It’s Official: Ubuntu 17.10 Is Killing 32-Bit Desktop ISO

Ubuntu has decided to drop the 32-bit desktop images for the upcoming Ubuntu 17.10 Artful Aardvark release. This is a result of an ongoing discussion in the Ubuntu development process, which argued that there’s no point in continuing to build i368 images.

Canonical’s Dimitri John Ledkov has told the Ubuntu Release Team to remove “Ubuntu Desktop i386 daily-live images from the release manifest for Beta and Final milestones of 17.10.” As a result, ubuntu-desktop-i386.iso won’t be shipping.

This message is a follow-up of an older discussion in May, in which Ledkov wrote that 32-bit architecture is changing and it’s no longer the default or widely used architecture on traditional form factors like desktop, laptop, and rack servers.

It was proposed that while i386 images should continue to be shipped for core, container, netinst, etc., they should be scrapped for Server and Desktop.

In case you’re wondering, this change, currently, only affects the flagship Ubuntu Desktop version, which now ships with GNOME desktop environment. Other Ubuntu flavors like Lubuntu, Ubuntu MATE, Xubuntu, etc., haven’t announced any related plans. It won’t be surprising if these lightweight flavors continue to ship 32-bit images in future as well.

What are your thoughts on this recent development? Are you still running a 32-bit architecture machine? Don’t forget to share your views and feedback.

Also Read: 20 Biggest Features Of Ubuntu 17.10 And Release Date