{{short description|Linux distribution by Fedora Project}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2026}} {{Infobox OS | name = Fedora Linux | logo = Fedora logo (2021).svg | logo_alt = Fedora Project logo | screenshot = Fedora 44 Workstation.png | caption = Fedora Workstation 44 with the GNOME Desktop Environment | developer = Fedora Project | family = Unix-like | working state = Current | source model = Open source | released = {{Start date and age|2003|11|04|df=yes}}<ref>{{cite mailing list | url=https://archive.fedoraproject.org/pub/archive/fedora/linux/core/1/i386/iso/ | title=Archived Fedora Core 1 ISO first release | date=4 November 2003 | access-date=21 May 2024 | archive-date=19 July 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719135108/https://archive.fedoraproject.org/pub/archive/fedora/linux/core/1/i386/iso/ | url-status=live }}</ref> | latest release version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q48267|P348|P548=Q2804309}} | latest release date = {{Start date and age|{{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q48267|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}|df=yes}} | latest preview version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q48267|P348|P548=Q3295609}} | latest preview date = {{Start date and age|{{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q48267|P348|P548=Q3295609|P577}}|df=yes}} | repo = {{URL|https://src.fedoraproject.org}} | marketing target = Desktop computers, workstations, servers, supercomputers | package manager = RPM (DNF), Flatpak, OSTree | supported platforms = {{Plainlist| * Primary: x86-64, armhf, AArch64<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fedoramagazine.org/announcing-fedora-28/|title=Announcing the release of Fedora 28|date=1 May 2018|website=Fedora Magazine|access-date=24 July 2018|archive-date=25 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725231417/https://fedoramagazine.org/announcing-fedora-28/|url-status=live}}</ref> * Alternative: mips64el, mipsel, ppc64le, RISC-V, s390x<ref name="Architectures">{{cite web | url=http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Architectures | title=Architectures | publisher=Fedora Project | access-date=22 March 2018 | archive-date=14 July 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714195006/http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Architectures | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | access-date=22 March 2018 | url=https://alt.fedoraproject.org/alt/ | title=alt architectures | archive-date=14 December 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214083748/https://alt.fedoraproject.org/alt/ | url-status=live }}</ref> }} | kernel_type = Monolithic (Linux kernel) | userland = GNU | ui = {{Plainlist| * GNOME Shell * KDE Plasma }} | license = GPL and various free software licenses, plus proprietary firmware files<ref name="licensing">{{cite web | url=https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Licensing:FAQ#Does_Fedora_permit_anything_under_.22Non-Free.22_licensing.3F | title=Frequently Asked Questions about Fedora Licensing | publisher=Fedora Project | access-date=27 March 2014 | archive-date=6 September 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906122645/https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Licensing:FAQ#Does_Fedora_permit_anything_under_.22Non-Free.22_licensing.3F | url-status=live }}</ref> }}
'''Fedora Linux'''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Changes/Fedora Linux in os-release - Fedora Project Wiki|url=https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/Fedora_Linux_in_os-release|access-date=28 September 2021|website=fedoraproject.org|quote=When used by itself, the term "Fedora" refers to the Fedora Project. When referring to our work, please use either a specific name like Fedora Workstation, Fedora CoreOS, or Fedora KDE Plasma Desktop; or use Fedora Linux to refer to the OS distribution as a whole.|archive-date=28 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928175208/https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/Fedora_Linux_in_os-release|url-status=live}}</ref> is a Linux distribution developed by the Fedora Project. It was originally developed in 2003 as a continuation of the Red Hat Linux project. It contains software distributed under various free and open-source licenses and aims to be on the leading edge of open-source technologies.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.slashdot.org/story/06/08/17/177220/fedora-project-leader-max-spevack-responds | title=Fedora Project Leader Max Spevack Responds | last1=Spevack | first1=Max | date=18 August 2006 | website=Slashdot | access-date=17 December 2006 | archive-date=9 February 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209221539/http://slashdot.org/story/06/08/17/177220/fedora-project-leader-max-spevack-responds | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/project/objectives/ | title=Objectives | publisher=Fedora Project | access-date=12 February 2007 | archive-date=16 December 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216031747/https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/project/objectives/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=http://www.infoworld.com/article/3143141/linux/fedora-25-stakes-out-leading-edge-not-bleeding-edge.html |title=Fedora 25 stakes out leading edge, not bleeding edge |date=22 November 2016 |last=Yegulalp |first=Serdar |work=InfoWorld |access-date=23 July 2017 |archive-date=28 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728202511/http://www.infoworld.com/article/3143141/linux/fedora-25-stakes-out-leading-edge-not-bleeding-edge.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It is now the upstream source for CentOS Stream and Red Hat Enterprise Linux.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fedora and Red Hat Enterprise Linux :: Fedora Docs|url=https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/quick-docs/fedora-and-red-hat-enterprise-linux/|access-date=26 December 2021|website=docs.fedoraproject.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=CentOS Stream |url=https://www.centos.org/centos-stream/ |access-date=28 June 2023 |website=www.centos.org |archive-date=19 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719135104/https://www.centos.org/centos-stream/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Since the release of Fedora 21 in December 2014, three editions have been made available: personal computer, server and cloud computing. This was expanded to five editions for containerization and Internet of Things (IoT) as of the release of Fedora 37 in November 2022.<ref name="arstechnica fedora21">{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/01/fedora-21-review-linuxs-sprawliest-distro-finds-a-new-focus/ |title=Fedora 21 review: Linux's sprawliest distro finds a new focus |last=Gilbertson |first=Scott |date=16 January 2015 |publisher=ArsTechnica.com |access-date=15 July 2017 |archive-date=30 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130114711/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/01/fedora-21-review-linuxs-sprawliest-distro-finds-a-new-focus/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="official website">{{cite web|url=https://getfedora.org/|title=Fedora|access-date=18 February 2023|archive-date=6 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106140006/https://getfedora.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> A new version of Fedora Linux is released every six months.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fedora Linux Releases|url=https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/releases/|url-status=live|publisher=Fedora Project |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831003744/https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/releases/ |archive-date=31 August 2023 }}</ref>
