# SparkyLinux 2026.06 "Tiamat": rolling release with optional Linux 7.1 kernel

- **Published on:** 2026-06-19
- **Category:** News
- **Original page:** https://linuxgratis.com/en/articles/sparkylinux-2026-06-rolling-kernel-linux-7-1

SparkyLinux 2026.06 arrives based on Debian Testing "Forky", with the Linux 7.0 kernel by default, support for Linux 7.1, and Calamares 3.4.2.

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The SparkyLinux team has released **SparkyLinux 2026.06**, the June ISO snapshot of the Rolling edition (codename "Tiamat"). This is the project's semi-rolling line, which pulls its packages from the **Debian Testing** repositories, now tracking the upcoming [Debian 14 "Forky"](/en/debian-13).

SparkyLinux is a lightweight Debian-based distribution aimed at both modest machines and anyone who wants a fresh base without waiting for a stable Debian release. The Rolling branch keeps packages current; the monthly images mainly serve new installs, since existing users only need to keep their system updated.

Here is what's new in **SparkyLinux 2026.06**:

- **Linux kernel 7.0.12 by default.** For those who want to go a step further, the Sparky repositories include the recent **Linux 7.1.0**. If you prefer long-term support instead, the **6.18.35** and **6.12.93** LTS kernels are also available.
- **Firefox 140.11.0 ESR** as the default browser, with **Firefox 152.0.1** sitting in the repositories for anyone who wants the latest branch.
- **Thunderbird 140.11.0 ESR** for email.
- **Calamares 3.4.2** as the graphical installer. This version adds support for the Plasma Login Manager on the KDE Plasma edition and lets you set a single-character account password during installation.
- All packages were updated from the Debian Testing and Sparky Testing repositories as of **June 17th, 2026**.

One cleanup worth noting: this release removes the **Lumina** desktop from the repository, along with Sparky APTus and the command-line installer for that environment. The developers gave no reason, though Lumina has been inactive for a while.

SparkyLinux 2026.06 ships for 64-bit systems in six standalone flavors: **KDE Plasma, Xfce, LXQt, MATE, MinimalGUI (Openbox), and MinimalCLI** (text mode). On the Live images, the user logs in with the password `live` and the root account has a blank password.

A couple of practical notes from the team: installing Sparky on UEFI machines requires an active internet connection, and they recommend Calamares for those setups. On older BIOS machines you can still install from the command-line installer with `sudo sparky-installer`.

If you already run the Rolling branch, there's no need to reinstall anything: just update and you're done. The new images are in the Rolling download section of the official site.

## Source

- [SparkyLinux 2026.06 Rolling Brings Linux Kernel 7.1 Support — 9to5Linux](https://9to5linux.com/debian-based-sparkylinux-2026-06-rolling-brings-linux-kernel-7-1-support)
- [Sparky 2026.06 — official SparkyLinux announcement](https://sparkylinux.org/sparky-2026-06/)