Fedora 41 is now available, offering the latest GNOME 47 desktop and KDE Plasma 6.2 improvements. If you’re planning to upgrade from Fedora 40, follow the steps outlined below to ensure a smooth transition.
If you’re already running the Fedora 41 beta, simply use sudo dnf update && sudo dnf upgrade in the terminal. Avoid skipping versions (e.g., from 38 or 39 directly to 41). Instead, upgrade to 40 first, then to 41, or perform a clean install to avoid potential issues.
How to Upgrade to Fedora 41 Workstation
Command-Line method (CLI)
If you’re comfortable using the command line, this method offers a direct and efficient way to upgrade.
Step 1: Open the terminal and refresh the packages.
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Step 2: Install the dnf upgrade plugin. This is essential for the upgrade process.
sudo dnf install dnf-plugin-system-upgrade
Step 3: Update the system again to ensure all packages are up to date.
sudo dnf --refresh upgrade
Step 4: Initiate the download of Fedora 41 packages.
sudo dnf system-upgrade download --releasever=41
If you have concerns about manually installed packages and their compatibility with Fedora 41, add the --allowerasing flag to the command above. This allows dnf to remove any packages that might block the upgrade.
Step 5: After the download completes, reboot the system to begin the upgrade process.
sudo dnf system-upgrade reboot
The system will automatically reboot and complete the upgrade. This process may take some time.
Graphical Method (GUI)
The graphical method provides a user-friendly way to upgrade using the GNOME Software Center.
Step 1: Open GNOME Software and check for available updates.
If a prompt for Fedora 41 doesn’t appear immediately, wait a day or two. You can also check the Updates tab.
Step 2: Click the notification and select Download to begin the upgrade.
Step 3: Once the packages are downloaded, you’ll be prompted to restart the system. Click Restart.
Fedora will apply the upgrades during the reboot process.
Steps to Follow before upgrading to Fedora 41 (Workstation)
These preparatory steps will minimize potential issues during the upgrade process.
Step 1: Update your current system.
Open GNOME Software and check for pending updates or run the following command:
sudo dnf update
Step 2: Update Flatpak applications, if you use them.
sudo flatpak update
Step 3: Reboot your system after updating.
This ensures that all updates are correctly applied.
Step 4: Back up important files.
Copy documents, pictures, and videos from your home directory to a safe location like an external drive.
Step 5: Disable GNOME extensions.
Install the Extensions Flatpak application and disable all GNOME extensions. Not all extensions may be compatible with GNOME 47 immediately.
Step 6: Verify sufficient disk space.
Make sure you have at least 5 GB of free space in your Fedora partition.
Step 7: If you have an NVIDIA card, create a backup.
NVIDIA drivers sometimes cause issues during upgrades.
Step 8: If possible, log in to an X11 session before upgrading.
You can switch back to Wayland after the upgrade.
Step 9: Check for ongoing bugs.
Look at the official forum for any major bugs related to Fedora 41 that might affect the upgrade.
Step 10: Ensure you have sufficient time and a stable internet connection.
The upgrade process can take several hours.
With patience and these steps, you should have a successful upgrade to Fedora 41.