<!-- Please don't (re)move the following mention of Linus Torvalds. It is here because of WP:LEAD which states "Consideration should be given to creating interest in the article." A high profile user such as Linus Torvalds certainly creates interest. --> {{As of|2016|February}}, Fedora Linux has an estimated 1.2 million users,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/3038353/linux/fedora-project-leader-matthew-miller-reveals-whats-in-store-for-fedora-in-2016.html | title=Fedora project leader Matthew Miller reveals what's in store for Fedora in 2016 | date=26 February 2016 | last1=Hoffman | first1=Chris | website=PC World | publisher=International Data Group | access-date=1 March 2016 | archive-date=1 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301073628/http://www.pcworld.com/article/3038353/linux/fedora-project-leader-matthew-miller-reveals-whats-in-store-for-fedora-in-2016.html | url-status=live }}</ref> including Linus Torvalds, creator of the Linux kernel ({{As of|2025|November|lc=yes}}).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tuxradar.com/content/interview-linus-torvalds-linux-format-163 | title=Interview with Linus Torvalds from Linux Format 163 | date=29 November 2012 | website=TuxRadar | publisher=Linux Format | access-date=4 August 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140119045740/http://www.tuxradar.com/content/interview-linus-torvalds-linux-format-163 | archive-date=19 January 2014 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://plus.google.com/+LinusTorvalds/posts/Wh3qTjMMbLC | title=The merge window being over, and things being calm made me think I should try upgrading to F21 | date=30 December 2014 | website=Google+ | last=Torvalds | first=Linus | author-link=Linus Torvalds | access-date=3 May 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150809144221/https://plus.google.com/+LinusTorvalds/posts/Wh3qTjMMbLC | archive-date=9 August 2015 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/look-whats-inside-linus-torvalds-latest-linux-development-pc/ |title=Look what's inside Linus Torvalds' latest Linux development PC |last1=Vaughan-Nichols |first1=Stephen J. |publisher=ZDNet |date=27 May 2020 |access-date=8 January 2021 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106010901/https://www.zdnet.com/article/look-whats-inside-linus-torvalds-latest-linux-development-pc/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite interview |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfv0V1SxbNA&t=2697s |date=30 November 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251203075314/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfv0V1SxbNA |archive-date=3 December 2025 |title=Building the PERFECT Linux PC with Linus Torvalds |last=Torvalds |first=Linus |subject-link=Linus Torvalds |interviewer-last=Sebastian |interviewer-first=Linus |interviewer-link=Linus Sebastian |publisher=Linus Media Group |access-date=3 December 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Features == Fedora has a reputation for focusing on innovation, integrating new technologies early on and working closely with upstream Linux communities.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web | url=http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Staying_close_to_upstream_projects | title=Staying close to upstream projects | publisher=Fedora Project | access-date=24 May 2015 | archive-date=5 August 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805082914/http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Staying_close_to_upstream_projects | url-status=live }}</ref> Making changes upstream instead of specifically for Fedora Linux ensures that the changes are available to all Linux distributions.
Fedora Linux has a relatively short life cycle: Each version is usually supported for at least 13 months, where version {{var|X}} is supported only until one month after version {{var|X}}+2 is released and with approximately six months between most versions.<ref name="Fedora Release Life Cycle">{{cite web | url=https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Fedora_Release_Life_Cycle | title=Fedora Release Life Cycle | publisher=Fedora Project | access-date=25 March 2014 | archive-date=14 July 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714051350/https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Fedora_Release_Life_Cycle | url-status=live }}</ref> Fedora users can upgrade from version to version without reinstalling.<ref name="FedUp">{{cite web | url=http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/FedUp | title=FedUp | publisher=Fedora Project | access-date=25 March 2014 | archive-date=25 March 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325165842/http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/FedUp | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Fedora Project">{{cite web | url=https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/Fedora/23/html/Release_Notes/sect-Release_Notes-Changes_for_Sysadmin.html | title=Fedora 23 Release Notes: 3.2.4. System Upgrades with DNF | publisher=Fedora Project | access-date=1 October 2015 | archive-date=2 October 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002160157/https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/Fedora/23/html/Release_Notes/sect-Release_Notes-Changes_for_Sysadmin.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
The default desktop environment is GNOME, and the default user interface is the GNOME Shell. Other desktop environments are available, including KDE Plasma, COSMIC, Xfce, LXQt, LXDE, MATE, Cinnamon, and Budgie as well as window managers including i3, and Sway.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/01/installing-the-mate-and-cinnamon-desktops-on-fedora-18/ | title=How to install the MATE and Cinnamon desktops on Fedora 18 | last=Brodkin | first=Jon | publisher=Ars Technica | date=15 January 2013 | access-date=15 January 2013 | archive-date=17 January 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117223625/http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/01/installing-the-mate-and-cinnamon-desktops-on-fedora-18/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="deepin">{{cite web |last1=Mutai |first1=Josphat |title=Install Deepin Desktop Environment on Fedora 30 |url=https://computingforgeeks.com/how-to-install-deepin-desktop-environment-on-fedora/ |website=Computing for Geeks |access-date=25 June 2019 |date=2 May 2019 |archive-date=25 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190625021431/https://computingforgeeks.com/how-to-install-deepin-desktop-environment-on-fedora/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
A live media drive can be created using Fedora Media Writer, the official bootable USB creator for Fedora Linux, or the dd command,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/Fedora/26/html/Installation_Guide/sect-preparing-boot-media.html | title=Preparing Boot Media | publisher=Red Hat | access-date=30 July 2017 | archive-date=30 July 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730110255/https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/Fedora/26/html/Installation_Guide/sect-preparing-boot-media.html | url-status=live }}</ref> allowing users to try Fedora Linux without writing any changes to their hard drives.
