KDE neon has released a new User Edition ISO built on August 6, 2026, delivering Plasma 6.7.4, Gear 26.04.3, and Frameworks 6.28.0 on a stable Ubuntu 24.04 LTS base. The headline feature is finally available per-screen virtual desktops, accompanied by a restored Oxygen theme and dozens of ecosystem-wide bug fixes. You can download the stable ISO directly from the official server, though Testing and Unstable builds are also live for those tracking newer development branches. With the next LTS rebase still months away, this drop acts as a polished bridge for KDE fans who want the latest stack without adopting a bleeding-edge foundation.
KDE neon 20260806 ships Plasma 6.7.4 with restored Oxygen theme
KDE neon has a new User Edition ISO ready for download. The build identifier is neon-user-desktop-20260806-0522. You get KDE Plasma 6.7.4, Gear 26.04.3, and Frameworks 6.28.0 layered on top of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.
The base remains Noble Numbat. KDE neon last rebased onto a new LTS release in October 2024. The next rebase is expected around mid-2026, so this ISO bridges the gap while you're still on a stable foundation.
Plasma 6.7.4: Per-screen desktops and Oxygen returns
Plasma 6.7.4 is the August bugfix release. It stacks three weeks of contributor fixes on top of the major 6.7 feature release from June. The headline addition is per-screen virtual desktops. You can finally have different desktop layouts on different monitors.
KDE has been working toward this for 21 years. It's not quite "game-changing," but it's a feature you'll use daily once it's set up. The Oxygen theme is also restored to parity with Breeze. The team brought it back for KDE's 30th anniversary later this year. It's a nice nod to the 4 era aesthetics.
The release notes include a dedication to Eric Laffoon, a longtime KDE supporter who passed away in May 2026. Other highlights from 6.7 include a light/dark mode toggle widget, Vietnamese lunar calendar support, and a redesigned Discover software center.
Gear, Frameworks, and other editions
KDE Gear 26.04.3 covers 180+ programs. Notable fixes include Elisa output device switching and Kdenlive timeline playhead behavior. KF 6.28.0 expands iOS and Android platform support across several modules.
KDE neon's build infrastructure runs a cloud of automated servers. The User Edition gets full automated QA before release. A Testing edition was built on August 4, and an Unstable edition on August 2. Mobile and Bigscreen editions are also available.
Keep in mind that the User Edition is the only one with rigorous testing. If you're running production work, stick with the stable ISO. The Testing and Unstable builds are useful if you want to catch bugs early.
The rebase to Ubuntu 26.04 is still a few months away. Noble is solid, but you might be wondering if it's worth waiting. For most users, the Plasma and Gear updates are the main draw. The base LTS change is a slower-moving event.
Head here to download the ISO.
