- Ubuntu 25.10 will remove GNU coreutils and adopt tools developed in Rust.
- The change seeks to improve security and efficiency by eliminating vulnerabilities in the C language.
- Canonical introduces Oxidizer, a bridge for smooth transitions without impacting system stability.
- The community is divided over the impact on free software philosophy and the abandonment of the GPL.
The Linux ecosystem is at a turning point. Ubuntu, one of the most recognized and widely used open-source distributions in the world, has announced a significant change that will mark a turning point in its development. Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, has decided to phase out the GNU components that have been fundamental to the system for decades.
Starting with Ubuntu version 25.10 , a technical restructuring will be implemented, replacing the traditional GNU coreutils tools with versions developed in Rust . This move reflects the company's intention to improve system security and performance, leaving behind the vulnerabilities inherent in the C language, on which GNU coreutils were based. For more information on other distributions, you can see our list of the best Linux distributions.
Reasons behind abandoning GNU in Ubuntu
This transition is not only due to technical reasons, but also to a series of ideological and structural changes in the approach to free software. For years, GNU's core tools have been a solid foundation for the Linux ecosystem, but their age and the fact that they are written in C have made them prone to errors, such as buffer overflows and memory access failures.
Rust, on the other hand, has been designed to avoid these kinds of problems, as its memory management system prevents a wide range of vulnerabilities . Furthermore, this language facilitates more secure programming in multiprocessor environments, which is crucial for maximizing performance on modern hardware . If you're interested in learning more about accessing Linux partitions from Windows , you can consult our article on accessing Linux partitions.
Another important factor in this decision is the difference in licensing. While GNU/Linux uses the GNU General Public License (GPL) , which requires all derivative software to maintain the same open-source philosophy, Rust and new Ubuntu packages are opting for the MIT license . The latter is much more flexible and allows third parties to use and modify the code without having to share their changes, which has generated intense debate among free software advocates.
A gradual change with the help of Oxidizer
To avoid an abrupt transition, Canonical has developed a tool called Oxidizer . This will allow users to try out the new Rust utilities without losing access to traditional GNU versions on the system.
Oxidizer can be easily installed from GitHub or via the Cargo package manager . Users can gradually activate these new commands and, if necessary, revert to the previous system. However, it is recommended to create backups before implementing these changes, as they affect essential system components. For those looking to optimize their Linux experience, you can explore how to improve your terminal.
Some initial tests have shown that the new commands in Rust offer significant improvements in terms of performance and efficiency . One concrete example is the `sort` tool , which in Rust has proven to be up to six times faster than its GNU equivalent.
What does this change mean for the Linux community?
This move by Canonical not only affects Ubuntu, but also reflects a larger trend within the Linux ecosystem. The Linux kernel itself began integrating Rust with version 6.1, and figures like Linus Torvalds have expressed their support for this evolution.
If this transition is successful, we could witness a structural shift in how free software is developed and distributed. The GNU/Linux name could lose its relevance if more and more fundamental system tools cease to depend on the GNU Project. Therefore, this movement prompts reflection on the future and direction of open source software.
On the other hand, Canonical's decision has divided users and developers. While some see this change as an improvement in security and optimization, others question whether it represents a step backward for the philosophy of free software . The adoption of more permissive licenses like the MIT license could open the door for more companies to integrate and modify these elements without having to share their improvements with the community.
The future of Ubuntu and its relationship with the Linux ecosystem is at a crossroads. The project has embarked on a technological transformation with long-term implications. Users now have to decide whether they are willing to embrace this change, which not only impacts system performance and security but also redefines the balance between innovation and the principles of free software.
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