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# Sparky 2024.02 Update Fixes a Minor Yet Significant Issue
- URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/sparky-2024-02-release/
- Published: 2024-02-13T07:31:05.000Z
- Updated: 2024-02-13T07:31:05.000Z
- Description: SparkyLinux adds much-needed refinements.
- Author: Sourav Rudra
- Tags: Distribution Releases, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15

SparkyLinux is a [lightweight distro](https://itsfoss.com/lightweight-linux-beginners/) based on Debian that offers a high degree of customizability.

It offers a stable edition and a semi-rolling release. 

Almost a month after [SparkyLinux 2024.01 release](https://itsfoss.com/sparky-linux-2024-01-release/), we now have a new point release for the semi-rolling edition featuring some important tweaks and improvements.

So, let's check those out!

**Suggested Read** 📖

[16 Best Lightweight Linux Distributions for Older ComputersDon’t throw your old computer just yet. Use a lightweight Linux distro and revive that decades-old system.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/12/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSSAnkush Das![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2015/08/light-linux-distros.jpg)](https://itsfoss.com/lightweight-linux-beginners/)

## 🆕 SparkyLinux 2024.02: What's New?

![a screenshot of sparkylinux 2024.02 with neofetch output and about lxqt app open](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/02/SparkyLinux_2024.02.jpg)

Equipped with **Linux kernel 6.6.13**, this release features upgraded packages from the Debian and Sparky testing repositories until February 11, 2024\. There are also **a few other Linux kernel options** available from the Sparky repos; 6.7.4, 6.6.16-LTS, 6.1.77-LTS, 5.15.148-LTS.

The SparkyLinux 2024.02 release focuses on providing some much-needed improvements, over providing new features. We start off with **the CLI installer** that now sees support for [XFS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XFS?ref=itsfoss.com) and [Btrfs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Btrfs?ref=itsfoss.com) making a comeback.

Support for those file systems had to be dropped due to the GRUB bootloader not playing nice; that has now been fixed. Then there's the **ability to not set a root password**, when you choose that, the user password will be used instead.

[![Follow It's FOSS on Google News](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/04/Follow-us-on-Google-News.png)](https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMInpoAswofO4Aw?ref=itsfoss.com)

For **Sparky Backup**, [memtest86+](https://www.memtest.org/?ref=itsfoss.com) was added to the live EFI boot menu, **a new UEFI firmware configurator** for the live EFI GRUB menu. In addition, the **ability to create EFI-compatible ISOs** even if you don't have GRUB-EFI debs in your home/offline directory.

That sounds pretty exciting! 🤩

And, a couple more important bits:

- [PipeWire 1.0.3](https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/pipewire/pipewire/-/releases/1.0.3?ref=itsfoss.com) package handles the audio/video department
- Inclusion of [GRUB 2.12](https://www.gnu.org/software/grub/manual/grub/grub.html?ref=itsfoss.com)
- Fixes for Sparky Tray that have resulted in quick access to a few system tools

You can go through the official [release notes](https://sparkylinux.org/sparky-2024-02/?ref=itsfoss.com) to learn more about this release.

## 📥 Download SparkyLinux 2024.02

You can head over to the [official website](https://sparkylinux.org/download/rolling/?ref=news.itsfoss.com) to get the latest ISO. It houses various variants such as **LXQt**, **MATE**, **Xfce**, **KDE Plasma**, **MinimalGUI** and **MinimalCLI**.

[SparkyLinux (Rolling)](https://sparkylinux.org/download/rolling/?ref=news.itsfoss.com)

### ⚙️ Upgrade from Older Release

If you are already running an older release, then just run this command in the terminal to get the latest update:

```
 sudo apt-get update
 sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
```

For more info, you can refer to the [official wiki](https://wiki.sparkylinux.org/doku.php/upgrade?ref=news.itsfoss.com).

*💬 What do you think of this release? Let us know below!*