Score:7

Does support for Kubuntu 20.04 end in 2023?

vg flag

I've got a (K)ubuntu 20.04 system, as far as I can see:

$ cat /etc/lsb-release 
DISTRIB_ID=Ubuntu
DISTRIB_RELEASE=20.04
DISTRIB_CODENAME=focal
DISTRIB_DESCRIPTION="Ubuntu 20.04.5 LTS"

and I'm getting this notification in my tray area:

Upgrade available
Ubuntu on 22.04.1 LTS.
This version will stop receiving updates and security fixes in 124 days.

First, what is "this version"? 22.04.1 LTS or the current installed version (unidentified in the message, but 20.04.5 LTS as shown above)?

Second, I thought LTS means 5 year support, so it doesn't seem to agree with any of them. So what's the catch here? Is it a bogus message or what?

user535733 avatar
cn flag
"*I thought LTS means 5 year support*" See the [Kubuntu 20.04 Release Notes](https://wiki.ubuntu.com/FocalFossa/ReleaseNotes/Kubuntu), which has been consistent and very clear on this topic.
guiverc avatar
cn flag
Ubuntu release statements & announcements in my view are pretty clear; ie. https://fridge.ubuntu.com/2022/09/01/ubuntu-20-04-5-lts-released/ states "*Maintenance updates will be provided for 5 years for Ubuntu Desktop, Ubuntu Server, Ubuntu Cloud, and Ubuntu Core. All the remaining flavours will be supported for 3 years. Additional security support is available with ESM (Extended Security Maintenance).*" ie. Kubuntu being a *flavor* has 3 years. That matches Kubuntu release notes https://wiki.ubuntu.com/FocalFossa/ReleaseNotes/Kubuntu but partial support can be included by MOTU's for 5 years
guiverc avatar
cn flag
(*I ran out of space in last comment*), but I recommend reading @C.S.Cameron's answer, though technically Pilot6's is 100% accurate. The 3 years is *guaranteed* support provided by the *flavor* team, wider Ubuntu community support can continues for the full five years (C.S.Cameron's point!) such as here, it's just less support. Lubuntu (*another flavor of Ubuntu*) try to describe it in the release cycle found on this page - https://lubuntu.me/downloads/
muru avatar
us flag
Does this answer your question? [Why does Kubuntu and Xubuntu 16.04 LTS support end sooner than the official Ubuntu EOL date?](https://askubuntu.com/questions/967169/why-does-kubuntu-and-xubuntu-16-04-lts-support-end-sooner-than-the-official-ubun)
Bastion avatar
eg flag
To see what packages are in universe (3 year support) run: aptitude search "~i" -F "%s# %p" | grep universe
Score:2
cn flag

Kubuntu LTS has a 3-year support. For 20.04 it will end in April 2023.

You can upgrade to Kubuntu 22.04.

Tyler Ham avatar
cg flag
I'm also getting the message. I installed Ubuntu 20.04 LTS and then added the kubuntu-desktop package. Did installing that package cut 2 years of support from my Ubuntu 20.04 LTS installation?
guiverc avatar
cn flag
@TylerHam Your Ubuntu 20.04 LTS system will still get security packages& fixes, ie. be it a Kubuntu 20.04 ISO install, or a Ubuntu 20.04 ISO install with `kubuntu-desktop` added, so the packages from the *main* repository (which are all included on Ubuntu ISOs) get 5 years of fixes, however, flavors like Kubuntu use packages from *universe* which has only 3 years guaranteed; though a MOTU can correct issues up to 5 year mark, those will have ended support. You'll be on a partially supported system after April 2023; use `ubuntu-security-status` to explore these details on your system!
Score:2
cn flag

Ask Ubuntu EoSS for Flavors

Ask Ubuntu supports Ubuntu LTS flavors for the same amount of time as Vanilla LTS Ubuntu, that is five years.

See: https://meta.askubuntu.com/a/19617/43926

Specifically:

Point is that we never intended to follow the '3 year LTS' - we intended to support the full 5 years even for the flavors, which is what we've always done. My answer goes in depth to explain the difference and what it means, THEN what we will be doing with Ask Ubuntu and how we'll handle it differently than a given flavor team ;) –   Thomas Ward

Kubuntu 20.04 will be supported by AU until April 2025.

I sit in a Tesla and translated this thread with Ai:

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