Linux 5.4 arrives with Lockdown and these other highlights

After eight Release Candidates, although the latter was not 100% necessary, Linus Torvalds launched Linux 5.4 yesterday. As we have explained during its development, it seems that this new version of the Linux kernel does not include as many new features as v5.2 and v5.3, but it does include improvements that could interest users who are experiencing hardware problems on their computer , as improvements in support for AMD Radeon Graphics.

The most outstanding novelty of those included in Linux 5.4 is what they have called Lockdown. A couple of months ago we explained that it is a new security module with which it is intended to prevent some malicious software from doing its job, but it also means that users will lose control over our equipment. In other words and the reason for the controversy is that we will be less "God", which is why the function has been launched disabled by default.

Linux 5.4 highlights

1. Lockdown security module.
2. Support for exFAT.
3. Performance improvements in AMD Radeon Graphics.
4. Support for the Qualcom Snapdragon 855 SoC.
5. Support for newer Intel GPUs and improved support for GPUs of the same brand in general.
6. Possibility to run the main kernels on ARM laptops.
7. Support for Intel Icelake Thunderbolt.
8. Support for the FS-IA6B drone receiver.
9. VirtIO-FS has been included to share files and folders between guest and host operating systems when using virtual machines.
10. Fixes for Windows games via Wine and Proton.
11. Improved support for FSCRYPT.
12. Various improvements and fixes for existing file systems, such as btrfs.

Now that Linux 5.4 is already available, we have several options: the one I always recommend is to forget that there is a new release and wait for our Linux distribution to update it. In the case of Ubuntu and its official flavors, this update will arrive in April, but will now use Linux 5.5. Those who are experiencing a problem that you think you can solve by installing a new version of the kernel, I think it is best to use a tool with GUI like Ukuu.