Your Complete Guide to Upgrading or Installing Fedora Linux 44

Introduction

Fedora Linux 44 has arrived, bringing exciting updates like GNOME 50, KDE Plasma 6.6, improved Anaconda installer, and many under-the-hood refinements. Whether you are upgrading an existing system or performing a fresh installation, this step-by-step guide will help you get started smoothly. Follow the steps carefully to ensure a successful transition to Fedora 44.

What You Need

For Upgrading an Existing Fedora System

• A working Fedora 43 or earlier installation
• Stable internet connection
• At least 15 GB of free disk space
• Backup of important files (recommended)
• Sufficient time (allow 30-60 minutes)

For a Fresh Installation

• Fedora 44 ISO file (download from getfedora.org)
• A USB flash drive (8 GB minimum) or blank DVD
• Software to create bootable media (e.g., Fedora Media Writer, Rufus, or dd command)
• Backup of any data on the target computer
• Basic understanding of BIOS/UEFI boot settings

Step-by-Step How-To Guide

Step 1: Prepare Your System

Before making any changes, ensure your system meets the hardware requirements (2 GHz dual-core processor, 2 GB RAM for desktop, 20 GB disk). Back up your important files to an external drive or cloud service. For upgrading, update your current Fedora release to the latest packages:

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

For a fresh install, download the Fedora 44 ISO and verify its checksum (SHA256). Create a bootable USB drive using Fedora Media Writer or another tool.

Step 2: Choose Your Upgrade Path

Decide whether to upgrade in-place or perform a fresh install. Upgrading is convenient and preserves your files and settings. Fresh install is recommended if you want a clean start or are switching from another distribution.

Step 3: Upgrade In-Place (Existing System)

Fedora provides a straightforward upgrade mechanism via DNF. Install the dnf-plugin-system-upgrade package if not already present:

sudo dnf install dnf-plugin-system-upgrade

Download the Fedora 44 packages:

sudo dnf system-upgrade download --releasever=44

Wait for the download to complete. If any dependency issues arise, use the --allowerasing flag cautiously. Once ready, trigger the upgrade reboot:

sudo dnf system-upgrade reboot

The system will reboot and perform the upgrade. Do not interrupt the process; it may take 10–20 minutes. After reboot, you will land on the Fedora 44 desktop.

Step 4: Perform a Fresh Installation

Boot from the bootable USB or DVD. In the GRUB menu, select Start Fedora 44. Choose your language and keyboard layout, then click Installation Destination. For most users, selecting the automatic partition scheme is fine. If you need custom partitioning (e.g., dual boot), allocate space manually. Proceed with the installation, which takes about 10–15 minutes. Set a strong user password and, optionally, encrypt your hard drive. After completion, reboot and remove the installation media.

Step 5: Post-Installation Setup and Tweaks

Once you boot into Fedora 44, run a system update to get the latest fixes:

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Install your favorite applications using the Software Center or DNF. Explore the new features:

• GNOME 50 (Workstation edition) introduces better color management, refined accessibility, and updated apps like Calendar and Documents.
• KDE Plasma 6.6 (KDE Spin) features a new Plasma Login Manager and simplified setup wizard.
• Anaconda installer now only creates network profiles for devices configured during installation, simplifying post-install networking.

For a deeper dive, consult the Tips section below.

Tips for a Smooth Experience

• Check the Release Notes: Fedora 44 includes numerous changes. Read the full release notes to understand what’s new and what might affect your workflow.
• Join the Community: Participate in Fedora forums or IRC channels if you encounter issues. The release party recording is available online for insights into contributors’ work.
• Test Your Hardware: After install, verify that all devices (Wi-Fi, graphics, printers) work correctly. Use the Settings app or terminal commands like lspci.
• Customize Performance: Consider installing dnf-plugin-system-upgrade for future upgrades and enable automatic updates for security.
• Experiment with Spins: Fedora offers Atomic Desktops (Silverblue, Kinoite) and other desktop environments (Xfce, Cinnamon). You can install multiple editions side by side using virtual machines.
• Keep Backup Habits: Always back up your data before major upgrades. The in-place upgrade is reliable, but unexpected power loss can cause issues.

With these steps and tips, you are ready to enjoy Fedora Linux 44. Happy computing!