=== Package management === Most Fedora Linux editions use the RPM package management system and DNF as a tool to manage installed software.<ref name="lwn580223">{{cite web|url=https://lwn.net/Articles/580223/|title=DNF and Yum in Fedora|last=Edge|first=Jake|publisher=LWN.net|date=15 January 2014|access-date=29 March 2015|archive-date=30 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930225233/https://lwn.net/Articles/580223/|url-status=live}}</ref> DNF uses libsolv, an external dependency resolver.<ref name="lwn580223" /> Flatpak is also included by default.
The CoreOS and Silverblue editions are designed for operating system-level virtualization. These editions use rpm-ostree (a hybrid transactional image/package system),<ref name="rpm-ostree">{{Cite web|url=https://github.com/coreos/rpm-ostree|title=⚛📦 Hybrid image/package system with atomic upgrades and package layering: coreos/rpm-ostree|date=5 December 2019|via=GitHub|access-date=9 December 2019|archive-date=12 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212212008/https://github.com/coreos/rpm-ostree|url-status=live}}</ref> and traditional RPM (or other package management systems) can be used in containers.
=== Security === Fedora Linux uses Security-Enhanced Linux by default, which implements a variety of security policies, including mandatory access controls, which Fedora adopted early on.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://w3.linux-magazine.com/issue/69/Access_Control_with_SELinux.pdf | title=Security Hardened - Mandatory Access Control with SELinux | last=Spenneberg | first=Ralf | publisher=Linux New Media USA | series=Linux Magazine, Issue 69 | date=August 2006 | access-date=7 October 2007 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013005525/http://w3.linux-magazine.com/issue/69/Access_Control_with_SELinux.pdf | archive-date=13 October 2007 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> Fedora provides a hardening wrapper, and does hardening for all of its packages by using compiler features such as position-independent executable (PIE).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/Harden_All_Packages | title=Harden All Packages | publisher=Fedora Project | access-date=28 March 2017 | archive-date=28 June 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628173257/https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/Harden_All_Packages | url-status=live }}</ref> Fedora also ships with firewalld as a default firewall.
=== Software === Fedora Workstation comes preinstalled with a wide range of software such as LibreOffice and Firefox. Additional software is available from the software repositories and can be installed using the DNF package manager or GNOME Software.
Additionally, extra repositories can be added to the system, so that software not available in Fedora Linux can be installed easily.<ref name="Fedora 26 System Administrators Guide">{{cite web | url= https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/Fedora/26/html/System_Administrators_Guide/sec-Managing_DNF_Repositories.html | title= Adding, Enabling, and Disabling a DNF Repository | publisher= Fedora Project | access-date= 29 July 2017 | archive-date= 29 July 2017 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170729095056/https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/Fedora/26/html/System_Administrators_Guide/sec-Managing_DNF_Repositories.html | url-status= live }}</ref> Software that is not available via official Fedora repositories, either because it does not meet Fedora's definition of free software or because its distribution may violate US law, can be installed using third-party repositories. Popular third-party repositories include RPM Fusion free and non-free repositories. Fedora also provides users with an easy-to-use build system for creating their own repositories called Copr.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://copr.fedorainfracloud.org/ | title=Fedora Copr | publisher=Fedora Project | access-date=26 June 2017 | archive-date=22 June 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622085411/https://copr.fedorainfracloud.org/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
Since the release of Fedora 25, the operating system defaults to the Wayland display server protocol, which replaced the X Window System.<ref>{{Cite web| last = Staff| first = Ars| title = Fedora 25: With Wayland, Linux has never been easier (or more handsome)| work = Ars Technica| access-date = 22 December 2017| date = 16 December 2016| url = https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/12/fedora-25-review-the-best-linux-distro-of-2016-arrived-at-the-last-moment/| archive-date = 3 December 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171203125152/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/12/fedora-25-review-the-best-linux-distro-of-2016-arrived-at-the-last-moment/| url-status = live}}</ref> As of Fedora 41, both the GNOME and KDE editions do not ship with X.Org Server session support by default.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Fedora 41's GNOME to go Wayland-only |url=https://www.theregister.com/2024/03/13/fedora_41_drops_x_gnome/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007052458/https://www.theregister.com/2024/03/13/fedora_41_drops_x_gnome/ |archive-date=7 October 2024 |access-date=30 January 2025 |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Editions == Beginning with Fedora 21, the distribution was available in three editions,<ref name="arstechnica fedora21" /> expanded to six editions as of version 42.<ref name="official website" /><ref name="Fedora Docs">{{Cite web|title=Getting Started|url=https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora/latest/getting-started/|access-date=18 February 2023|website=Fedora Docs|quote="Fedora is provided in several distribution items tailored for special Purposes. We call it Editions and spins."|archive-date=19 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719135128/https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora/latest/getting-started/|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Workstation=== thumb|290x290px|Fedora Workstation 41 with its default applications The Fedora Workstation editions target users who want a reliable, user-friendly, and powerful operating system for their laptop or desktop computer while still being on the cutting edge of new technologies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The leading Linux desktop |url=https://fedoraproject.org/workstation/ |access-date=30 January 2025 |website=fedoraproject.org}}</ref> They come with GNOME by default but other desktops can be installed, including KDE Plasma, which was promoted to a regular edition on the same level as Fedora Workstation with GNOME starting with Fedora 42.<ref>{{cite web |title=Issue #504: Request to upgrade Fedora KDE Desktop Spin to Edition status under the Personal Systems WG - tickets - Pagure.io |url=https://pagure.io/Fedora-Council/tickets/issue/504 |access-date=30 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Fedora 42's big upgrade delivers new spins for COSMIC and KDE Plasma - and much more |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/fedora-42s-big-upgrade-delivers-new-spins-for-cosmic-and-kde-plasma-and-much-more/ |access-date=18 April 2025 |website=ZDNET |language=en}}</ref>
