New Ubuntu 16.04.7 LTS And Ubuntu 18.04.5 LTS Point Version Released

Ahead of the first point version release of the Ubuntu 20.04 LTS series, the Ubuntu team has announced new point releases for both Ubuntu 16.04 LTS and 18.04 LTS series. Ubuntu 16.04.7 and Ubuntu 18.04.5 are the latest point versions with long-term support.

On the one hand, v18.04.5 is available for all Ubuntu variants such as Desktop, Server, Cloud, and other flavors. While on the other, v16.04.7 is only available for Desktop, Server, and Ubuntu Kylin flavor owing to the end-of-life of other community flavors.

Similar to the previous v16.04.6, Ubuntu 16.04.7 includes patches for various security flaws. For instance, it brings updated installation media to mitigate the recent BootHole vulnerability in the GRUB bootloader.

Likewise, Ubuntu v18.04.4 successor v18.04.5 also includes security updates along with other bug fixes to maintain the stability and compatibility of Ubuntu 18.04 LTS.

Most importantly, 18.04.5 LTS features hardware enablement (HWE) stacks to provide newer kernel, hardware, and X support. To get these enablement stacks, you can install the latest Ubuntu LTS point release media.

If you’re using Ubuntu flavors, Kubuntu 18.04.5 LTS, Ubuntu Budgie 18.04.5 LTS, Ubuntu MATE 18.04.5 LTS, Lubuntu 18.04.5 LTS, Ubuntu Kylin 18.04.5 LTS, and Xubuntu 18.04.5 LTS are also now available with HWE.

Speaking of maintenance updates, Canonical will provide 5 years of support for Ubuntu Desktop, Server, Cloud, and Base until 2023 for 18.04.5 and 2021 for 16.04.7. However, all the remaining Ubuntu flavors will be supported for 3 years.

How To Download Ubuntu 16.04 and 18.04 point releases?

If you want to download the ISO image of Ubuntu 16.04.7 and Ubuntu 18.04.5, visit the official site.

However, if you’re already using the preceding 14.04 LTS or 16.04 LTS point versions, you will have the option for an automatic upgrade to 16.04.7 or 18.04.5 via Update Manager, respectively.