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# OpenMandriva Lx 4.2 Introduces Desktop Presets, AArch64 Support, and More
- URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/openmandriva-lx-4-2/
- Published: 2021-02-16T10:07:43.000Z
- Updated: 2021-02-16T10:07:45.000Z
- Author: Sourav Rudra
- Tags: Distribution Releases, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15

[OpenMandriva Lx](https://www.openmandriva.org/?ref=itsfoss.com) is an interesting Linux-based distribution which is also inspired and forked from [Mandriva Linux](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandriva%5FLinux?ref=itsfoss.com), and offers a host of open-source software to complement the whole package.

The OpenMandriva Association and the community are behind the development and maintenance of OpenMandriva Lx. 

Recently, they have [announced](https://www.openmandriva.org/en/news/article/openmandriva-lx-4-2-is-out-now?ref=itsfoss.com) the availability of the latest stable release – **OpenMandriva Lx 4.2**. This release includes updated bundled applications, various improvements and quality of life changes.

![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2021/02/openmandriva1.png)

Let’s have a look at what is on offer with this new stable release.

## Latest KDE Packages

OpenMandriva Lx 4.2 is equipped with the latest KDE products that include:

- KDE Frameworks 5\. 78.0
- KDE Plasma 5.20.5
- KDE Applications 20.12.2

## Improved Welcome Screen

The welcome screen has been improved, and it now offers the user a list of popular applications that can be installed with a single click. 

![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2021/02/openmandriva2.png)

## Support For ARM64 (AArch64)

Support for [ARM](https://www.arm.com/?ref=itsfoss.com)‘s 64-bit extension “[AArch64](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AArch64?ref=itsfoss.com)” has been added to OpenMandriva Lx with the new release. This has enabled support for many single board computers (SBCs), energy-efficient desktops, laptops and surprisingly, a smartphone.

Initially, installable images for the PinebookPro, Raspberry Pi 4B and 3B+, Rock Pi 4A,4B and 4C, SynQuacer, CuBox Pulse and other generic UEFI-compatible devices are being offered. Support for more AArch64 hardware will be made available in the near future.

They also provide an installable image for the [recently updated](https://news.itsfoss.com/pinephone-mobian-edition/?ref=itsfoss.com) PinePhone. But, they have stated that it is not to be considered as a stable build.

## Desktop Presets

Users can now choose from six different desktop presets (including the vanilla OpenMandriva preset) for a tailored desktop experience.

![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2021/02/openmandriva3.png)

## Updated Applications

OpenMandriva 4.2 features an updated application stack which includes the following:

- LibreOffice 7.1.0
- Falkon 3.1
- Mozilla Firefox 85
- Chromium 88
- Krita 4.4.2
- GIMP 2.10.22
- Calligra Suite 3.2.1
- Digikam 7.2
- SMPlayer 21.1.0
- VLC 3.0.12
- Virtualbox 6.1.16
- OBS Studio 26.1.2

## Software Repository Selector

Users now have the ability to choose from thousands of free software packages and also install alternative desktop environments for testing purposes. 

Users can also switch from a Rock release to a Rolling release or vice versa by using this.

![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2021/02/openmandriva4.png)

## Core Improvements

OpenMandriva Lx 4.2 brings in important improvements to the core by offering Linux Kernel 5.10.14 (with the option to install 5.11-rc7), Systemd 247 and LLVM/Clang 11.0.1\. 

You can also find more under-the-hood changes like the addition of Java 15, GCC 10.2, Binutils 2.36.1, glibc 2.33 and Zstandard, a real-time compression algorithm that improves boot speed.

## Other Improvements

Other notable improvements include, updated display subsystems: Xorg 1.20.10, Wayland 1.20.10, Mesa 20.3 and the Calamares 3.2.35 installer.

Support for [RISC-V](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RISC-V?ref=itsfoss.com) processors is also in the works and will be included in a release, sometime in the future.

You can also check out the [official release notes](https://wiki.openmandriva.org/en/releases/omlx42/notes?ref=itsfoss.com) for more information.

## Download OpenMandriva Lx 4.2

You can get the latest ISO from their official SourceForge [project page](https://sourceforge.net/projects/openmandriva/files/release/?ref=itsfoss.com), they recommend backing up all data before updating to the newer release.

[OpenMandriva Lx 4.2](https://sourceforge.net/projects/openmandriva/files/release/?ref=itsfoss.com)

For more instructions you can follow their [quick-start guide](https://www.openmandriva.org/en/doc/openmandriva-lx/article/quick-start?ref=itsfoss.com).