How to Upgrade from Fedora 39 to Fedora 40:

If you want to upgrade from Fedora 39 to the all-new Fedora 40, you're in luck. As a long-time Fedora user, I’m here to guide you through the process. Upgrading your Linux operating system can seem stressful if you don't know the right steps, but with this article, it’s should make upgrading to the latest version a breeze.

Plus, I'll share some exciting new features in Fedora 40 that you'll love.

Why Upgrade to Fedora 40?

Upgrading to Fedora 40 not only keeps your system secure and running smoothly but it also introduces some fantastic new features. Fedora 40 brings enhancements like KDE Plasma 6, improved support for AI frameworks, and updated versions of popular programming languages and tools.

These updates ensure you have access to the latest technologies and performance improvements.

Step-by-Step Upgrade Process

Step 1: Backup Your Data

First things first, always back up your important data before starting an upgrade. Whether you use rsync, tar, or your favourite backup software, make sure your files are safe. Once you have backed up your data, open up your Terminal and proceed to step 2.

Step 2: Update Your Current System

Before jumping to Fedora 40, update your Fedora 39 system:

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh        

Step 3: Install the DNF Plugin System Upgrade

Next, install the DNF plugin that makes the upgrade process smoother:

sudo dnf install dnf-plugin-system-upgrade        

Step 4: Download Fedora 40 Packages

Start the upgrade process by downloading Fedora 40 packages:

sudo dnf system-upgrade download --releasever=40        

If you encounter dependency issues, resolve them with:

sudo dnf system-upgrade download --releasever=40 --allowerasing        

Step 5: Reboot and Upgrade

After downloading the packages, reboot to start the upgrade:

sudo dnf system-upgrade reboot        

Step 6: Post-Upgrade Tasks

Once your system reboots into Fedora 40, run these commands to clean up:

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh        

sudo dnf autoremove        

Step 7: Verify the Upgrade

Confirm the upgrade by checking the Fedora version:

cat /etc/fedora-release        

You should see something like "Fedora release 40 (Forty)".

Exciting New Features in Fedora 40

KDE Plasma 6: Fedora 40 introduces KDE Plasma 6, which brings partial HDR support, a floating panel, and a new Overview effect. It’s a significant upgrade from the previous version, providing a more polished and responsive desktop experience (Fedora Docs) (Fedora Docs).

389 Directory Server 3.0.0: This new release uses LMDB by default instead of BerkeleyDB, enhancing performance and reliability for system administrators (Fedora Docs).

PyTorch 2.1.2: Fedora 40 is the first release to provide PyTorch as a package, making it easier to install and manage this powerful machine learning framework (Fedora Docs).

PHP 8.3 and Golang 1.22: Developers will appreciate the upgrades to PHP 8.3 and Golang 1.22, which bring numerous performance improvements and new features (Fedora Docs).

Podman 5: The container engine has been upgraded with improved handling and deprecated older networking plugins, ensuring better performance and security (Fedora Docs).

Upgrading to Fedora 40 is a great way to keep your system up-to-date with the latest features and improvements. With these steps, you can easily make the transition. Enjoy exploring Fedora 40, and if you run into any issues, feel free to reach out to the Fedora community for help. Happy upgrading!

For more details on what's new in Fedora 40, check out the official release notes.