Long answer: Let me explain, which distros use Linux kernel 7.0? It is included in the default installation of Ubuntu 26.04 LTS. Fedora 44 is released on kernel 6.19, and then updated to kernel 7.0.x. It was enthusiastically adopted by the rolling releases like Arch but most of them have switched to more recent kernels. Test your own system using the command uname -r.
The Short Version of Kernel 7.0
Linux 7.0 was released on April 12, 2026 by Linus Torvalds. The new version is not 6.20 of the Linux kernel, but 7.0. This release includes hardware enablement, filesystems and network enhancements, and security fixes. It was also a big step for Rust, as the Rust-for-Linux work is no longer experimental. The last kernel version that supports i486 processors is 7.0, according to one report.
Which Distros Use Linux Kernel 7.0?
This is the part that most articles miss, and it can have three interpretations: “Ships with 7.0” means: ships that ship with 7.0 means: ships that include 7.0 as a part of their shipping. They are kept apart on the table.
| Distribution | Kernel at launch | How it got 7.0 | Status today |
| Network Sharing | No (concurrently) | No (now) | No (then) |
| Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | 7.0 | Default from release day | Released April 23 with kernel 7.0 |
| Upgrades since release | Fedora 44 | 6.19.10 | May 2026 upgrade test landed |
| Heads up display | No | No/Updates | Yes/Later with 7.0.12 kernel.Heads up display No No/Updates Yes/Later with 7.0.12 kernel. |
| Rolling: Arch Linux and other rolling releases. | Standard system update: Likely past 7.0 already, so verify. | ||
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | Which is not standardly included, but will install If desired | Not by default | The mainline 7.0 packages will not install on it |
The Clear Case is the Ubuntu 26.04 LTS case
The simple solution is Ubuntu. The release of Ubuntu 26.04 and kernel 7.0 was announced on 23rd April. It can’t just be added because the .debs of the mainline kernel packages for 7.0 simply don’t install on 24.04.
For Fedora 44, where the confusion comes from
Fedora 44 is the most incorrectly reported distro. There’s a reason the sources vary, and it’s important to understand the details.
Unfortunately, Kernel 7.0 didn’t make the cut for the release freeze. Both the initial and final release dates of Fedora 44 were April 28, with the kernel version of 6.19.10. Fedora then conducted a test week of kernel 7.0 from April 26 to May 1. Following release, 7.0.x got released as an update to Fedora 44. A kernel 5 upgrade test in May 2026 upgraded a system from Fedora 43 to Fedora 44 and concluded on kernel 7.0.8, which resulted in post-upgrade updates. Also, a forum post states that 7.0 officially became available in Fedora 44.
Both these statements are correct, in part. The articles stating “Fedora 44 ships with 7.0” refer to the updated system. Articles claiming it is “ships with 6.19” are talking about the release ISO. In case of installation from the original media, perform updates prior to kernel check.
The problem with 7.0 is already old and Rolling Releases
Rolling distributions immediately began to add 7.0. In Arch and Tumbleweed, a standard update should suffice.
The ability to time this keyword search is the catch for anyone looking for this keyword now. On June 14, Linux 7.1 was published and a month later, Linux 7.2 came out, with the stable version 7.2.6 released on September 14. According to one Phoronix summary, 7.2 will be used to run Fedora 45 and Ubuntu 26.10. Now the question is no longer “which distros use 7.0” or “which distros are on the newest kernel.
The Kernel Check Method (Original Framework)
Do not rely on any distro list, including this one, but use these three steps.
- Run uname -r. The first two numbers are series numbers. 7.0.8 is the 7.0 series, while 7.2.6 is the 7.2 series.
- Update first. Run the package manager’s update, then reboot. A new installation can be an older version of the kernel.
- Confirm Boot Entry. If the system boot’s an older kernel, choose the newer and make it default. This is the same GRUB repair that is suggested in one of the Fedora upgrades.
After upgrading to a 7.x kernel
In most cases, it is the out-of-tree drivers who are the victims. There is a maintained driver script from NVIDIA support that does provide kernel 7.x support for Fedora 44 and Ubuntu 26.04 through DKMS. If your DKMS build doesn’t work after a kernel update install the new kernel headers package for your kernel. Also, be careful about the compiler version used to compile the modules, it should be the same compiler version used for the kernel.
- Ran uname -r and recorded the series
- Rebooted and updated packages before checking
- Confirmed defaults of the boot menu to latest kernel
- Installed matching kernel headers for DKMS modules.
- After the update, third-party drivers like NVIDIA have been rebuilt.
- Checked whether my distro has moved on to 7.1 or 7.2
- Maintained the old kernel for a fall-back as before
- Recorded release date for distro vs kernel release date
Guest Post Angles
These topics are suitable for Linux, sysadmin and developer publications:
- Why the distro release dates and kernel dates overlap: distro freezes and kernel versions.
- uname -r: Reading the correct kernel version.
- When to use a mainline kernel: Risks of a hand installed mainline kernel.
The name of the user is uname and not the Headline
The truthful answer to which distros use Linux kernel 7.0 is Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, Fedora 44 (after updates), and rolling releases early on. However, kernel 7.0 is not the latest anymore and distro pages are outdated. Perform the three step test on your own machine; consider this list of kernel versions as a snapshot.