==== Spins and remixes ==== thumb|290x290px|Fedora with the KDE Plasma Desktop, one of the several official Fedora Spins. As of Fedora 42, it became an official Fedora edition alongside Fedora Workstation with GNOME. The Fedora project officially distributes different variations called "Fedora Spins"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://spins.fedoraproject.org/index.html.en|title=Fedora Spins|website=spins.fedoraproject.org|access-date=9 December 2019|archive-date=18 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318234404/https://spins.fedoraproject.org/index.html.en|url-status=live}}</ref> which are Fedora Linux with different desktop environments. The current official spins, as of Fedora 43, are Xfce,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fedora XFCE |url=https://www.fedoraproject.org/spins/xfce/ |access-date=19 June 2023 |website=www.fedoraproject.org}}</ref> LXQt,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fedora LXQt Spin |url=https://fedoraproject.org/spins/lxqt/ |access-date=12 February 2024 |website=fedoraproject.org |archive-date=19 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719135723/https://fedoraproject.org/spins/lxqt/ |url-status=live }}</ref> MATE (with Compiz),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fedora MATE+Compiz Spin |url=https://fedoraproject.org/spins/mate/ |access-date=12 February 2024 |website=fedoraproject.org |archive-date=19 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719135729/https://fedoraproject.org/spins/mate/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Cinnamon,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fedora Cinnamon Spin |url=https://fedoraproject.org/spins/cinnamon/ |access-date=12 February 2024 |website=fedoraproject.org |archive-date=19 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719135738/https://fedoraproject.org/spins/cinnamon/ |url-status=live }}</ref> LXDE,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fedora LXDE Spin |url=https://fedoraproject.org/spins/lxde/ |access-date=12 February 2024 |website=fedoraproject.org}}</ref> SoaS,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fedora Sugar on a Stick Spin |url=https://fedoraproject.org/spins/soas/ |access-date=12 February 2024 |website=fedoraproject.org}}</ref> i3,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fedora i3 Spin |url=https://fedoraproject.org/spins/i3/ |access-date=12 February 2024 |website=fedoraproject.org}}</ref> KDE Plasma Mobile,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Fedora KDE Plasma Mobile Spin |url=https://www.fedoraproject.org/spins/kde-mobile/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251108083811/https://www.fedoraproject.org/spins/kde-mobile/ |archive-date=8 November 2025 |access-date=8 November 2025 |website=Fedora Project}}</ref> Budgie,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fedora Budgie Spin |url=https://www.fedoraproject.org/spins/budgie/ |access-date=19 June 2023 |website=www.fedoraproject.org}}</ref> Sway,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fedora Sway Spin |url=https://www.fedoraproject.org/spins/sway/ |access-date=19 June 2023 |website=www.fedoraproject.org}}</ref> [https://miracle-wm.org/ Miracle],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fedora Miracle Window Manager Spin |url=https://fedoraproject.org/spins/miraclewm/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251108083742/https://fedoraproject.org/spins/miraclewm/ |archive-date=8 November 2025 |access-date=9 November 2025 |website=Fedora Project}}</ref> and COSMIC.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fedora COSMIC Spin |url=https://fedoraproject.org/spins/cosmic/ |access-date=18 April 2025 |website=fedoraproject.org}}</ref>
In addition to Spins, which are official variants of the Fedora system, the project allows unofficial variants to use the term "Fedora Remix" without asking for further permission, although a different logo (provided) is required.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Remix|title=Remix - Fedora Project Wiki|website=fedoraproject.org|access-date=28 September 2019|archive-date=4 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904111541/https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Remix|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Atomic desktops === thumb|290x290px|A fresh install of Silverblue 41 Fedora offers immutable editions known as "Atomic Desktops".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Getting Started # Fedora Variants and how to install |url=https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora/latest/getting-started/#_fedora_variants_and_how_to_install |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719135128/https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora/latest/getting-started/#_fedora_variants_and_how_to_install |archive-date=19 July 2024 |access-date=18 February 2023 |website=Fedora Docs |language=en |quote="An immutable desktop variant of Fedora Workstation Edition"}}</ref><ref name="Silverblue docs">{{Cite web |title=Fedora Silverblue User Guide |url=https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora-silverblue/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011040633/https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora-silverblue/ |archive-date=11 October 2021 |access-date=18 February 2023 |website=Fedora Docs |language=en |quote="Fedora Silverblue is a variant of Fedora Workstation."}}</ref> Separate editions are offered per desktop environment, currently there are editions for Budgie, COSMIC, GNOME (Silverblue), KDE Plasma (Kinoite) and Sway.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atomic Desktops for Fedora |url=https://fedoraproject.org/atomic-desktops/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250113000343/https://fedoraproject.org/atomic-desktops/ |archive-date=13 January 2025 |access-date=12 January 2025 |website=fedoraproject.org |language=en}}</ref> Every atomic desktop installation is identical to every other installation of the same version, and it never changes as it is used. The immutable design is intended to make the operating system more stable, less prone to bugs, easier to test and develop, and create a platform for containerized applications as well as container-based software development. Applications and containers are kept separate from the host system. OS updates are fast and there is no installation stage. It is possible to roll back to the previous version of the operating system, if something goes wrong.<ref name="Silverblue docs"/>
