How to upgrade from unsupported Ubuntu 25.04 to a secure version

¿How do I upgrade from an unsupported Ubuntu 25.04 to a secure version? When the end-of-support date for a version of Ubuntu approaches, it becomes more than just a simple upgrade; it becomes a matter of system security and survivalIf you are using Ubuntu 25.04 "Plucky Puffin", your installation's days are numbered in terms of official support, and it's advisable to plan your upgrade to a secure version before it's too late.

In this article you will find a complete guide to learn How to upgrade from unsupported Ubuntu 25.04 to a secure versionWhat risks are involved in staying where you are, what paths are available to you (upgrading to the next interim version, jumping to an LTS, reinstalling from scratch, or even doing repair installations), and how to prepare to make the change as painless as possible.

End of support for Ubuntu 25.04 "Plucky Puffin": dates and real risks

The key day is the January 15, 2026From that date onwards, Canonical marks Ubuntu 25.04 as an unsupported version and, in practice, your system stops receiving updates. security patches, kernel updates, and critical bug fixesThe distro will still boot up, yes, but it becomes a much more attractive target for known vulnerabilities.

When a version reaches its end of life, it means that the official repositories stop publishing updates. any type of updateNo new browser versions, base packages, or system libraries will be available. Furthermore, many third-party repositories (PPAs and external software) will stop compiling and distributing packages for that specific version, so Your software ecosystem is stagnating.

Staying on Ubuntu 25.04 after the end of support means living with known vulnerabilities that no one is going to patchThis is especially true for sensitive components like the browser, OpenSSL, systemd, or the kernel itself. On a home desktop, it's already a bad idea, but in a work environment, home server, or shared PC, it's simply an unnecessary risk.

Although in Linux there is always the option to compile the kernel, certain applications, or even maintain some packages manually, it is one way tedious, fragile, and not recommended for most usersIn practice, the sensible thing to do is to follow the official route: update to a version that is still supported or reinstall an LTS edition.

Ubuntu support model: LTS versus intermediate versions

To decide where to jump from Ubuntu 25.04, it's important to be clear about... How the Canonical support calendar worksUbuntu maintains two main branches: LTS (Long Term Support) versions and normal or interim versions.

The editions LTS are published every two years They have five years of standard support, extendable to ten with Ubuntu Pro. These are more conservative builds, ideal for those who prioritize stability, compatibility, and fewer surprises in their daily use, both on the desktop and in production environments.

The regular or interim versions are released every six months and only include 9 months of official updatesThey bring the latest features first, integrate recent technologies, and serve as a testing ground for the next LTS version, but they require a frequent update cadence: jumping from one to the next before support ends.

In the case at hand, Ubuntu 25.04 is an intermediate version, with that 9-month support. Its direct successor is Ubuntu 25.10 "Questing Quokka", also an interim release, which in turn acts as a bridge to Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, the next major extended support version.

That's why many users rightly criticize the fact that installing a non-LTS version means always having to keep an eye on the calendar: Either you update regularly or you'll get left behind without updates, as is about to happen with Plucky Puffin.

Options for leaving Ubuntu 25.04 without support

If you're still on Ubuntu 25.04 and the end of support is approaching (or has arrived), you essentially have two main routesYou can upgrade to the next available version or upgrade to an LTS edition via a clean reinstall. Each option has its pros and cons.

The most direct route is update to Ubuntu 25.10 “Questing Quokka”This is the natural successor to 25.04 and the standard path suggested by the Ubuntu updater. You'll keep your files, settings, and most installed programs, making it a convenient option if you want to stay up-to-date with interim versions.

However, Ubuntu 25.10 has dragged bugs and problems since its launchAnd it also inherits the same short-term support model: it too receives updates for only 9 months. It's a temporary solution that will force you to update again when its end of life approaches, although it allows you to hold out while you wait for the next LTS release.

