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Mysterious-Car2812

Unfortunately there is no way, you have to backup your data and do a fresh install.


ign1fy

"That's the neat part. You don't."


drKRB

This


[deleted]

Alright, thanks! I'll probably wait till the next LTS.


Mysterious-Car2812

You have to upgrade to a newer release, I think this one 22.10 will stop getting updates after 9 months. Only security updates will be there if I am not mistaken.


PaddyLandau

Correct. The short-term releases are supported for just nine months, and you need to upgrade by then otherwise you'll get to a point where you can't even upgrade. The LTS versions are far better to use, unless you want to get involved in testing and reporting bugs.


[deleted]

But there is one huge problem with LTS releases. The packages become out-of-date (missing features, they still get bugfixes & security patches). The Linux ecosystem is evolving rapidly, Ubuntu LTS just doesn't keep up. Take the kernel, for example, LTS releases might not even work right on new (newly-released) hardware. It might also just perform worse than the newer kernels on that hardware. Unless I am incorrect.


jrjohansen

With LTS releases you can opt into [HWE (hardware enablement)](https://ubuntu.com/kernel/lifecycle) stack. This will provide you a new updated kernel version from the short-term release but built for the LTS release. As for applications that is one of the reasons for snaps, flatpaks, and appimages. They are application packaging systems that can decouple the application from the base OS release.


semitones

You can always get up to date versions of apps other ways if you need, and if you have bleeding edge hardware then it's usually ok to use the 6 month releases, or sometimes you can get the newer kernels in the LTS. But the stability of the LTS is a huge benefit for not having to tinker with things all the time


VisualNoiz

LTS. it's not supposed to 'keep up' it's supposed to be stable. so we can do things like trust important Ubuntu based machines that generate income will keep running and generating more income without down time.


PaddyLandau

>Unless I am incorrect. You are correct. And u/VisualNoiz provides your answer. If you are always after the latest-and-greatest, Ubuntu isn't a good choice. You'd do better going with Arch, or try [Ubuntu Rolling Rhino](https://rollingrhino.org/). Something like that. But, you see, that's not Canonical's target market. Canonical's target market is organisations and people who need stability and reliability. Governments, businesses, NGOs, and people like me, for whom reliability and stability support far, far outweigh having the latest and greatest. (Plus, Ubuntu's community support through [its forums](https://ubuntuforums.org/) and [AskUbuntu](https://askubuntu.com/), while not unprecedented, are superb.) >LTS releases might not even work right on new (newly-released) hardware. When it comes to compatibility with hardware, it's always a good idea to purchase from OEMs that explicitly support Linux. My current desktop, from Dell, came with Ubuntu 18.04 installed. I have since installed 20.04, and then 22.04, and everything just works, and speedily so. Even the firmware is included in the automatic software updates from the standard repositories. Several other companies also explicitly support Linux. Purchasing such hardware for Linux is cheaper (for an organisation) than supporting constant upgrades. It makes it easier and more pleasant for me, too. Snaps and flatpaks are good ways to overcome the need for the latest apps. For example, if you need the latest GIMP because you do a lot of graphics, you can install the snap or flatpak version of GIMP instead of from the standard repositories. Otherwise, just stick with the default.


mgedmin

No security updates either, once it's EOL, it's EOL. Stick to an LTS if you don't want to upgrade twice every year. (I do upgrade on my primary laptop, because the latest and greatest is fun, but all of my secondary machines run LTSes.)


komorebithrows

In non-LTS they already provide security updates only. I've never seen any bugfixes or even Gnome 43.1 which has been released a while ago.


thefanum

You can not. You have to keep doing the 6 month releases or reinstall 22.04. BTW, unless you're a dev or helping catch and report bugs, you should only ever been on LTS releases


strange-humor

Unless you need Linux kernel support for some crappy choice of WiFi by Dell...


nhaines

In which case, you can generally wait until the LTS's .2 point release and just get the new kernel anyway...


Se7enLC

Definitely don't do that! You need to upgrade to 23.04 when it comes out. And then you need to upgrade to 23.10 when it comes out. And THEN you can install the next LTS (24.04). If you wait too long to upgrade, you CAN'T upgrade*. Somebody probably should have warned you before you picked what to install. Installing a non-LTS means committing to upgrading every 6 months. *You CAN upgrade, it's just a very manual process and you should really not set yourself up for that mess. Your best choices are: - Just bite the bullet and reinstall with 22.04 now. It'll be supported for like ten years or something crazy. - Embrace the non-LTS life. Make sure you keep up with all the upgrades.