The long-term goal for this effort is to transform Fedora Workstation into an image-based system where applications are separate from the OS, and updates are atomic. Fedora developers, Red Hat engineers, along with independent contributors have been developing or contributing to software used in the atomic desktops such as OSTree, Wayland, Flatpak, and rpm-ostree support in GNOME Software, etc. Project Atomic added new features like package layering to rpm-ostree and added rpm-ostree support to Anaconda.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora-silverblue/_attachments/team-silverblue-origins.pdf |title=Team Silverblue – The Origins |publisher=docs.fedoraproject.org |language=English |access-date=7 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719135018/https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora-silverblue/_attachments/team-silverblue-origins.pdf |archive-date=19 July 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>
===Server=== Its target usage is for servers. It includes the latest data center technologies. This edition does not come with a desktop environment, but one can be installed. From Fedora 28, Server Edition will deliver Fedora Modularity,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://docs.pagure.org/modularity/|title=Fedora Modularity|website=Fedora Modularity|access-date=3 May 2018|archive-date=5 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505055612/https://docs.pagure.org/modularity/|url-status=live}}</ref> adding support for alternative update streams for popular software such as Node.js and Go.
===IoT=== Images of Fedora Linux tailored to running on Internet of Things devices. It supports x86_64, aarch64 and armhfp processors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Get Fedora |url=http://getfedora.org/ |access-date=5 May 2022 |website=getfedora.org |language=en |archive-date=11 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711030627/https://getfedora.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
===CoreOS=== The successor of ''Fedora Atomic Host'' (Project Atomic) and Container Linux after Fedora 29,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mabe|first=Dusty|date=21 November 2019|title=Fedora Atomic Host Nearing End Of Life|url=https://www.projectatomic.io/blog/2019/11/fedora-atomic-host-nearing-eol/|access-date=8 January 2022|website=www.projectatomic.io|language=en|archive-date=29 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629083338/http://www.projectatomic.io/blog/2019/11/fedora-atomic-host-nearing-eol/|url-status=live}}</ref> it provides a minimal image of Fedora Linux which includes just the bare essentials. This is not to be confused with Fedora Core. It is meant for deployment in cloud computing. It provides Fedora CoreOS images which are optimized minimal images for deploying containers.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://getfedora.org/en/coreos?stream=stable |title=Get Fedora |access-date=30 August 2021 |archive-date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729163949/https://getfedora.org/en/coreos/?stream=stable |url-status=live }}</ref> CoreOS replaced the established Container Linux when it was merged with Project Atomic<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mabe|first=Dusty|date=20 June 2018|title=Announcing the Fedora CoreOS community!|url=https://www.projectatomic.io/blog/2018/06/welcome-to-fedora-coreos/|access-date=8 January 2022|website=www.projectatomic.io|language=en|archive-date=19 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719135138/https://projectatomic.io/blog/2018/06/welcome-to-fedora-coreos/|url-status=live}}</ref> after its acquisition by Red Hat in January 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rosoff|first=Matt|date=30 January 2018|title=Red Hat pays $250 million for CoreOS, a start-up that sells Google-developed technology|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/30/red-hat-buys-coreos-for-250-mililon.html|access-date=8 January 2022|website=CNBC|language=en}}</ref>
=== Labs === Similar to Debian blends, the Fedora Project also distributes custom variations of Fedora Linux called Fedora Labs.<ref name="spins">{{cite web|url=https://labs.fedoraproject.org|title=Fedora Labs|publisher=Fedora Project|access-date=3 February 2014|archive-date=27 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527014955/https://labs.fedoraproject.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> These are built with specific sets of software packages, targeting specific interests such as gaming, security, design,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://labs.fedoraproject.org/en_GB/design-suite|title=Fedora Design Suite|website=Fedora Design Suite|access-date=3 May 2018|archive-date=4 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504155406/https://labs.fedoraproject.org/en_GB/design-suite/|url-status=dead}}</ref> robotics,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spins.fedoraproject.org/robotics/|title=Fedora Robotics Edition|publisher=Fedora Project|access-date=18 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328180415/http://spins.fedoraproject.org/robotics/|archive-date=28 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Robotics|title=Fedora Robotics Wiki|publisher=Fedora Project|access-date=18 March 2015|archive-date=28 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328105641/http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Robotics|url-status=live}}</ref> and scientific computing<ref>{{cite web|url=https://labs.fedoraproject.org/en_GB/scientific/|title=Fedora Scientific|publisher=Fedora Project|access-date=3 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504092046/https://labs.fedoraproject.org/en_GB/scientific/|archive-date=4 May 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> (that includes SciPy, Octave, Kile, Xfig and Inkscape).