The most conservative alternative is to abandon the cycle of temporary appointments and reverse course. Ubuntu 24.04 LTSThis provides long-term stability: five years of guaranteed security updates (and up to ten with Ubuntu Pro). In return, there's no direct in-place downgrade from 25.04; you'll have to... a clean installation.

Later, once I arrive Ubuntu 26.04 LTSMany users of 25.10 or 25.04 will want to upgrade to this extended support version. For those coming from interim versions, it will be especially important to carefully consider how the upgrade is performed to avoid problems with significant stack changes, such as the introduction of Rust components or aggressive updates to the graphical environment. If you want to know more... How to update Ubuntu We've included this other guide for you.

Preparing the system: backups and pre-checks

Whichever route you choose, there is one recommendation that is repeated in all official and unofficial guides: Make a full backup of your data before touching anything or, if you wish, Install Ubuntu in a virtual machineA major upgrade can fail for a thousand reasons (power outages, network errors, packet conflicts, strange drivers…), and you don't want to risk damaging your documents.

Ideally, you should save your personal documents, photos, projects, and critical configurations on an external device or in the cloud. If you use /home on a separate partition, you're somewhat better covered, but it's still a good idea to back up important files in case you need to reformat or re-encrypt.

Before making the jump, also ensure your 25.04 system is completely up to date. It's recommended to perform a full package update with apt update and apt full-upgrade so that the base system is in the best possible state before changing versions.

It's worth reviewing the third-party repositories (PPAs and external sources) that you have added. Many of them are not prepared to handle the version change or will stop supporting 25.04, so the update assistant itself will temporarily disable them. If you have any critical PPAs, check if their maintainer supports the target version (25.10 or the LTS version you choose).

Finally, if you rely on unusual hardware (older NVIDIA graphics cards, very exotic Wi-Fi cards, special peripherals), find out about how they behave in the version you're going to jump toIt can save you from unpleasant surprises after the restart.

Upgrade from Ubuntu 25.04 to Ubuntu 25.10 using the graphical tool

The easiest and "official" way to upgrade from Ubuntu 25.04 to 25.10 is through the Software Updater. For most desktop users, this is the recommended option because it guides you through the process step by step.

In theory, when 25.10 is considered sufficiently stable and the 25.04 support window enters its final stretch, the system should automatically display a New version notification available When checking for updates, simply press the update button and follow the instructions.

If the notification doesn't appear, you can manually open the program. Software Update and force a check. In some cases, especially right after the release of a new version, Ubuntu "doses" the update offer, so it's not uncommon for some users to see it a few days later.

During the process, the assistant will inform you that they will Modify software sources, temporarily disable third-party repositories and download a good number of new packages. Depending on your connection and hardware, this step can take quite a while, so it's best to do it with your laptop plugged in and without rushing.

Finally, the system will ask you rebootThe first boot after this type of update usually takes a little longer than normal because caches are regenerated, package migrations are completed, and some cleanup tasks are performed.

Updating from the terminal: commands for advanced users

If you prefer more control or find the graphical method impractical, you can upgrade from Ubuntu 25.04 to 25.10 from the terminal, using the distribution's standard tools. This approach is quite common among system administrators and advanced users.

The first thing to do is make sure your current system is fully updated. To do this, open a terminal (in most Ubuntu flavors, with CTRL + ALT + T) and performs a full update of the installed packages.

Next, it's a good idea to check that update-manager-coreThe package responsible for managing version updates is installed correctly. Without it, the version jump command will not work, so it's worth verifying this before proceeding.

In interim versions, another point to check is the version update configuration file (the usual /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades) to verify if your system is configured to Receive notifications only for LTS versions or also for regular versionsIf the Prompt line is set to "lts", it should be changed to "normal" so that the system accepts interim lines.

Once you have the environment prepared, you can launch the update assistant from the terminal with the classic do-release-upgradeIf the new version is not yet available through the standard channel (for example, in the very first days after its release), you can use the -d option to force the detection of the latest development version.