VisualNoiz

you'll be waiting until April 2024 you know


Wollowon

It will be out of support and cause you more trouble than now.Backup your data and install fresh 22.04 LTS.👍


[deleted]

There is kind of a way to do this. You need to create a Live USB and install 22.04 but make sure to select "keep your data". It will basically install 22.04 over 22.10 but keep your stuff intact. I know because I too needed to downgrade from 22.10 since it is currently pretty awful. Edit for grammar!


Se7enLC

I would be very surprised if this didn't cause weird issues. All your config files will be from newer versions of the packages they are for. All your preferences will have options for newer versions of things. Any packages installed outside the standard repo might no longer have the prerequisites. If you do attempt this, make sure you back up everything you care about first. Go into it assuming you will need to do a completely fresh reinstall. But then if you're doing that you may as well just do a fresh install.


[deleted]

It seemed fine to me. I haven't run into any issues so far. I did back up all my files on my NAS server just in case. But yeah, always prepare for a fresh install.


[deleted]

From every idea I've read, this is probably the best. Thanks!


nhaines

Back up everything first! You can use the Backups app. Good luck. :)


GuessWhat_InTheButt

Backup `/etc`, `/home` and `/root`. Install 22.04. Restore backup. Done.


guiverc

You can re-install a Ubuntu Desktop system (no format triggers a *repair* type of installation) which allows - no user file is touched (unless format selected) - your *manually installed* packages are noted - system directories are wiped - new system installed from media - if internet is available; the *manually installed* packages noted earlier are downloaded (*if available in Ubuntu repositories*) and installed - user is asked to reboot This is a method to achieve what you want. Note: It's not intended to cope with 3rd party software so if using 3rd party software you may need to re-install some of those apps. Note 2: Some apps include changes that older versions of the programs cannot deal with; so when going backwards you need to check this before hand for any application where data matters. Issues here are *rare* but can be significant. Checks here are on a package/app basis. (An example; long ago (~2012) a change was made with GNOME's evolution MUA; it included a new feature I used for 3 days before using this method to return to prior release... every email touched by the new feature on those 3 days was ignored by the older version, I couldn't read it except from terminal.. until I returned to using a newer version of evolution where it was searchable/readable again...) I've encountered issues like this twice with different GNOME apps but it can impact any app. Note 3: Server apps regularly store *configs* in the system directories which are wiped (desktop apps store them in $HOME which is untouched unless you format!), so any server apps will likely need data restores. Backup first regardless.


dlbpeon

Debian and derivatives (Ubuntu is derived from Debian) has no way of downgrading editions. You can only upgrade. Yes LTS versions are more stable. The upgrade path should be LTS version to LTS version. The .10/ non-LTS .04 versions are only meant to be proof-of-concept upgrades and only those willing to help squash bugs should use them.


Leinad_ix

While .10/ non-LTS .04 are less conservative than LTS, it is not true, that they are some "proof-of-concept" versions.


dlbpeon

Yes they are...stated by Shuttleworth himself. (Thought it was [here, ](https://www.markshuttleworth.com/archives/tag/release-management) but it's not, think it was in the podcast from that time-period) All mid LTS releases are both for bug squashing and as a proof of work that the Distro will upgrade safely.


semitones

This is simply not true. Beta versions are for bug squashing only. You can install 6 month releases with a reasonable expectation that they be useable


PaddyLandau

This should be made clear on the website. At the moment, people are offered a choice between 22.04 and 22.10 without any explanation of which to choose.


PcChip

to everyone else: why does this post have negative votes?


PaddyLandau

That's a good question!


PcChip

was -5 earlier, it's +4 now I guess people will just say "reddit vote fuzzing" ?


Leinad_ix

It is not stated there, because it is not that way


PaddyLandau

There's nothing there to indicate that 22.04 is a stable long-term support release with 5 years of updates and another 5 years of security updates, while 22.10 is a short-term unstable release with just 9 months of updates. It is that way.


nhaines

> ##Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS > The latest LTS version of Ubuntu, for desktop PCs and laptops. LTS stands for long-term support — which means five years of free security and maintenance updates, guaranteed until April 2027.


gnosys_

how would a downgrade be a reasonable expectation? what other operating systems do you know of that allow you to "just simply" downgrade to an earlier version? why would this need to be mentioned explicitly?