The Fedora AOS (Appliance Operating System) was a specialized spin of Fedora Linux with reduced memory footprint for use in software appliances. Appliances are pre-installed, pre-configured, system images. This spin was intended to make it easier for anyone (developers, independent software vendors (ISV), original equipment manufacturers (OEM), etc.) to create and deploy virtual appliances.
=== Architectures === x86-64 and ARM AArch64 are the primary architectures supported by Fedora.<ref name="Architectures" /> As of release 38, Fedora also supports IBM Power64le, IBM Z ("s390x"), MIPS-64el, MIPS-el and RISC-V as secondary architectures.
Fedora 28 was the last release that supported ppc64 and users are advised to move to the little endian ppc64le variant.<ref name="Fedora PPC64">{{cite web |title=DiscontinuePPC64 - Fedora Project Wiki |url=https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/DiscontinuePPC64 |access-date=30 October 2018 |archive-date=30 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030170357/https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/DiscontinuePPC64 |url-status=live }}</ref> Fedora 36 was the last release with support for ARM-hfp.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/RetireARMv7|title=Changes/RetireARMv7 - Fedora Project Wiki|date=1 December 2021|website=fedoraproject.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108163422/https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/RetireARMv7|archive-date=8 November 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Alternatives === The Fedora Project also distributes several other versions<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://alt.fedoraproject.org/|title=Fedora Alternative Downloads|website=Fedora Alternative Downloads|access-date=26 January 2018|archive-date=29 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129130916/https://alt.fedoraproject.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> with fewer use cases than mentioned above, like network installers and minimal installation images. They are intended for special cases or expert users that want to have custom installations or configuring Fedora from scratch.
In addition, all acceptable licenses for Fedora Linux (including copyright, trademark, and patent licenses) must be applicable not only to Red Hat or Fedora, but also to all recipients downstream. This means that any "Fedora-only" licenses, or licenses with specific terms that Red Hat or Fedora meets but that other recipients would not are not acceptable (and almost certainly non-free, as a result).
== History ==
The name of Fedora derives from the original "Fedora Linux", a volunteer project that provided extra software for the Red Hat Linux distribution, and from the characteristic fedora hat used in Red Hat's "Shadowman" logo. Warren Togami began Fedora Linux in 2002 as an undergraduate project at the University of Hawaii,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/User:Wtogami?rd=WarrenTogami|title=Warren Togami|publisher=fedoraproject.org|access-date=20 October 2021|archive-date=19 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019012539/https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/User:Wtogami?rd=WarrenTogami|url-status=live}}</ref> intended to provide a single repository for well-tested third-party software packages so that non-Red Hat software would be easier to find, develop, and use. The key difference between Fedora Linux and Red Hat Linux was that Fedora's repository development would be collaborative with the global volunteer community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.linux.com/archive/feature/31767|title=Warren Togami on the new Fedora Project|last=Barr|first=Joe|date=1 October 2003|publisher=Linux.com|access-date=9 February 2010|archive-date=20 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020105212/https://www.linux.com/news/feature-8-cores-budget-building-better-workstation/|url-status=live}}</ref> The original Fedora Linux was eventually absorbed into the Fedora Project, carrying with it this collaborative approach.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://togami.com/~warren/archive/2006/lax_seminar_fedora_feb_2006.odp|title=Why Fedora?|last=Togami|first=Warren|date=February 2006|format=ODP|access-date=30 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831065506/http://togami.com/~warren/archive/2006/lax_seminar_fedora_feb_2006.odp|archive-date=31 August 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Fedora Project is sponsored primarily by Red Hat with additional support and sponsors from other companies and organizations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://getfedora.org/sponsors |title=Fedora Sponsors |access-date=7 December 2019 |archive-date=24 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191124143452/https://fedoraproject.org/sponsors/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2003, Fedora Linux and Red Hat Linux merged to create the Fedora Project and its distribution, Fedora Core. The Red Hat Linux product was discontinued so the team could focus on their paid version for servers: Red Hat Enterprise Linux.<ref name="newdirection">{{cite mailing list | url=http://www.redhat.com/archives/rhl-list/2003-September/msg00064.html | title=Fedora Project: Announcing New Direction | date=22 September 2003 | access-date=18 October 2007 | mailing-list=Fedora development | last=Johnson | first=Michael K. | archive-date=20 November 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071120053411/http://www.redhat.com/archives/rhl-list/2003-September/msg00064.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Red Hat Enterprise Linux was to be Red Hat's only officially supported Linux distribution, while Fedora was to be a community distribution.<ref name="newdirection" /> Red Hat Enterprise Linux branches its releases from versions of Fedora.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.redhat.com/magazine/022aug06/features/fedora_rhel_4/ | title=The Fedora Project and Red Hat Enterprise Linux, part 4 | last=Burke | first=Tim | publisher=Red Hat | series=Red Hat Magazine, Issue #22 | date=August 2006 | access-date=18 October 2007 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012162113/http://www.redhat.com/magazine/022aug06/features/fedora_rhel_4/ | archive-date=12 October 2007 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>
