Fedora 41 is now officially available for download, presenting the newest GNOME 47 desktop for workstation users, along with enhancements to KDE Plasma 6.2. If you’re planning to upgrade from Fedora 40, here are the recommended steps to ensure a smooth transition.
Note: If you’re already running the Fedora 41 beta version, you don’t need to follow these steps. Simply use
sudo dnf update && sudo dnf upgradein the terminal to get the final version.Also, if you’re using an older Fedora version like 38 or 39, avoid skipping versions. Upgrade to 40 first, and then to 41, or perform a clean installation to avoid potential issues. Skipping versions can sometimes lead to app and extension compatibility problems.
How to Upgrade to Fedora 41 Workstation
Command-Line method (CLI)
If you’re comfortable with the command line, using the dnf upgrade command is an effective way to upgrade.
Step 1: Open the terminal.
Step 2: Refresh the package list.
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
This command ensures you have the latest package information for the upgrade.
Step 3: Install the dnf system-upgrade plugin. This plugin is essential for the upgrade process.
sudo dnf install dnf-plugin-system-upgrade
Step 4: Update your system. Redo this step, even if you ran it in the pre-upgrade checks.
sudo dnf --refresh upgrade
Step 5: Initiate the download of Fedora 41 packages. This command fetches all necessary packages and saves them locally.
sudo dnf system-upgrade download --releasever=41
If you’ve manually installed many applications and are unsure about their compatibility with Fedora 41, use the --allowerasing flag. This allows dnf to remove packages that might block the upgrade.
The command output displays a list of packages to be replaced, updated, upgraded, or downgraded. Review this list carefully.
Keep in mind that the download size can be significant (in GB), so the process might take a while depending on your internet speed.
Step 6: Start the upgrade process.
sudo dnf system-upgrade reboot
The system will automatically reboot and begin the upgrade process. This might take a few hours, depending on your system’s hardware.
Step 7: Wait patiently. The system will automatically reboot into Fedora 41.
Graphical Method (GUI)
After the official release of Fedora 41, a prompt should appear in GNOME Software indicating that an upgrade is available. If you don’t see it immediately, wait a day or two, or use the CLI method.
You can also check for the upgrade under the Updates tab in GNOME Software.
Step 1: Click on the notification to begin.
Step 2: Select Download to download the required packages.
Step 3: After the download completes, you’ll be prompted to restart your system.
Step 4: Click Restart to continue the upgrade process. Fedora will apply the updates during the reboot.
Steps to Follow before upgrading to Fedora 41 (Workstation)
It’s always a good idea to do some housekeeping before a major upgrade.
Step 1: Update your system. Open GNOME Software and check for any pending updates. Alternatively, use the terminal.
sudo dnf update
Step 2: Update Flatpak applications, if you use them.
sudo flatpak update
Step 3: Reboot your system. This ensures that all updates are applied correctly.
Step 4: Back up your important data. Copy your important documents, pictures, and videos to a safe location, such as a separate partition or USB drive.
Step 5: Disable GNOME Extensions. Install the Extensions Flatpak application and disable all GNOME Extensions, as not all extensions may be compatible with GNOME 47 yet. You can re-enable them after the upgrade.
Step 6: Check Disk Space. Ensure you have at least 5 GB of free space in your primary Fedora partition.
Step 7: NVIDIA Users. If you have NVIDIA cards, back up your current configuration, as NVIDIA drivers can sometimes cause issues after a Fedora upgrade.
Step 8: Log in to X11 (if possible). Reboot and log in to the X11 session before starting the upgrade. You can switch back to Wayland after the upgrade is complete.
Step 9: Check for Bugs. Check the official forum for any ongoing major bugs in Fedora 41 that may impact the upgrade process.
Step 10: Ensure you have sufficient time. The upgrade process can take several hours, so make sure you have enough time and a stable internet connection.
With these steps, you should have a successful upgrade to Fedora 41. Enjoy the new features!