The EndeavourOS team has announced the release of Ganymede Neo, the latest stable snapshot of their Arch Linux-based distribution featuring the KDE Plasma desktop. This update includes the Linux 6.18 LTS kernel and KDE Plasma 6.5.4, along with several component upgrades. It marks the final installment in the Ganymede series before the shift to the upcoming Titan release.
The EndeavourOS project, known for providing an accessible entry point to the Arch Linux ecosystem, has rolled out Ganymede Neo as of January 2026. Published around January 12 to 15, this snapshot builds on the November 2025 Ganymede release, incorporating the long-term support Linux 6.18 kernel for enhanced stability and performance.
At its core, Ganymede Neo features KDE Plasma 6.5.4 as the desktop environment, supported by KDE Frameworks 6.22 and KDE Gear 25.12.1. Key updates under the hood include the Mesa 25.3.3 graphics stack for improved open-source graphics handling, the NVIDIA 590.48.01 driver, and the Calamares 26.01.1.5 installer, which now addresses previous long startup times for a smoother setup process. Other notable inclusions are Mozilla Firefox 146 and XOrg Server 21.1.21.
This release also removes the Nemo preview package from default bundles for Cinnamon and Budgie editions, following its upstream removal from Arch Linux repositories. As a rolling-release distribution, EndeavourOS allows users to update via a simple terminal command, ensuring continuous access to the latest software without full reinstalls.
Ganymede Neo concludes the current series, with developers now preparing EndeavourOS Titan for later in 2026. Titan will introduce KDE Plasma 6.6, Linux kernel 6.19, and further enhancements. Downloads are available from the official EndeavourOS website, catering to users seeking a lightweight, customizable Linux experience.
