System76 has released Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS, its major new operating system update, coinciding with the company's 20th anniversary. This release anniversary coincides with the debut of COSMIC, System76's brand-new desktop environment designed specifically for the open-source community. Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS boasts improved user control and contribution, thanks to its modular design, allowing users to customize their Linux setup with ease. The update also includes enhanced hardware support, hybrid graphics management, and a more streamlined installation process with built-in full disk encryption.
Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS released
System76's 20th anniversary is happening right alongside a major new release: Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS. The big news here is the debut of their brand-new desktop environment, called COSMIC.
After years of shipping Linux computers and developing the Pop!_OS distribution for seven years, it became clear that it just wasn't enough anymore. They felt they'd reached a limit, not with hardware or software per se, but in terms of potential. That's why, three years ago, they decided to build something fresh from scratch.
The COSMIC desktop environment is a complete package for Pop!_OS and was designed specifically for the open-source community that has always been so central to Linux. The whole thing, including this flagship desktop experience, has been funded directly by System76 hardware sales, proving every customer is an investor in the project's success.
Now, digging into what makes Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS special: it’s built on a robust foundation that values user control and contribution. That idea—that the best open-source projects empower users to both use them and build upon them—is absolutely core to COSMIC. It’s super modular and composable, which means it's easier than ever for anyone out there to adapt or customize it. You can tweak things to create your unique Linux setup.
Hardware support is always key on any new release. Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS handles that well, including a major new version built specifically for ARM computers. This upgrade brings official ARM support right into the box (meaning System76's Thelio Astra desktop comes ready-to-go). Plus, there are ways to get this experience running on other hardware too, like using Tow-Boot in community-supported setups.
The release also tackles hybrid graphics quite smartly now. You know how switching between integrated and discrete GPU modes can be a hassle? Well, the new Pop!_OS manages that better than before, helping boost battery life without those interruptions.
On the usability front, installation is straightforward, full disk encryption is built-in for peace of mind, and there's this handy "refresh install" option. It saves your files, settings, and Flatpaks during a reinstall, which sounds useful if you ever want to upgrade or start fresh easily.
Speaking of the desktop itself, COSMIC brings its own charm: intuitive window tiling works with both mouse and keyboard inputs, per workspace and display for staying organized. Navigation is fast thanks to easy-to-learn keyboard shortcuts designed not to trip you up, plus a smooth multi-display setup that automatically scales based on pixel density. You can also customize the look through themes or applets if you want to personalize your layout.
Additionally, the applications within COSMIC are designed to be snappy as well: System76 writes many key ones in Rust for good reason; it helps with safety and performance, making things feel smoother all around. Think of apps like Files, Store, Terminal, and Text Editor; they're part of this overall faster experience.
The download for Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS is available on this page.
