Fedora 41: Best New Features (Workstation Edition)

Learn about the best new features of the Fedora 41 release (upcoming).

Fedora 41 is almost ready and due to next week. It’s packed with exciting updates that push the boundaries of the latest innovation in the Linux distribution space. From retiring outdated packages like Python 2.7 to introducing new spins like KDE Plasma Mobile and Miracle Window Manager, this release is all about staying ahead of all the distributions.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the best new features Fedora 41 has to offer, making it one of the most anticipated Fedora releases yet!

Core and GNOME 47

At the core of this release is Linux Kernel 6.11 which brings the latest hardware updates including support for recently released GPU, CPU, and other peripherals.

The Workstation edition features the latest GNOME 47 desktop environment. This release of GNOME brings an improved File manager with sidebar redesign, network view, newly designed modal dialogs and many new features. You can have a detailed read at the GNOME 47 feature guide.

Python 2.7 retiring

Fedora 41 is officially retiring Python 2.7. After nearly five years of extended support, it’s time to move on to Python 3. Legacy packages that still rely on Python 2.7 will either need to update or face retirement. GIMP will transition to version 3 with Python 3 support, and any remaining dependencies will be phased out. Developers still using Python 2 should switch to supported platforms—Fedora is done with Python 2.

A big one to watch is GIMP. The dependencies for GIMP still lean on Python 2, but no worries—GIMP 3 is coming with Fedora 41 as a development version until stable release.

Dnf5 is here, finally

Fedora 41 is switching the default package manager from dnf to dnf5, promising better performance and a smoother user experience. Dnf5 reduces the installation footprint by 60% and eliminates metadata redundancy by merging the functionality of dnf and microdnf. It also brings faster package queries and downloads, thanks to concurrent metadata loading. Plus, a unified user experience across servers, workstations, and containers means consistent behavior, with old commands like dnf and yum linked to dnf5 for easy migration.

New mobile Fedora spins

Fedora 41 introduces a KDE Plasma Mobile spin, bringing the flexibility of KDE Plasma to phones, tablets, and 2-in-1 laptops. This mobile-friendly interface works seamlessly across all touch devices. Alongside it, a Kinoite Mobile variant will be available, focusing on bootable container images. By targeting not just phones but all touchscreen devices, Fedora aims to expand its user base and make a strong entry into the mobile market.

Gimp 3

Fedora 41 will replace GIMP 2.x with GIMP 3, marking a major upgrade in the GNU Image Manipulation Program. GIMP 3 brings new features like better color management, CMYK support, and improved performance for high-res displays and tablets. Since GIMP 2.x relied on the outdated Python 2.7, GIMP 3 fully supports Python 3, allowing plugin developers to use modern features and packages. This update removes old dependencies, making GIMP more powerful and future-proof.

If you want to install it manually, use below:

sudo dnf install gimp3

Wayland only session

Fedora 41 is removing GNOME X11 packages from the default Workstation media, as part of GNOME’s move to phase out X11 support. Don’t worry, though – the packages will still be available in Fedora’s repositories for manual installation if needed. This change reflects the upstream push toward fully adopting Wayland as the default graphics platform for GNOME, aligning Fedora even more with that vision.

Since Fedora 36, Wayland has been the default for GNOME, providing a smoother and more modern experience, even for users with NVIDIA cards. By removing GNOME X11, Fedora team reaffirms their commitment to Wayland, ensuring that the future of GNOME on Fedora delivers the best performance and features. This also brings Fedora Workstation closer in line with Fedora KDE, which has already moved to Wayland.

Nvidia Driver Installation with Secure Boot Support

Fedora 41 is bringing Nvidia driver installation back to GNOME Software, now with Secure Boot support. Previously, the drivers were removed because they couldn’t handle Secure Boot, leading to boot issues. With this change, users will be able to easily install Nvidia drivers even with Secure Boot enabled.

The new process uses mokutil to create a key, allowing users to self-sign the drivers. During installation, you’ll provide a password for the key, and on the next reboot, you’ll be prompted to enroll it. This ensures Secure Boot compatibility, which is essential for modern systems.

This update is crucial for users who need Nvidia drivers, not just for gaming but also for workloads like CUDA, AI, and LLMs. Although Nvidia drivers can’t be bundled with Fedora due to licensing, this change ensures Fedora remains relevant for users needing high-performance graphics and computing.

Miracle Window Manager

Fedora 41 is introducing an official spin featuring the Miracle Window Manager, a tiling window manager built on the Mir compositor library. Though it’s a newer project, Miracle offers a range of features like manual tiling, floating window support, compatibility with many Wayland protocols, and even support for proprietary Nvidia drivers. As user interest in Miracle grows, this spin aims to create a polished tiling window experience within Fedora.

Miracle is designed to deliver a top-tier Wayland experience across various platforms, from low-end ARM devices to x86 systems. Fedora will be the first distro to offer a Miracle-based spin.

Core apps

As always, Fedora 41 is updating its core GNU Toolchain to include gcc 14.1+, binutils 2.42+, glibc 2.40, and gdb 14+. This update enhances the compiler, libraries, and debugging tools, ensuring developers have access to the latest versions for building and optimizing software.

Key updates include support for C++, Go, Fortran, and more through the GNU C Compiler 14.1+, improved binary utilities with binutils 2.42+, and a more efficient glibc 2.40. The gdb 14+ debugger will be available across all Fedora releases, enabling smooth debugging of system-generated binaries. This toolchain update ensures Fedora remains at the forefront of development environments.

In addition, user applications sees below version and updates:

• Firefox
• Thunderbird
• LibreOffice
• GNOME Web 47

Download

You can download the workstation edition (GNOME) of Fedora 41 beta from the below page:

Fedora Workstation 41 Beta

You can download the spins from the below torrent files.

Wrapping Up

Fedora 41 focuses on enhancing performance, and providing fresh new spins to enrich your experience. Improving package management with dnf5, streamlining Nvidia driver installation, or rolling out GIMP 3, all this proves again why Fedora is a compelling choice for all Linux users.

Fedora 41 officially releases on October 29, 2024.

Via Fedora 41 change log