compelling upgrade for Linux users. Below, we break down the key features, performance gains, and what you need to know before upgrading.

Background: The GNOME Project and Release Cycle

GNOME is a free and open-source desktop environment used by many popular Linux distributions, including Fedora, Ubuntu, and Debian. The project follows a strict six-month release cycle, with each version bringing new features, bug fixes, and performance improvements. GNOME 46 is the latest stable release, following GNOME 45 (released in September 2023) and preceding GNOME 47 (expected in late 2024). The codename “Kathmandu” honors the Nepalese capital, continuing the tradition of naming releases after cities.

Major New Features in GNOME 46

GNOME 46 introduces several user-visible changes that enhance daily workflow:

• Improved File Manager (Nautilus): The file manager now supports searching for files by content, not just by name. This is a long-requested feature that makes finding documents much easier.
• Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): For users with compatible monitors and graphics cards, VRR reduces screen tearing and stuttering, especially during gaming or video playback.
• Enhanced Settings App: The Settings app has been redesigned with a new sidebar layout, making it easier to navigate. It also includes a new “System” section that consolidates power, users, and about information.
• Reworked Quick Settings: The quick settings menu now includes a new Bluetooth submenu, allowing you to connect to devices without opening the full settings app.
• Better Remote Desktop: The remote desktop feature is now more robust, supporting multiple monitors and offering improved performance.
• New Online Accounts: The online accounts feature now supports Microsoft OneDrive, making it easier to access cloud files from the file manager.

Performance and Under-the-Hood Changes

Beyond visible features, GNOME 46 includes several technical improvements that make the desktop feel faster and more responsive:

• Faster Mutter (Compositor): The Mutter compositor has been optimized, reducing latency and improving frame pacing. This is particularly noticeable when using Wayland.
• Memory Usage Reductions: Several core components, including the file manager and the settings app, use less memory, which is beneficial for systems with limited RAM.
• Improved Power Management: The power management system is more efficient, potentially extending battery life on laptops.
• Wayland Improvements: The Wayland session now supports fractional scaling under XWayland, making mixed-DPI setups look sharper.

How to Get GNOME 46

GNOME 46 is available through your Linux distribution’s package manager. The easiest way to get it is to upgrade your entire system:

1. Fedora: Fedora 40, released in April 2024, includes GNOME 46 by default. If you are on Fedora 39, you can upgrade to Fedora 40 using the software center or the command line.
2. Ubuntu: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, released in April 2024, ships with GNOME 46. Users on older releases can upgrade to the new LTS when prompted.
3. Arch Linux: Arch users can simply run sudo pacman -Syu to update to the latest packages, which include GNOME 46.
4. OpenSUSE: Tumbleweed users get GNOME 46 automatically; Leap users may need to wait for the next service pack.

If you want to test GNOME 46 without installing it, you can use a live USB image from a distribution like Fedora or Ubuntu, or use the official GNOME OS image with a virtual machine.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

As with any major release, some users may encounter issues. Here are a few common ones and their solutions:

• Variable Refresh Rate not working: Ensure your monitor supports VRR (DisplayPort 1.2a+ or HDMI 2.1) and that you are using the Wayland session. Also, check that your graphics driver is up to date. If it still does not work, try enabling it in the Settings > Displays > Refresh Rate menu.
• File content search is slow: The first time you search for file content, GNOME builds an index. This can take a while, but subsequent searches are faster. If it remains slow, consider excluding large directories from indexing in Settings > Search.
• Remote Desktop connection issues: If you cannot connect, make sure the remote desktop service is running (Settings > System > Remote Desktop) and that your firewall allows connections on port 3389. Also, check that you are using the correct username and password.
• Bluetooth devices not pairing: Try removing the device from the Bluetooth list and pairing again. If that fails, restart the Bluetooth service with systemctl restart bluetooth.

Comparison with Previous Versions

Compared to GNOME 45, GNOME 46 feels more refined. The most noticeable differences are the redesigned Settings app and the new file content search. The performance improvements are also tangible, especially on older hardware. However, the overall look and feel remain consistent, so users familiar with GNOME 45 will feel right at home. If you are coming from an older version like GNOME 42 or 43, you will notice the cleaner quick settings, the new camera preview in the lock screen, and the improved touchpad gestures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is GNOME 46 a long-term support (LTS) release?

No, GNOME itself does not have LTS releases. However, distributions like Ubuntu provide LTS versions that include a specific GNOME version. For example, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS ships with GNOME 46 and will receive security updates for five years, but the GNOME version will not be upgraded to 47.

Can I install GNOME 46 on Windows or macOS?

No, GNOME is designed for Linux and other Unix-like systems. It is not available for Windows or macOS. However, you can run a Linux distribution in a virtual machine on those systems to try GNOME 46.

Does GNOME 46 support NVIDIA graphics cards?

Yes, GNOME 46 works with NVIDIA proprietary drivers. The Wayland session has improved significantly, but some users still report issues with certain NVIDIA GPUs. If you experience problems, try the Xorg session instead.

Will GNOME 46 work on my old computer?

GNOME 46 is generally lighter than previous versions, but it still requires a reasonable amount of RAM (at least 2 GB) and a GPU that supports OpenGL 3.3 or later. If your computer is very old, you might consider using a lighter desktop environment like Xfce or LXQt.

How do I revert to GNOME 45 if I don’t like 46?

Reverting is not straightforward. You would need to reinstall your operating system or restore a system backup made before the upgrade. It is always recommended to back up your important data before upgrading.

Safety and Stability Considerations

GNOME 46 is a stable release, but it is always wise to back up your data before upgrading. The upgrade process is generally smooth, but unforeseen issues can occur. If you rely on your computer for critical work, consider waiting a few weeks after the release to allow early bugs to be fixed. Also, ensure that your distribution’s package repositories have the latest updates, as they often include patches for issues found after the initial release.

Related

• How to Choose a Replacement Battery for Your Nokia Phone
• Necesse Multiplayer: Host or Join a Dedicated Server
• Unlock Samsung Tablet: Carrier & FRP Methods