Manjaro Linux 26.0.3: Third Maintenance Snapshot

Manjaro Linux 167 Published 2026-02-28 08:05 by Philipp Esselbach

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Manjaro 26.0.3 Anh-Linh offers various updates and refinements to provide a smoother user experience. The latest release includes GNOME 49, which brings improvements such as a cleaner calendar widget and faster software store refreshes, while KDE Plasma 6.5 adds features like rounded window corners and adaptive themes. Additionally, the new kernel builds deliver improved performance on newer GPUs, but users with older laptops may want to stick with the LTS kernel to avoid stability issues. The Manjaro release is available for download in various ISO variants, including full and minimal images, allowing users to choose their preferred edition and kernel version.

Manjaro 26.0.3 Anh‑Linh: Why the Latest Snapshot Is Worth a Quick Install

The newest Manjaro release, 26.0.3 “Anh‑Linh,” drops fresh kernel builds and desktop upgrades that smooth out everyday headaches while keeping the system lean.

GNOME 49: Cleaner Calendar and Faster Store Refreshes

GNOME 49 brings a trimmed‑down calendar widget that lets users hide the sidebar with a single click, restoring valuable screen real estate on compact laptops. The software store now parses Flatpak metadata in a more efficient loop, cutting RAM usage by several hundred megabytes each time a refresh runs. That extra memory can keep a system snappy even when dozens of flatpaks are installed.

KDE Plasma 6.5: Rounded Corners and Adaptive Themes

The KDE spin moves to Plasma 6.5 and Frameworks 6.21, offering optional rounded window corners that can be toggled in Appearance Window Decorations without forcing a UI overhaul. The automatic light‑to‑dark theme switch is ready out of the box; for users who keep their machine on 24 / 7 it can be fine‑tuned or disabled entirely to avoid surprise theme flips during deep‑night work sessions.

Expanded application permissions now cover screenshot rights and remote input, giving privacy‑conscious users a clearer view into what each app can do beyond the flatpak sandbox.

Xfce 4.20: Enhanced File Highlighting and Precise Panels

With Xfce 4.20, Thunar adds color‑coding via custom rules, making it easier to flag logs or scripts among a clutter of documents. The right‑click menu now includes recursive search, eliminating the need for separate tools like Catfish when hunting files by name.

Panels gain a pixel‑exact sizing option and a “keep panel above windows” toggle that stops maximized applications from covering them, a subtle change that keeps status bars visible without extra configuration hassle.

Kernel Choices: When to Stick With LTS

The default 6.18 kernel offers the latest AMDGPU and Intel graphics stacks, delivering improved performance on newer GPUs immediately after installation. However, users of older laptops equipped with Realtek RTL8188EE Wi‑Fi chips have reported frequent disconnects following a migration to 6.18. Switching back to the 6.12 LTS kernel via Manjaro Settings Manager Kernel restores stability without sacrificing overall system reliability.

How to Upgrade From 26.0.1

A simple sudo pacman -Syu pulls the new packages for those already on the stable branch; users on testing may need a full refresh with sudo pacman -Syyu because some groups were rebuilt against newer kernel headers. Running these commands after an upgrade guarantees that drivers and system libraries stay in sync with the new kernel.

Downloading the Right ISO

The official mirrors host all ISO variants. A “full” image includes a graphical installer and most common packages, while a “minimal” build keeps the footprint under 2 GB for systems where space matters. Kernel‑specific images are also available if one prefers a particular kernel right from installation. Verifying SHA256 checksums before flashing prevents corrupted installs that can lead to boot issues.

Manjaro 26.0.3 Anh‑Linh delivers practical refinements rather than flashy gimmicks—changes that actually show up in daily use, from smoother desktop interactions to more reliable networking on legacy hardware. Give it a spin and see how the updates streamline your workflow.