Linux 7.0-rc2 Released as Torvalds Expresses Concern Over Kernel Size

Linus Torvalds released Linux 7.0-rc2 on March 1, 2026, continuing the release candidate cycle for the kernel's first major version number change since the 5.x to 6.x transition. Torvalds noted in the release announcement that "I'm not super-happy with how big this is," expressing concern about the growing size of the kernel codebase.

The Version Jump

The jump from Linux 6.19 to Linux 7.0 was confirmed by Torvalds in February, following the same pattern as previous major version increments: when the minor version number reaches a point that Torvalds considers "unwieldy," he resets to x.0 with the next major number. The change is cosmetic — Linux 7.0 is not a rewrite or architectural overhaul, but a continuation of the same development process with a cleaner version number. The previous stable release, Linux 6.19, shipped on February 8.

What's New in 7.0

Linux 7.0 includes expanded Rust language support for kernel module development, new AI accelerator drivers for hardware from Nvidia, AMD, and Intel, continued improvements to the io_uring asynchronous I/O subsystem, and updates to the BPF subsystem for programmable networking and observability. The kernel's growing support for AI hardware — including drivers for Nvidia's Grace Hopper Superchip and AMD's Instinct MI400 — reflects the increasing importance of data center and AI workloads as a driver of kernel development.

Size Concerns

Torvalds' expression of concern about the kernel's size is not new — he has periodically voiced frustration about the volume of code submitted during each release cycle. The Linux kernel now exceeds 30 million lines of code, and the 7.0 cycle is one of the largest in terms of lines changed. The growth is driven by new hardware drivers, expanded architecture support, and the addition of entire subsystems for emerging technologies. The final Linux 7.0 stable release is expected in mid-April 2026.