Netrunner 26 launches with Linux 6.16 kernel, Debian 13 base, XLibre, and KDE Plasma 6.3.6

Netrunner 26 “Twilights” arrives as the latest version of this Debian-based Linux distribution for desktops, laptops, netbooks, and ARM devices. It is now built on Debian Stable 13 “Trixie”, which introduces system modernization, improved stability, and security enhancements over previous releases. This foundation ensures the latest security updates and stable software are available to users.

Building on this, Netrunner 26 adopts the Linux 6.16 kernel, offering enhanced hardware compatibility for new and existing AMD and Intel GPUs, sound, and wireless components. KDE Plasma 6.3.6 is now the flagship desktop environment and is accompanied by KDE Frameworks 6.13.0, bringing refreshed design and workflow improvements to the desktop experience.

Following these core updates, Netrunner 26 introduces the XLibre Xserver and shifts audio handling to PipeWire and WirePlumber. Unified Netrunner packages simplify system upgrades and make maintenance more accessible for both power users and newcomers. The distribution also ships with several updated Netrunner-specific tools, including Samba-mounter, Artwork, and an about-extended settings module. Stacher7 introduces a graphical tool for the yt-dlp media downloader, while power-profiles-daemon brings dynamic performance adjustments.

Further additions include updated translations for Firefox and LibreOffice, Qt 6.8.2, KDE Applications 25.04.3, and key open source apps like Firefox 140.7 ESR, LibreOffice 25.2.3, VLC 3.0.23, VirtualBox, Inkscape, GIMP, Thunderbird, and Kdenlive.