The QEMU project has announced version 10.2.0, emphasizing performance optimizations in its event loop and live migration features. This update introduces io_uring support for better I/O handling on Linux systems and a new cpr-exec migration mode to minimize disruptions during virtual machine updates. It also expands hardware emulation for architectures like ARM and RISC-V.
QEMU, an open-source emulator that enables running software from one hardware platform on another architecture, unveiled version 10.2.0 on January 7, 2026. The release targets enhancements in the core event loop, live migration efficiency, and support for various processor architectures including ARM, RISC-V, and HPPA.
A key upgrade involves integrating the io_uring asynchronous I/O interface on supported modern Linux hosts. This change aims to lower system overhead and reduce latency during intensive input/output tasks, benefiting users with high-performance virtualization needs.
In migration capabilities, the new cpr-exec mode stands out. It reuses existing states and connections to cut resource use, allowing virtual machines to update with little interruption while maintaining file descriptors and memory integrity.
For ARM and AArch64, the emulator now includes several new CPU features such as FEAT_SCTLR2, FEAT_TCR2, FEAT_LSE128, FEAT_ATS1A, and others like FEAT_AIE and FEAT_GCS. These additions enable testing of software reliant on recent ARM instruction sets.
RISC-V sees an update to OpenSBI version 1.7 and implementation of the HMP MonitorDef API. PowerPC gains compatibility with PowerNV11 and PPE42 CPUs, plus FADUMP support for pSeries systems to aid failure analysis. HPPA improvements, stemming from Google Summer of Code efforts, enhance emulation of the HP 715/64 workstation, incorporating the NCR 53c710 SCSI controller and HP LASI I/O controller.
On x86, a new MSHV accelerator supports Hyper-V guests without nested virtualization penalties, and the big QEMU lock for HPET has been eliminated. Storage features include 9pfs backend compatibility with FreeBSD hosts and RPMB emulation for eMMC devices, alongside QMP-exposed block boundaries.
Security updates allow multiple x509 certificate-key pairs in the cryptographic subsystem for smoother transitions to new standards. The security policy now specifies "security errors" for defined machine types and configurations.
Rust integration advances, requiring at least version 1.83, with PL011 and HPET devices reaching feature parity against C implementations. Obsolete elements removed include the -old-param option and ARM pxa CPU family, while wavcapture commands are marked for deprecation.
This release broadens QEMU's utility for developers and system administrators across diverse platforms.
