elementary OS 7.1 is a game-changing release

In a major announcement, elementary OS has unveiled version 7.1 of its operating system, marking a significant leap forward in terms of personalization, privacy protection, and overall user experience. This eagerly anticipated update has been carefully crafted to meet the diverse needs of users while prioritizing accessibility and security.

elementary OS 7.1 featured image

What’s new in elementary OS 7.1?

One of the standout features of elementary OS 7.1 is its commitment to user privacy. The Background & Autostart Portal, found in System Settings → Applications → Startup, now ensures that apps can’t start automatically without your explicit permission. This innovative approach enhances user control over their system.

Location Services:

Location services have also been upgraded to use Portals from the old Agents system, providing a more secure method for apps to request access to your location. This not only enhances security but also improves compatibility with cross-platform applications.

Location Services

AppCenter & Sideload:

AppCenter, the app store for elementary OS, has received significant attention. It now provides users with detailed information about an app’s permissions, ensuring you are informed about what each app can access. Sideload, a feature for installing apps outside of AppCenter, has been improved to allow users to validate their trust in sideloaded apps more easily.

App Center

Housekeeping & Temporary Accounts:

Housekeeping is a new feature designed to declutter your system by automatically deleting old files, including those in the Trash, Downloads, temporary files, and now Screenshots. Additionally, OS 7.1 clarifies how the Guest account functions, making it more user-friendly.

Inclusivity & Personalization:

Accessibility and personalization have been at the forefront of elementary OS’s design philosophy. This release introduces several display filters for users with color perception deficiencies and a grayscale filter to reduce distractions. Furthermore, enhancements in keyboard navigation and gestures improve the user experience for a wider range of people.

The Login & Lock Screen in OS 7.1 now mirrors user preferences, including keyboard and touchpad settings, accent color, and more. This update ensures a seamless transition between the login screen and the user’s personalized settings.

Addressing User Feedback:

Elementary OS prides itself on its open development process and actively listens to user feedback. Over 200 bug fixes and improvements have been made based on user reports, resulting in a smoother and more stable OS experience.

Hardware Support:

elementary OS 7.1 brings support for proprietary drivers, making it easier to install the OS on devices requiring specific drivers. The update also includes the latest Hardware Enablement stack from Ubuntu, ensuring compatibility with modern hardware.

Web, Mail, Files, Code, Music & Videos:

These core apps have received numerous updates and improvements, ranging from enhanced performance to more user-friendly interfaces.

Notifications & Panel:

The Notifications indicator has received a revamp, providing better control over missed notifications. The Network indicator now offers improved VPN support, and Bluetooth device listings have been refined for a smoother user experience.

Other Design Improvements:

The update introduces a host of design improvements across the system, optimizing user interfaces for various displays and improving responsiveness.

Get elementary OS 7.1:

Elementary OS 7.1 is available for download on the official website, and existing OS 7 users can upgrade seamlessly through AppCenter. Hardware retailers like Laptop with Linux and Star Labs now offer devices pre-loaded with elementary OS 7.1.

elementary OS official website