Update (2020-01-15): The kernel bug has now been fixed, and the new ISO has been released as Qubes 4.0.3-rc1. Please see that announcement for further details.

Update (2020-01-08): Shortly after this announcement was originally published, a bug was discovered in the dom0 kernel included in Qubes 4.0.2. Since this bug would present installation problems for the majority of users, we have temporarily removed it from the Downloads page and reinstated the latest release candidate (Qubes 4.0.2-rc3) in its place.

We’re pleased to announce the release of Qubes 4.0.2! This is the second stable patch release of Qubes 4.0. It includes many updates over the initial 4.0 release, in particular:

  • All 4.0 dom0 updates to date
  • Fedora 30 TemplateVM
  • Debian 10 TemplateVM
  • Whonix 15 Gateway and Workstation TemplateVMs
  • Linux kernel 4.19 by default

Qubes 4.0.2 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 4.0.2.

What should I do?

If you installed Qubes 4.0 or 4.0.1 and have fully updated, then your system is already equivalent to a Qubes 4.0.2 installation. No further action is required.

Similarly, if you’re currently using a Qubes 4.0.2 release candidate (4.0.2-rc1, 4.0.2-rc2, or 4.0.2-rc3), and your system is fully updated, then your system is equivalent to a 4.0.2 stable installation, and no additional action is needed.

Regardless of your current OS, if you wish to install (or reinstall) Qubes 4.0 for any reason, then the 4.0.2 ISO makes this more convenient and secure, since it bundles all Qubes 4.0 updates to date.

Note: At 4.5 GiB, the Qubes 4.0.2 ISO will not fit on a single-layer DVD (for the technical details underlying this, please see issue #5367). Instead, we recommend copying the ISO onto a sufficiently large USB drive. However, if you would prefer to use optical media, we suggest selecting a dual-layer DVD or Blu-ray disc.

Thank you to all the release candidate users for testing this release and reporting issues!