The Raspberry Pi project has released a new version of the Raspberry Pi OS distribution (Raspbian) on November 24, 2025. The distribution is based on the package base Debian 13 and contains approximately 35 packages in the repository. The desktop environment is based on the labwc composite server, which uses the wlroots library from the Sway project. Three builds are available for download: a reduced (494 MB) for server systems, a basic desktop (1.2 GB), and a full build with an additional set of applications (1.9 GB). Builds are available for 32- and 64-bit architectures. An update for the older Raspberry Pi OS (Legacy) edition, built on the package base, has also been created. Debian 12.
Key changes:
- Composite server labwc has been updated to the 0.9 branch (previously the 0.8 release was shipped), which takes advantage of new features of the wlroots 0.19 library, such as the implementation of new Wayland protocols (ext-data-control, alpha-modifier, xdg-toplevel-icon, drm-syncobj, ext-image-copy-capture), Multi-GPU support and the ability to explicitly synchronize buffers using DRM (Direct Rendering Manager) synchronization objects.
- The display configurator now includes the ability to set the scaling level for high-pixel-density (HiDPI) displays.
- The panel, file manager, and applications now support vector icons that display correctly on screens with any pixel density.
- The Alacarte menu editor has been added to the core package.
- The Pulseaudio sound server has been removed from the package (only pipewire remains).
- Icon support has been added to the task switching interface used in Wayland-based sessions.
- Window design settings for Openbox have been unified with those for the labwc composite manager.
- Pop-up windows with the calendar and volume control are now closed when clicking on their icons.
- Added support for changing themes for Qt6-based applications. Font selection for Qt5-based applications has been optimized.
- The configurator plugin (Control Centre) has been removed from the taskbar.
- Kernel versions have been updated Linux 6.12.47, Chromium 142 and Firefox 145.
Concurrently, the Raspberry Pi Imager 2.0 toolkit was released. It provides an interface for selecting and loading Raspberry Pi OS system images, writing to an SD card, and initial system configuration. Changes include:
- The user interface has been completely redesigned and converted into a multi-step wizard with separate screens for selecting the Raspberry Pi device, selecting the operating system, identifying the drive, configuring the system, and burning the image.
- Added a sidebar with a list of installation and configuration stages.
- The color scheme has been modernized and the spacing between elements has been increased.
- A setup wizard for the Raspberry Pi Connect service has been implemented. This service is designed for remote connection to the Raspberry Pi OS desktop via a web browser.
- Improved accessibility features and support for keyboard-only control without the need for a mouse.
Source: opennet.ru
