We’re pleased to announce the second release candidate for Qubes 4.0.1! Features:

• Fixes for bugs discovered in 4.0.1-rc1
• All 4.0 dom0 updates to date
• Fedora 29 TemplateVM
• Debian 9 TemplateVM
• Whonix 14 Gateway and Workstation TemplateVMs
• Linux kernel 4.14

Qubes 4.0.1-rc2 is available on the Downloads page.

What is a patch release?

A patch release does not designate a separate, new major or minor release of Qubes OS. Rather, it designates its respective major or minor release (in this case, 4.0) inclusive of all updates up to a certain point. Installing Qubes 4.0 and fully updating it results in the same system as installing Qubes 4.0.1.

What should I do?

If you’re currently using an up-to-date Qubes 4.0 installation, then your system is already equivalent to a Qubes 4.0.1 installation. No action is needed.

Regardless of your current OS, if you wish to install (or reinstall) Qubes 4.0 for any reason, then the 4.0.1 ISO will make this more convenient and secure, since it bundles all Qubes 4.0 updates to date. It will be especially helpful for users whose hardware is too new to be compatible with the original Qubes 4.0 installer.

Release planning

Since the most severe bugs related to Fedora 29 have been addressed, we expect that this will be the final release candidate for 4.0.1. As usual, you can help by reporting any bugs you encounter. If no major problems are discovered in this release candidate, 4.0.1 should follow in approximately three weeks.