The Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation has released Rocky Linux 10.1, built from sources of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10.1 and designed to provide a reliable platform for applications. This new version includes notable features such as systemd soft reboots, post-quantum cryptography (PQC) updates, and XFS file system upgrades, in addition to updated software packages like .NET 10 and Node.js 24. Rocky Linux prioritizes thorough testing, with this release undergoing two weeks of rigorous checks across various environments before its release.
Rocky Linux 10.1 released
The Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation has just released Rocky Linux 10.1. This new version is built using the sources from Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10.1, which means it aims to deliver a solid and reliable platform for your applications.
If you're ready to roll with Rocky 10.1, head over to the official Downloads page on their website to grab the updated installation media. You'll also want to check out the release notes tucked away in the Documentation section; they cover important details about changes and potential issues for this specific version. It definitely pays to read those notes before diving in.
Notable Features
A neat feature added in 10.1 is systemd soft reboots. This basically allows system-wide reboots that can happen relatively quickly but crucially keeps your user applications running smoothly during the process. So it's useful for patching without necessarily disrupting everything at once. Just be sure to check those docs carefully first, especially if you're thinking about using this function in production; there might be some gotchas.
Rocky Linux 10.1 also makes important advances when preparing against the future of computing with post-quantum cryptography (PQC). Following the advancements made in Rocky 10.0, Rocky Linux 10.1 now prioritizes PQC algorithms within OpenSSL. Rocky Linux 10.1 not only prioritizes PQC algorithms within OpenSSL but also updates numerous libraries and policies.
The XFS file system itself gets some minor upgrades as well. You can now run xfs_scrub directly on an already-mounted filesystem, which is handy for checking its health without needing to unmount first. There's also a specific command (xfs_growfs) you can use in certain situations to shrink an XFS partition.
This release bundles several upgraded software packages under the hood. Key ones include .NET 10, Node.js 24, OpenJDK 25, and Valkey 8. The compiler toolsets have also been bumped; think GCC 15, Go Toolset 1.24, LLVM 20, and Rust Toolset 1.88.
Rigorous Testing
Rocky Linux prioritizes thorough testing. They rigorously check this release across many different environments and setups before considering it ready for prime time (GA). This particular version actually went through two solid weeks of testing beforehand.
For those interested in getting involved with future releases, the community can join the Testing channel on Rocky Linux's Mattermost platform. It looks like they're always keen to bring users onboard so everyone helps spot issues and refine things.
Upgrading Your System
If you're using Rocky 10.0 already, upgrading to 10.1 should be straightforward, either via the command line with sudo dnf -y upgrade or through desktop tools like GNOME Software or KDE Discover. However, remember that this is only a minor point release; jumping between major versions (like from 8.x or 9.x) isn't something they support.
Rocky Linux provides migrate2rocky utilities specifically for users coming over from other Enterprise Linux family distributions, like CentOS Stream. That should make the transition relatively seamless if you're already familiar with those systems.
Known Issues Caveat
Like any release, Rocky 10.1 isn't flawless; there are some known issues that have cropped up during testing. One specific thing is that a RISC-V kernel (6.12.0-124.8.1) has shown problems on certain RISC-V systems. It is recommended to refrain from upgrading it unless you are specifically engaged in development and testing.
If you want to sidestep this particular issue right now, a temporary measure is to run dnf upgrade --exclude='kernel*' --exclude='kmod*'. This procedure keeps the problematic kernel out of your system. For more comprehensive details on all known issues, always refer back to the official release notes.
Availability
For those looking to dive into the world of Rocky Linux, getting started just got a whole lot easier. The latest installation media, container images, cloud versions, and even live images are now readily available on the Rocky Linux Downloads webpage. If you're itching to explore what's new in this version, be sure to check out the release notes within the comprehensive documentation section.
To gain a deeper understanding of the changes and potential issues that come with this update, we recommend taking a look at the published release notes within the Rocky Linux Documentation. This will give you valuable insight into any known problems or significant upgrades that might affect your experience with the platform.