Before Fedora 7, Fedora Linux was called Fedora Core after the name of one of the two main software repositories - Core and Extras. Fedora Core contained all the base packages that were required by the operating system, as well as other packages that were distributed along with the installation media, and was maintained only by Red Hat developers. Fedora Extras, the secondary repository that had been included since Fedora Core 3, was community-maintained and not distributed along with the installation media. Upon the release of Fedora 7, the distinction between Fedora Core and Fedora Extras was eliminated.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/7 | title=Releases/7 | publisher=Fedora Project | access-date=27 February 2014 | archive-date=27 February 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227074208/https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/7 | url-status=live }}</ref>
Since the release of Fedora 21, as an effort to bring modularization to the Fedora distribution and make development more agile,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fedoramagazine.org/fedora-present-and-future-a-fedora-next-2014-update-part-i-why/ |title=Fedora Present and Future: a Fedora.next 2014 Update (Part I, "Why?") |publisher=Fedora Magazine |date=19 March 2014 |last=Miller |first=Matthew |access-date=23 July 2017 |archive-date=9 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809011809/https://fedoramagazine.org/fedora-present-and-future-a-fedora-next-2014-update-part-i-why/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://old.lwn.net/Articles/680278/ |title=Modularizing Fedora |date=16 March 2016 |last=Corbet |first=Jonathan |work=LWN.net |access-date=23 July 2017 |archive-date=9 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809000025/https://old.lwn.net/Articles/680278/ |url-status=live }}</ref> three different versions are available: ''Workstation'', focused on the personal computer, ''Server'' and ''Atomic'' for servers, ''Atomic'' being the version meant for cloud computing.<ref name="arstechnica fedora21" />
Fedora is a trademark of Red Hat, Inc. Red Hat's application for trademark status for the name "Fedora" was disputed by Cornell University and the University of Virginia Library, creators of the unrelated Fedora Commons digital repository management software.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.cnet.com/2100-7344_3-5110750.html | title=Red Hat, researchers in name tiff | last1=Becker | first1=David | date=21 November 2003 | website=CNET News | publisher=CBS Interactive Inc. | access-date=3 February 2014 | archive-date=21 February 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221213345/http://news.cnet.com/2100-7344_3-5110750.html | url-status=live }}</ref> The issue was resolved and the parties settled on a co-existence agreement that stated that the Cornell-UVA project could use the name when clearly associated with open source software for digital object repository systems and that Red Hat could use the name when it was clearly associated with open source computer operating systems.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.fedora-commons.org/about/history | title=Fedora Repository Project History | access-date=3 February 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222164932/http://www.fedora-commons.org/about/history | archive-date=22 February 2014 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>
In April 2020, project leader Matthew Miller announced that Fedora Workstation would be shipping on select new ThinkPad laptops, thanks to a new partnership with Lenovo.<ref name="Miller 2020">{{cite web | last=Miller | first=Matthew | title=Coming soon: Fedora on Lenovo laptops! | website=Fedora Magazine | date=24 April 2020 | url=https://fedoramagazine.org/coming-soon-fedora-on-lenovo-laptops/ | access-date=7 May 2020 | archive-date=7 May 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200507134802/https://fedoramagazine.org/coming-soon-fedora-on-lenovo-laptops/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
Framework officially supports Fedora Workstation on their laptops.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fix Consumer Electronics |url=https://frame.work/linux |access-date=30 January 2025 |website=Framework |language=en}}</ref>
== Development and community == {{See also|Fedora Project}} thumb|The core values of the Fedora community Development of the operating system and supporting programs is headed by the Fedora Project, which is composed of a community of developers and volunteers, and also Red Hat employees.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/project/|title=Overview - Fedora Project|website=Fedora Project wiki|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-date=4 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804074726/https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/project/|url-status=live}}</ref> The council is the top-level community leadership and governance body. Other bodies include the Fedora Engineering Steering Committee, responsible for the technical decisions behind the development of Fedora, and Fedora Mindshare Committee which coordinates outreach and non-technical activities, including representation of Fedora Worldwide e.g.: Ambassadors Program, CommOps team and Marketing, Design and Websites Team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/project/leadership/index.html|title=Leadership - Fedora Project|website=Fedora Project|access-date=20 April 2020|archive-date=31 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731042543/https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/project/leadership/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== AI Policies and Proposals === On July 2024, Fedora released a survey to its users on what they thought about introducing AI technologies into Fedora. Despite the survey announcer Aoife Moloney wanting to "keep the tone of this survey positive about AI", data scientist Greg Sutcliffe found that "'no' is pretty much the largest category in every case" on using AI on tasks in Fedora, with a strong rejection on AI usage overall.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Brockmeier |first=Joe |date=2025-10-01 |title=Fedora floats AI-assisted contributions policy |url=https://lwn.net/Articles/1039623/ |access-date=2026-05-08 |work=LWN.net |language=en-US}}</ref> Despite that, a draft policy for AI policy was published on September 22, 2025<ref name=":2" /> and was approved a month later on October 22, 2025. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Tim |date=2025-10-23 |title=Fedora agrees policy allowing AI-assisted contributions |url=https://www.theregister.com/software/2025/10/23/fedora-agrees-policy-allowing-ai-assisted-contributions/653046 |access-date=2026-05-08 |website=The Register |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2026, a proposal to make a variant of Fedora specifically for AI was made. The proposal was set up so that changes in the Fedora Project would make it easier for creation of the Fedora AI variant, including the setup of a LTS kernel on Fedora. OSNews writer Thron Holwerda noted the Fedora Project Leader Jef Spaleta responded to criticism that this AI variant would damage the reputation of Fedora with:<blockquote>As the Fedora Project Leader, I am absolutely not concerned about the reputational damage to this project that comes with setting up an entirely new output attractive to developers who want to make use of Ai tools. <ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Fedora Project Leader says he doesn’t care about the reputational damage from Fedora embracing “AI” – OSnews |url=https://www.osnews.com/story/144894/fedora-project-leader-says-he-doesnt-care-about-the-reputational-damage-from-fedora-embracing-ai/ |access-date=2026-05-08 |website=www.osnews.com}}</ref> </blockquote>As a result of the discussion; Fernando Mancera, a "long-time" Fedora Contributor, left the Fedora Project. The Fedora AI proposal was unanimously approved on May 6,<ref name=":3" /> though stalled two days later after two council members changed their vote after significant community backlash over the proposal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-05-15 |title=Heavy Community Backlash Blocks Fedora's AI Developer Desktop Initiative |url=https://itsfoss.com/news/fedora-ai-developer-desktop-stalled/ |access-date=2026-05-19 |website=It's FOSS |language=en}}</ref> Justin Wheeler, whilst 'still strongly supporting the proposal' posted his vote to reject the proposal (-1) on May 8 after 'public and private feedback' highlighted the significant structural changes that would be required, and that feedback from kernel subject-matter experts had to be formally incorporated into the proposal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wheeler |first=Justin |title=Comment by user "jflory7" - Community Initiative Proposal: Fedora AI Developer Desktop Initiative #562 |url=https://forge.fedoraproject.org/council/tickets/issues/562?ref=itsfoss.com#issuecomment-698875 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-05-19 |website=forge.fedoraproject.org}}</ref> On May 14, Miro Hrončok posted his vote to reject the proposal'','' after concerns were raised to him after the initial vote that the Fedora community was "not supportive of this initiative as is". Hrončok conceded that his assumptions about proposal being only "additive" in nature and that it would not be controversial were incorrect, and felt that further understanding is required before he could approve the proposal "with a clear conscience."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hrončok |first=Miro |title=Comment by user "churchyard" - Community Initiative Proposal: Fedora AI Developer Desktop Initiative #562 |url=https://forge.fedoraproject.org/council/tickets/issues/562?ref=itsfoss.com#issuecomment-711131 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-05-19 |website=forge.fedoraproject.org}}</ref>
== Releases == {{Main|Fedora Linux release history}}
[[File:Fedora Core 1.png|thumb|Fedora Core 1.0, a continuation of Red Hat Linux with GNOME 2.4 (November 2003)]] [[File:Fedora 15 Lovelock Gnome3.png|thumb|Fedora 15 (Lovelock), the first release with GNOME 3 and GNOME Shell (May 2011)]] [[File:Fedora 21 desktop screenshot.png|thumb|Fedora 21, a version that brought experimental Wayland and HiDPI support (December 2014)]]
Fedora has a relatively short life cycle: version {{var|X}} is supported only until 1 month after version {{var|X}}+2 is released and with approximately 6 months between most versions, meaning a version of Fedora is usually supported for at least 13 months, possibly longer.<ref name="Fedora Release Life Cycle" /> Fedora users can upgrade from version to version without reinstalling.<ref name="FedUp" /><ref name="Fedora Project" />
The current release is Fedora 44, which was released on 28 April 2026.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Spaleta |first=Jef |date=2026-04-28 |title=The Fedora Linux 44 Release is Here! - Fedora Magazine |url=https://fedoramagazine.org/announcing-fedora-linux-44/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260428141939/https://fedoramagazine.org/announcing-fedora-linux-44/ |archive-date=2026-04-28 |access-date=2026-04-28 |work=Fedora Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> {{Releases Fedora Linux}} <!-- To edit go to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Releases_Fedora_Linux --> {{Timeline Fedora Linux}} <!-- To edit go to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Timeline_Fedora_Linux -->
=== Rawhide === Rawhide is the development tree for Fedora.<ref name="rawhide">{{cite web | url=https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/Rawhide?rd=Rawhide#Using_Rawhide | title=Releases/Rawhide | publisher=Fedora Project | access-date=12 December 2015 | archive-date=24 December 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224090337/https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/Rawhide?rd=Rawhide#Using_Rawhide | url-status=live }}</ref> This is a copy of a complete Fedora distribution where new software is added and tested, before inclusion in a later stable release. As such, Rawhide is often more feature rich than the current stable release. In many cases, the software is made of CVS, Subversion or Git source code snapshots which are often actively developed by programmers. Although Rawhide is targeted at advanced users, testers, and package maintainers, it is capable of being a primary operating system. Users interested in the Rawhide branch often update on a daily basis and help troubleshoot problems.<ref name="rawhide" /> Rawhide users do not have to upgrade between different versions as it follows a rolling release update model.
== See also == {{Portal|Linux|FOSS}} * ABRT * Fedora Media Writer * List of Linux distributions § RPM-based
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
== External links == {{Commons category|Fedora Linux}} * [https://fedoramagazine.org Fedora Magazine] * {{DistroWatch|fedoralinux|NAME=Fedora Linux}}
{{Fedora Project}} {{Fedora Linux derivatives}} {{Red Hat}} {{IBM operating systems}} {{IBM FOSS}} {{Linux-distro}}
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Category:ARM Linux distributions Category:Fedora Project Category:Linux distributions Category:Power ISA Linux distributions Category:PowerPC Linux distributions Category:RPM-based Linux distributions Category:X86-64 Linux distributions