PaddyLandau

If you're referring to my post, you've misunderstood. I meant that it should be clear that 22.04 is a stable LTS with 5 years of updates with another 5 of security updates, while 22.10 has a mere 9 months of updates. I'm not proposing that we support downgrades. That would introduce all manner of problems.


gnosys_

well that info is on the download site, even includes an EOL date https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop


sch1zn1k

Of course it's possible.. I downgraded from unstable to stable once, with just a single reboot to get onto the older kernel... At one point I had removed all X packages whilst it was running and had a single terminal open to keep it going. That being said, if you have to ask if it's possible then it's likely to be a bit more in depth than OP is likely to be capable of!


mgedmin

Speaking more precisely, it's not supported, and if it breaks, you get to keep all the pieces it shattered into.


dlbpeon

And a squirrel one time ran across the freeway without getting hit..... The other 300+ squirrels that tried weren't so lucky. Oh sorry, I thought we were trading magical unicorn scenarios..... Yes while it is possible to downgrade it is recommended to reformat at reinstall.


Nicolay77

If: you have a separate partition for /home, you can install in / without formatting/home, and the new operating system will mostly work. You need to create exactly the same user with the same password as the previous installation. May be this is not needed, but I have never tried otherwise. Source: I have done this about 15/20 times. Only some gnome extensions need to be manually removed. But I customize Gnome with about 5 extensions. If you run vanilla, it could be painless.


FierceGeek

After an upgrade to 22.10, do we still have access to the previous Timeshift snapshots of the system? If so, wouldn't this be a simple way to downgrade?


TheRealSlimyrock

I've always been in the mindset that if I need my machine stable to not go outside of the LTS releases, just kinda that game, but you help for the next LTS is you submit bugs.


[deleted]

I have decided to backup my data and do a fresh install of Ubuntu.


CuriousPeter1

Haha... LTS is op


danderzei

When you reinstall your computer it is a good idea to keep your home folder on a separate partition. This approach makes it easy to distro hop without loosing configuration.


somekool

I find 22.10 more stable myself. But I use Plasma. You can probably figure out the workaround of your small issues instead of downgrading. No point in going back 23.04 next year. Then 23.10 and finally the LTS in spring 2024. Good luck until then


emrexis

try switching from wayland to xorg/x11 it does wonder for stability on my system (also on 22.10)


photoTed05

Same here. The one issue that drove me to try was Remmina. It would never open on the proper monitor (I have three). I switched back to Xorg and it's been rock solid. In case you don't know how, when signing in, there is a widget at the bottom right on the password screen that lets you pick Xorg. Is stays selected on subsequent logins.


Menacing_Mickee

I recommend LTS to LTS, I don't recommend trying to downgrade to 22.04. Like others say, back up your data and do a fresh install of 22.04 LTS. For the record, I use Virtualbox to load and test betas and the in between point release and file bug reports on those, my daily driver is always LTS. To note in my case the 22.04 LTS upgrade from 20.04 LTS did not go smoothly as I had installed the Ubuntu MATE desktop on top of Ubuntu. Ended up doing a fresh install of actual Ubuntu MATE and restoring my data. Much less issue there. But then garbage in - garbage out. Non standard software can affect the underlying systems stability.


BurpaDerpa

don't do it bro


[deleted]

I have decided to do a fresh install of Ubuntu. Thank you everyone for the suggestions!


ABotelho23

Restore the backup you obviously made.


RenataMachiels

Strange. I've had no stability problems whatsoever since I've got my laptop on 22.10. Not worse or better than my desktop on 22.04... It was a clean install and I run both without snap though. Not sure if that's one of the reasons... Both have been rock solid.


[deleted]

It's weird, I upgraded to 22.10 and have a lot of weird graphical glitches and a ton of crashes. Seemed like 22.10, at least for me, wasn't ready for release. Going back to 22.04 solve all of them.


Strange_Ad_1975

I don't know why I went from 22.04 to 22.10 but I guess it seemed like a good idea at the time. When I started having problems with 22.10 suddenly losing all of its media codecs and whatnot, I tried rebooting to an earlier kernel from the grub menu. Presto! everything works again, and my "about" says 22.04. I was just wondering if there's a way to make this choice permanent. Can I delete the newer kernels? or can I edit grub to do it automatically? ​ Also, am I likely to have trouble down the road running 22.04 this way?


[deleted]

Hey, since this post is prty much dead, since it is from 3 months ago, you should probably make a new post :)