During the text-mode process, the wizard will display warnings about disabled repositories, orphaned packages, and important changes. You will need to confirm certain steps, so It's not a good idea to leave it unattended.At the end, it will ask you to restart to boot into Ubuntu 25.10.

Major changes in Ubuntu 25.10: Wayland, GNOME, and compatibility

Upgrading to Ubuntu 25.10 isn't just a matter of changing the version number: this edition introduces significant changes in the desktop environment which you should know before updating, especially in the graphics section.

One of the most significant changes is that the GNOME-based desktop has switched to using only Wayland as a screen protocolClassic X11 sessions have been removed from official support, so the entire graphics stack now relies exclusively on Wayland.

This has many advantages in the medium term (better security, better screen scaling, better support for touchpads and gestures, etc.), but it also implies that Some older drivers and graphics cards may not be compatible.The typical case is some older generation NVIDIA GPUs, whose support in Wayland is not always up to par.

If your system relies on an older graphics card or poorly maintained proprietary drivers, it's crucial that check compatibility with Wayland before updating. Otherwise, you risk encountering a black screen, login crashes, or highly unstable behavior after restarting.

Aside from the change in display protocol, Ubuntu 25.10 comes with a more modern version of GNOME, a newer kernel, and updates across the entire multimedia stack (PipeWire(sound, video and streaming control), which brings performance improvements, support for new hardware and an overall polished experience.

Reverting to a secure version: Installing Ubuntu 24.04 LTS from scratch

If you're tired of the version carousel every six months and prefer forget for years about the rush to updateThe best option is to leave the interim versions behind and switch to Ubuntu 24.04 LTS through a clean installation.

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS offers standard support for five years of security updates, expandable up to ten with services like Ubuntu Pro, making it an ideal base for work teams, production environments, family computers or simply users who want stability without surprises.

The path to perform this "downgrade" doesn't involve a magic button or an automatic command: it's necessary Download the official Ubuntu 24.04 ISO image From the Canonical website, create a bootable USB drive and start your computer from that medium to perform a clean install.

During installation, you'll need to choose how to partition the disk. If you want to start completely from scratch and avoid complications, you can choose to format the entire disk and let the installer create the partitions for you. If you want to keep a separate /home partition, you'll need to use the advanced option ("Something else") to specify exactly which partitions to format and which to keep.

In any case, the downgrade implies data loss on the partitions you formatTherefore, a backup is mandatory. There is no official mechanism that preserves all your programs, settings, and the entire system when downgrading; you will have to reinstall the applications you need and reconfigure your environment gradually.

Upgrade, repair, and clean installs: what each one is

Beyond the specific case of Ubuntu 25.04, it is useful to understand the Three great ways to install or reinstall Ubuntu that are usually handled: upgrade installation, custom repair installation, and clean installation.

The update installation is the classic method: You upgrade to a more recent version of the operating system. Keeping your programs, settings, and data. That's what you do when you upgrade from 25.04 to 25.10 with do-release-upgrade or the graphical upgrader. It's convenient, preserves almost everything, and avoids having to rebuild the system from scratch.

A repair or custom installation uses the installer from external media, but without erasing the entire disk. This involves Reinstall the system files on the root partition (/) preserving, as much as possible, the /home folder and user data. This is similar to the old concept of "repair installation" that existed in other operating systems.

In this type of custom installation, you choose the "Something else" option, select the current Ubuntu partition, set it back to /, and accept that it will overwrite system filesThe installer preserves /home (even if it's on the same partition) and reinstalls the package list compatible with the new version. This is useful for resolving system corruption without deleting your personal data.

A clean install is the most radical option and, at the same time, the most reliable when everything else has failed: The disk (or the partitions you choose) is formatted Ubuntu is then installed from scratch, with applications manually reinstalled afterward. This is a last resort when problems are unsolvable or when you truly want to start the system from zero.

Due to the very design of these options, any installation that involves formatting partitions requires a well-planned backup beforehand. Once the erase button is pressed, There's no going back..

