> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://itsfoss.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Upgrade Alert! Solus Linux 4.5 Adds New Calamares Installer and XFCE Flavor - URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/solus-4-5-release/ - Published: 2024-01-09T10:30:24.000Z - Updated: 2024-01-09T10:39:32.000Z - Description: Solus 4.5 update arrives with popular calamares installer and a new variant. - Author: Sourav Rudra - Tags: Distribution Releases, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15 After a rocky 2023, Solus, one of the [best independent Linux distro](https://itsfoss.com/independent-linux-distros/?ref=news.itsfoss.com) around, has **introduced Solus 4.5 as its first release of 2024**. This release comes after some time since the release of [Solus 4.4](https://itsfoss.com/solus-4-4-released/) which showed up halfway into 2023. Code-named “*Resilience*”, this release aims to offer many improvements and fixes across the board, while also providing **a new ISO in the form of a XFCE-equipped offering**. Let's dive in and see what's on offer. ## 🆕 Solus 4.5: What's New? ![a screenshot of solus 4.5](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/01/Solus_4.5_a.jpg) Solus 4.5 is powered by **a customized Linux kernel 6.6.9** that brings in better hardware support, no compression of kernel modules during initramfs creation, use of the [BORE scheduler](https://github.com/firelzrd/bore-scheduler?ref=itsfoss.com) by default and enabling of all sound codecs/drivers. Don't worry, **for those who prefer an older kernel**, there is also the option of opting for **Linux kernel 5.15.145**. Some **key highlights** of this release include: - **Calamares Installer** - **Updated Application Suite** - **Desktop Environment Upgrades** ### Calamares Installer ![a screenshot of solus 4.5 installer](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/01/Solus_4.5_b.jpg) Solus finally has a new installer in the form of the popular [Calamares](https://calamares.io/?ref=itsfoss.com) installer, making the installation process straightforward, it is now easier to create partition layouts, and use different file systems such as [Btrfs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Btrfs?ref=itsfoss.com). ### Updated Application Suite For starters, Solus 4.5 features [Mesa 23.3.2](https://docs.mesa3d.org/relnotes/23.3.2.html?ref=itsfoss.com) that has some neat improvements such as a **gallium VAAPI driver**, **IO support for built-in OpenGL overlay** and **ray-tracing support for Intel XE GPUs**. Then there's the implementation of AMD's [ROCm](https://www.amd.com/en/products/software/rocm.html?ref=itsfoss.com) tech that **enables users with AMD hardware to take advantage of GPU acceleration** in different kinds of workloads, while also allowing for **hardware accelerated machine learning**. On the audio/video handling front, **PipeWire replaces PulseAudio and JACK** for a more reliable and better experience overall. The **default applications also see an update** with apps such as [Firefox 121](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/121.0/releasenotes/?ref=itsfoss.com), [LibreOffice 7.6.4.1](https://www.libreoffice.org/download/release-notes/?ref=itsfoss.com), and [Thunderbird 115.6.0](https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/115.6.0/releasenotes/?ref=itsfoss.com) being featured on all editions of Solus 4.5. ### Desktop Environment Upgrades However, the most important fixes and improvements are on the desktop environment side of things. Solus is offered in four distinct flavors, so let's take a look at those: **GNOME** ![a screenshot of solus 4.5 running gnome 45.2](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/01/Solus_4.5_c.jpg) Solus 4.5 GNOME Edition is being offered with [GNOME 45.2](https://discourse.gnome.org/t/gnome-45-2-released/18358?ref=itsfoss.com) with a few tweaks; the default GTK theme now uses *adw-gtk3-dark* for providing a more uniform look when running GTK3/4 apps based on libadwaita. The file chooser now has a grid view, allowing users to pick files by looking at the thumbnails, even the mouse and touchpad settings are now more accessible. **Plasma** ![a screenshot of solus 4.5 running plasma 5.27.10](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/01/Solus_4.5_d.jpg) The Plasma Edition also follows suit with it featuring [Plasma 5.27.10](https://kde.org/announcements/plasma/5/5.27.10/?ref=itsfoss.com), and all the latest KDE goodies such as KDE Gear, KDE Frameworks, KDE branch for QT, etc. The developers are also slowly transitioning to support the [upcoming Plasma 6](https://itsfoss.com/kde-plasma-6-dev/) release, and **the default behavior to open stuff like apps/folders is now double-click**. **Budgie** ![a screenshot of solus 4.5 running budgie 10.8.2](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/01/Solus_4.5_e.jpg) For the flagship version, Solus 4.5 comes with [Budgie 10.8.2](https://buddiesofbudgie.org/blog/budgie-10-8-2-released?ref=itsfoss.com) featuring the *Budgie Trash Applet*, that paves the way for easy trashcan browsing, restoring and clearing. Moreover, the “*Dark Theme*” toggle in the settings menu now sets the dark theme for all applications in the system that support it; except the ones that override this with other color schemes. **XFCE (Beta)** ![a screenshot of solus 4.5 running xfce 4.18](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/01/Solus_4.5_f.jpg) Introduced as a beta, **the XFCE Edition of Solus is intended to replace the MATE edition**, which was popular for its lightweight desktop experience. With this release, the developers have said users expect some “*rough edges*” as it will take some time to improve. Solus 4.5 features [XFCE 4.18](https://itsfoss.com/xfce-4-18-release/) with **a solid suite of applications** that include the following: - **Thunar 4.18.6** - **Parole 4.18.0** - **Ristretto 0.13.1** - **Mousepad 0.6.1** - **Whiskermenu 2.8.0** Even though the devs are working towards providing a straightforward way for existing MATE Edition users to switch to Budgie or XFCE, existing users will still be supported until they are sure with their solution. ## 📥 Download Solus 4.5 You can grab the latest release of Solus in the four different variants from the [official website](https://getsol.us/download/?ref=news.itsfoss.com). [Solus 4.5](https://getsol.us/download/?ref=news.itsfoss.com) **For existing users**, they can either upgrade to the latest release from the Software Center, or run the following command to get the upgrade: ``` sudo eopkg upgrade ``` You can also refer to the [official documentation](https://help.getsol.us/docs/user/package-management/basics/?ref=itsfoss.com) and [release notes](https://getsol.us/2024/01/08/solus-4-5-released/?ref=itsfoss.com) for more information. *💬 Any thoughts on this release? Let us know below!*