First Release Candidate of Linux 6.1 Kernel Announced
The development cycle for the 6.1 Linux kernel is off and running with the availability of the first Release Candidate.
The 6.1 kernel has hit the RC stage. Although this won't bring about any massive or deal-making changes to Linux, there are still a few features to get excited about. Most important is the first inclusion of Rust, which will be greatly expanded over the coming years.
Other notable features include support for the new Intel Arc and AMD RDNA3 graphics, Multi-Gen LUR VM series (which will give the kernel a significant performance boost on memory-constrained systems), and the new Kernel Memory Sanitizer.
In addition, the x86_64 version will warn over W+X mappings, the AMD Platform Management Framework has been merged, five vulnerabilities with Wi-Fi handling – CVE-2022-41674 (kernels up to 5.19), CVE-2022-42719 (5.2 to 5.19), CVE-2022-42720 and CVE-2022-42721 (both 5.1 to 5.19), and CVE-2022-42722 (5.8 to 5.19) – have been fixed.
This release also has better support for Intel's new Gaudi2 AI accelerator chip, EUFI support for LoongArch CPUs, and more.
However, Linus Torvalds hasn't been 100% happy with how things have been going. Prior to the RC release, he made a very pointed statement about developers pulling all-nighters to meet deadlines.
On that issue, Torvalds said, "that should have gone out the window after high school. Not for kernel development."
Read more about the announcement in a message from Linus Torvalds on the Linux Kernel mailing list.

Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
Linux Kernel 6.17 is Available
Linus Torvalds has announced that the latest kernel has been released with plenty of core improvements and even more hardware support.
-
Kali Linux 2025.3 Released with New Hacking Tools
If you're a Kali Linux fan, you'll be glad to know that the third release of this famous pen-testing distribution is now available with updates for key components.
-
Zorin OS 18 Beta Available for Testing
The latest release from the team behind Zorin OS is ready for public testing, and it includes plenty of improvements to make it more powerful, user-friendly, and productive.
-
Fedora Linux 43 Beta Now Available for Testing
Fedora Linux 43 Beta ships with Gnome 49 and KDE Plasma 6.4 (and other goodies).
-
USB4 Maintainer Leaves Intel
Michael Jamet, one of the primary maintainers of USB4 and Thunderbolt drivers, has left Intel, leaving a gaping hole for the Linux community to deal with.
-
Budgie 10.9.3 Now Available
The latest version of this elegant and configurable Linux desktop aligns with changes in Gnome 49.
-
KDE Linux Alpha Available for Daring Users
It's official, KDE Linux has arrived, but it's not quite ready for prime time.
-
AMD Initiates Graphics Driver Updates for Linux Kernel 6.18
This new AMD update focuses on power management, display handling, and hardware support for Radeon GPUs.
-
AerynOS Alpha Release Available
With a choice of several desktop environments, AerynOS 2025.08 is almost ready to be your next operating system.
-
AUR Repository Still Under DDoS Attack
Arch User Repository continues to be under a DDoS attack that has been going on for more than two weeks.