Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux, has confirmed that the next major release of the kernel will be version 7.0. The announcement, made on , continues a long-standing tradition of Torvalds choosing kernel version numbers that he can easily count on his fingers, and toes. This also suggests a pattern where kernel series tend to conclude after 19 releases.
The decision to move to version 7.0 comes as the 6.x series nears its end, with 6.19 being the final release in that cycle. Torvalds’ numbering scheme became more predictable with the 3.x series, which saw 19 kernel releases before the jump to 4.0. He’s demonstrated a playful side in the past, naming version 3.11 “Linux for Workgroups” as a nod to Microsoft’s Windows 3.11, and even considered dedicating version 4.0 to bug fixing.
However, Torvalds has consistently maintained that the specific version number is largely inconsequential. He’s often stated that an x.0 release doesn’t hold more significance than any other, and is often less important than which release receives long-term support from kernel maintainers. This perspective underscores the focus on continuous improvement and stability within the Linux kernel development process.
The move to 7.0 is driven, in part, by Torvalds’ self-described difficulty with larger numbers. “I’m getting to the point where I’m being confused by large numbers (almost running out of fingers and toes again),” he wrote in a mailing list announcement. This humorous rationale has become a recurring theme in kernel versioning.
The merge window for Linux 7.0 is set to open on , with the first Release Candidate (RC) expected on . The final release is currently projected for mid-April 2026, potentially on either or , depending on the number of RC milestones needed for thorough testing. Each week, a new RC will be available for public testing.
Beyond the version number itself, Linux 6.19, released alongside the 7.0 announcement, brings several notable improvements. According to Phoronix, a key addition is a Live Update Orchestrator, enabling kernel upgrades without interrupting running virtual machines. This feature is particularly valuable in server environments and cloud deployments where uptime is critical.
The 6.19 release also introduces encrypted communications between PCIe devices and virtual machines, enhancing security and data privacy. It includes optimizations for recent Intel and AMD silicon, as well as improved support for emerging processor architectures like RISC-V and those developed in China. Filesystem tweaks are also present, contributing to overall system performance and stability.
Networking performance also sees a boost in 6.19. The removal of a busy lock in certain data transfer scenarios can lead to queue clearing speeds up to four times faster than previously possible. This improvement is expected to benefit applications that rely on high-bandwidth network connectivity.
The Linux kernel remains a cornerstone of modern computing, powering everything from smartphones and embedded systems to servers and supercomputers. The continuous development and refinement of the kernel, as exemplified by the upcoming 7.0 release and the improvements in 6.19, are essential for maintaining its relevance and performance in an ever-evolving technological landscape.
The source code for the latest release is available for download here.