How to force or debug a version update when it doesn't appear

Sometimes, when trying to update to a new interim version of Ubuntu, the system insists on telling you that "This device's software is up to date." Even if you know the next version already exists. This has happened to many users, for example, when trying to upgrade to 25.10 from a previous version.

In those cases, one solution is to first make sure that your system is fully up to date and that the version update package It is installed correctly. Sometimes, a simple set of delayed packages or a missing update-manager-core block the detection of the new version available.

It's also crucial to review the update configuration file to see what types of versions you're authorized to receive. If the system is configured to upgrade only to LTSIt won't naturally offer you an interim like 25.10. Changing the Prompt value to "normal" usually solves this problem.

Once everything above is properly configured, you can force the process using the terminal. Launching the update wizard with the appropriate option will cause the system to update. search for the latest supported versioneven though it is not yet being offered generally through the graphical interface.

During this forced update, the assistant may ask if you want to continue despite potential risks, warn you about PPAs that will be disabled, and list obsolete packages that will be removed. It is recommended. read the notices Stay calm and have a recent backup in case something goes wrong.

Frequently asked questions about end of support and versions

It's normal that, when a version like Ubuntu 25.04 is nearing the end of its life cycle, issues arise recurring questions among usersSome of the most common questions revolve around exactly which version loses support, what date marks the change, and how to find out which version you have installed on your machine.

In this specific case, the version that will no longer be supported is Ubuntu 25.04 “Plucky Puffin”, and the official date on which Canonical marks it as unsupported is the January 15, 2026From that day forward, the repositories stop providing security updates and patches for that edition.

The risks of not updating are primarily related to security and stability: you will be exposed to exploits for known vulnerabilitiesYou won't get kernel patches, you won't receive new versions of the browser or key applications, and gradually, many third-party repositories will simply stop offering packages for your version.

To know for sure which version of Ubuntu you have installed, you can use the classic methods version query commandsThese are simple tools that display both the distribution version and kernel information and other system data, and it is advisable to run them before following any specific guide.

With that information in hand, you can check if you're still at 25.04, if you're already at 25.10, or if you're on an LTS like 24.04, which determines what update or reinstallation path It's in your best interest to continue.

Special considerations: packages in Rust and future LTS migrations

Looking a little further than April 25.04th, some users are concerned about how this will be managed future updates between LTSFor example, when moving from 24.04 to 26.04, especially with the arrival of system components rewritten in Rust and other profound changes to the stack.

Some administrators prefer to avoid at all costs the installation of "rusty" versions (i.e., rewritten in Rust) of certain basic tools and look for Ways to update while maintaining coreutils and sudo in classic implementationsAlthough it is possible to control some of this through alternative packages, APT pinning, and custom builds, these are advanced scenarios.

Ubuntu, as a general-purpose distribution, will tend to progressively adopt these modern implementations for Improve safety, maintenance and robustnessThis means that upgrading from one LTS to another will not only be a matter of kernel or desktop versions, but also of accepting changes to the very foundations of the system's utilities.

If you're in a situation where you have no room for maneuver (due to internal policies, audits, or strict requirements) and you don't want to use certain rewritten versions, you'll need to plan ahead. maintenance strategy: blocking packages, compiling your own versions, or studying other distributions that are more conservative in that respect.

In any case, for the typical user coming from Ubuntu On April 25.04th, these details about Rust and migrations between LTS versions will be more noticeable in the background. What's truly a priority is not to get stuck on an unsupported version and choose appropriately between a transitional interim or a stable LTS.

Upgrading from an unsupported Ubuntu 25.04 to a secure version is a matter of combining a cool head with some... planningAlways maintain recent backups, understand the differences between interim and LTS versions, check hardware compatibility (especially for graphics), and choose the installation type that best suits your situation, whether it's a direct upgrade, repairing the existing partition, or a clean install. If you take a few minutes to review each of these points before upgrading, the version change will no longer be a leap into the unknown but a much smoother transition.