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Linux kernel 7.3

Linux 7.3 is the newest stable Linux kernel, released on 18 October 2026. The latest bug-fix update is 7.3.1, and Ubuntu 26.10 ships it.

Released
18 Oct 2026
Released
Download Linux kernel 7.3 Official: kernel.org · Release notes ↗
Release type
Mainline stable kernel
Released
Oct 18, 2026
Latest update
7.3.1 (30 Oct 2026)
Long-term kernel
6.18 LTS, supported until Dec 2028

What's new in Linux kernel 7.3

Better VRAM sharing

GPUs with little video memory share it more fairly when several apps compete for it.

sched_ext sub-schedulers

Each cgroup can now run its own BPF-based task scheduler.

New sandboxing

A new failfs file system plus fchroot(2) gives a simple way to lock processes down.

Faster storage

Btrfs and Ext4 performance improvements, and faster FUSE over io_uring.

Source: kernelnewbies: Linux 7.3

Release timeline

  1. 7.2 out 16 Aug 2026
  2. Released 18 Oct 2026
  3. 7.3.1 update 30 Oct 2026
  4. Today 3 Nov 2026
  5. 7.4 expected 20-27 Dec 2026 · est.

Release log

Newest first. official from the project · report from news or other sites · estimate our own working.

  1. Oct 18, 2026 report Linux 7.3 was released on 18 October 2026.

How to get Linux kernel 7.3

Getting it

Most people never install a kernel by hand: Linux kernel 7.3 reaches you through your distribution's updates. Fast-moving distributions get it within weeks; LTS distributions stay on older kernels by design.

Doing it yourself

To build it yourself, download the source tarball from kernel.org, configure it and compile it. This is for developers and testers.

If you need a long-supported kernel, use the current LTS kernel instead of the newest one. kernel.org ↗

Linux kernel 7.3 editions and flavors

Stable kernelThe newest release, with bug-fix updates.kernel.org ↗Longterm (LTS) kernelsOlder kernels kept up to date for years.kernel.org ↗Mainline (release candidates)The next kernel while it is being tested.kernel.org ↗

All Linux kernel versions

Recent Linux kernel releases with their support status and an official download link.

VersionReleasedGapSupportGet it
Linux kernel 7.5 21 Feb-7 Mar 2027 Not out yet
Linux kernel 7.4 20-27 Dec 2026 Not out yet
Linux kernel 7.3 Oct 18, 2026 2.1 mo Supported Files
Linux kernel 7.2 Aug 16, 2026 2.1 mo Ended Nov 2026 Files
Linux kernel 7.1 Jun 14, 2026 2.1 mo Ended Sep 2026 Files
Linux kernel 7.0 Apr 12, 2026 2.1 mo Ended Jun 2026 Files
Linux kernel 6.19 Feb 8, 2026 2.3 mo Ended Apr 2026 Files
Linux kernel 6.18 LTS Nov 30, 2025 2.1 mo Until Dec 2028 Files
Linux kernel 6.17 Sep 28, 2025 2.1 mo Ended Dec 2025 Files
Linux kernel 6.16 Jul 27, 2025 2.1 mo Ended Oct 2025 Files
Linux kernel 6.15 May 25, 2025 2.0 mo Ended Aug 2025 Files
Linux kernel 6.14 Mar 24, 2025 2.1 mo Ended Jun 2025 Files

Support dates from endoflife.date; gaps are computed from release dates. Links go to the project's own servers: Download = download page, Files = file archive, Notes = release notes.

Questions

When is the Linux kernel 7.3 release date?

Linux kernel 7.3 was released on Oct 18, 2026.

Where can I download Linux kernel 7.3?

From Linux kernel's official site, kernel.org. We only link to official downloads and never host files ourselves.

What's new in Linux kernel 7.3?

Better VRAM sharing, sched_ext sub-schedulers, New sandboxing, Faster storage. The highlights on this page explain each one.

How often does Linux kernel release?

Every 9-10 weeks (about 5-6 per year). Over its recent releases the average gap was about 2.1 months.

Which Linux kernel version should I use?

Use the kernel your distribution ships. If you need long support, pick a longterm (LTS) kernel such as 6.18 instead of the newest one.

What is a kernel release candidate (rc)?

After a two-week merge window for new features, Linus Torvalds releases weekly test versions called rc1, rc2 and so on. The final kernel usually follows rc7, or rc8 if more fixes are needed.