Solus 4.8 brings Usr-Merge completion, Python 2 removal, updated desktop editions and more

Solus 4.8, code-named “Opportunity”, has been released as the latest version of this independent Linux distribution. With this release, the Solus team completed its long-running Usr-Merge transition and switched to the Polaris package repository. This strategic move enabled the removal of compatibility symlinks and allowed upgrades such as systemd 257.10. At the same time, all tooling was migrated to Python 3, making it possible to fully drop Python 2 support.

Building on this platform update, Solus 4.8 introduces the Plymouth splash screen by default, providing a refreshed visual experience during system startup. In the background, all repository packages now rely on the newer libgirepository 2.0 API version, helping future-proof application development on the platform. The release is powered by the Linux kernel 6.17.8, with support for the 6.12 LTS version, and offers updated software including Firefox 145, LibreOffice 25.2.6, Thunderbird 140, and Mesa 25.2.6.

Regarding desktop environments, Solus 4.8 features Budgie 10.9.4, GNOME 49.1, KDE Plasma 6.5.3 with updated KDE Frameworks and Gear, and moves Xfce 4.20 out of beta. Users of KDE Plasma will find that X11 sessions are no longer included by default on Plasma.