Fedora Linux 44: Key Updates for Atomic Desktop Users

Fedora Linux 44 brings important changes for all Atomic Desktop variants—Silverblue, Kinoite, Sway Atomic, Budgie Atomic, and COSMIC Atomic. This Q&A breaks down what you need to know about the updated issue tracker, unified documentation, FUSE 2 removal, and more.

What changes have been made to the issue tracker for Fedora Atomic Desktops?

The cross-variants issue tracker has moved to the new Fedora forge. This is now the central place to report bugs or coordinate work that affects all Atomic Desktop variants. If your issue is specific to a single desktop environment—like Kinoite or Budgie Atomic—the team prefers you use the respective SIG tracker, which you can find listed in the README of the atomic-desktops organization. This move helps streamline feedback and ensures the right developers see each problem quickly.

Where can I find the new unified documentation for all Atomic Desktop variants?

The long-awaited unified documentation is now live and hosted on the new Fedora forge. It covers all Atomic Desktop variants in one place, making it easier to find setup guides, troubleshooting tips, and best practices. However, the translations have not yet been migrated. The team will need community help to re-translate everything once the translation system is ready on the new forge. The good news is that most content can be copied and pasted from the previous docs, and you will only need to translate once—not separately for each variant. Track progress in issue atomic-desktops#10.

Why is FUSE version 2 being removed from Fedora 44 Atomic Desktops?

FUSE 2 has been deprecated and unmaintained for some time. Removing it from the images reduces security risks and maintenance burden. This change affects two main areas: AppImages that rely on an old runtime dependent on FUSE 2, and Plasma Vault backends (EncFS and CryFS) that also depend on FUSE 2. The Fedora Change and tracking issue atomic-desktops#50 provide full details. Most modern applications use newer FUSE 3 libraries, so only legacy software may break.

Will my AppImages still work after the FUSE 2 removal?

Some AppImages built with an old runtime that depends on FUSE 2 may stop working. To check, you can examine the AppImage runtime version (see the Discussion thread for examples). If an AppImage fails, your best option is to look for a Flatpak version of the same application. Flatpaks are well-supported on Fedora Atomic Desktops and don't require FUSE 2. You can also report the issue upstream to encourage the developer to update their AppImage runtime. Consider helping the project package their app as a Flatpak if possible. This ensures a smoother experience for all Linux users.

How should I handle Plasma Vaults that rely on EncFS or CryFS backends?

KDE no longer recommends EncFS or CryFS for Plasma Vaults because they depend on the removed FUSE 2 libraries. If you are using one of these backends, migrate your data to a new vault using the only maintained backend, gocryptfs. Ideally, do this before upgrading to Fedora 44. If you've already upgraded and need access, you can temporarily layer the required packages (cryfs or fuse-encfs) using rpm-ostree install, migrate your data, then remove the layers with rpm-ostree reset. After migration, your vaults will work with FUSE 3.

What does the removal of pkla Polkit rules mean for my system?

Support for the legacy pkla format for Polkit authorization rules has been dropped in Fedora 44. This change is part of a broader effort to modernize system policy management. Most users will not notice any difference because modern applications use JavaScript-based rules instead of the old .pkla files. If you have custom pkla rules, you must convert them to the new format to continue working. The Fedora documentation provides guidance on migration. This removal does not affect everyday use for the majority of Atomic Desktop users.

What steps should I take before upgrading to Fedora Linux 44?

Before upgrading, check your system for potential issues. First, ensure your AppImages work: identify any that use the old runtime and replace them with Flatpaks if needed. Second, if you use Plasma Vaults with EncFS or CryFS, migrate to gocryptfs now. Third, review any custom Polkit rules you may have and convert them from pkla format. After you've addressed these items, you can safely upgrade via rpm-ostree rebase or the graphical updater. If something goes wrong, the Fedora Atomic Desktops community on the new forge is ready to help.