Dear Qubes Community,
We're pleased to announce the first [release candidate](#what-is-a-release-candidate) for Qubes 4.1.2! This [patch release](#what-is-a-patch-release) aims to consolidate all the security patches, bug fixes, and upstream template OS upgrades that have occurred since prior Qubes 4.1 releases. Our goal is to provide a secure and convenient way for users to install (or reinstall) the latest stable Qubes release with an up-to-date ISO.
Qubes 4.1.2-rc1 is available on the [downloads](Download Qubes OS | Qubes OS) page.
## What's new in Qubes 4.1.2?
Qubes 4.1.2-rc1 includes numerous updates over the initial 4.1.0 release, in particular:
- All 4.1 dom0 updates to date
- Fedora 37 template
- USB keyboard support in the installer ([#7674](Allow creating sys-usb in installer even when USB keyboard is used · Issue #7674 · QubesOS/qubes-issues · GitHub))
- `kernel-latest` available as a boot option when starting the installer ([#5900](Latest kernel in ISO · Issue #5900 · QubesOS/qubes-issues · GitHub))
## Testing Qubes 4.1.2-rc1
If you're willing to [test](Testing new releases and updates | Qubes OS) this release candidate, you can help to improve the eventual stable release by [reporting any bugs you encounter](Issue tracking | Qubes OS). We strongly encourage experienced users to join the [testing team](Joining the Testing Team)!
## Existing Qubes 4.1 users
If you're not interested in testing this release candidate, and you're already using Qubes 4.1, then you should simply [update normally](How to update | Qubes OS) (which includes [upgrading any EOL templates](How to update | Qubes OS) you might have) in order to make your system essentially equivalent to this patch release. No special action is required on your part.
## Release candidate planning
If no significant bugs are discovered in 4.1.2-rc1, we expect to announce the stable release of 4.1.2 in two to three weeks.
## What is a release candidate?
A release candidate (RC) is a software build that has the potential to become a stable release, unless significant bugs are discovered in testing. Release candidates are intended for more advanced (or adventurous!) users who are comfortable testing early versions of software that are potentially buggier than stable releases. You can read more about Qubes OS [supported releases](Supported releases | Qubes OS) and the [version scheme](Version scheme | Qubes OS) in our documentation.
## What is a patch release?
The Qubes OS Project uses the [semantic versioning](https://semver.org/) standard. Version numbers are written as `<major>.<minor>.<patch>`. Hence, we refer to releases that increment the third number as "patch releases." A patch release does not designate a separate, new major or minor release of Qubes OS. Rather, it designates its respective major or minor release (in this case, 4.1) inclusive of all updates up to a certain point. (See [supported releases](Supported releases | Qubes OS) for a comprehensive list of major and minor releases.) Installing any prior Qubes 4.1 release and fully [updating](How to update | Qubes OS) it results in essentially the same system as installing Qubes 4.1.2. You can learn more about how Qubes release versioning works in the [version scheme](Version scheme | Qubes OS) documentation.
This announcement is also available on the Qubes website: