How to Upgrade to Fedora Workstation 44 and Explore Its New Features

Introduction

Fedora Workstation 44 is here, and it brings a fresh desktop experience with GNOME 50, including new parental controls, improved apps, and better color management. Whether you're upgrading from an older version or just want to see what's new, this guide will walk you through the entire process step by step—from preparing your system to exploring the latest changes. By the end, you'll be running the latest Fedora and know exactly where to find its standout features.

What You Need

Before you start, make sure you have the following:

• A working installation of Fedora 43 (or version that supports upgrade to 44)
• Stable internet connection (to download packages; a wired connection is recommended)
• At least 5 GB of free disk space (for the upgrade process and temporary files)
• Time (the upgrade can take 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your connection and hardware)
• Recent backup of important files (just in case something goes wrong)
• Familiarity with terminal commands (only if using the DNF method—optional)

Step-by-Step Upgrade Guide

Step 1: Backup Your Data

Even though upgrades are generally safe, it's wise to back up your important documents, settings, and any custom configurations. You can use GNOME's built-in Backups tool or simply copy files to an external drive. Once done, proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Check System Readyness

Before upgrading, run a quick system update to ensure all packages are current. Open a terminal and type:

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

This ensures your package list is up-to-date and reduces the risk of conflicts. Also, verify that you have enough disk space by running df -h.

Step 3: Choose Your Upgrade Method

Fedora offers three ways to upgrade. Pick the one that suits you best:

• Via GNOME Software (GUI) – easiest for beginners
• Via Terminal (DNF system-upgrade) – more control, better for experienced users
• Via bootable USB – clean install (not covered here; check Fedora's official site)

We'll detail the two most common methods below.

Step 4A: Upgrade Using GNOME Software

1. Open Software from the Activities overview.
2. Click on the Updates tab (the download icon).
3. If Fedora 44 is available, you'll see a banner saying "Fedora Workstation 44 is available." Click it.
4. A prompt will appear asking to download the upgrade. Click Download and wait for the packages to be fetched (this may take a while).
5. Once downloaded, the system will ask to restart and apply the upgrade. Click Restart & Upgrade.
6. Your system will reboot into a special upgrade environment. Let it run – do not power off. After completion, you'll boot into Fedora 44.

Step 4B: Upgrade Using Terminal (DNF system-upgrade)

If you prefer the command line, follow these steps:

1. Open a terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T).
2. Install the system-upgrade plugin if not already present: sudo dnf install dnf-plugin-system-upgrade.
3. Download the packages for Fedora 44: sudo dnf system-upgrade download --releasever=44.
   This will fetch all required packages. You'll be asked to confirm the import of GPG keys – answer yes.
4. After download completes, trigger the upgrade: sudo dnf system-upgrade reboot.
5. The system will reboot and start the upgrade. Do not interrupt it. Once done, you'll be logged into Fedora 44.

Step 5: Verify the Upgrade

After rebooting, confirm you're on the new release. Open Settings -> About or run cat /etc/fedora-release in terminal. It should show "Fedora release 44". Also, check that your applications work correctly.

Step 6: Explore What's New in Fedora 44

Now that you're upgraded, take a tour of the shiny new features:

• GNOME 50 Desktop – Experience refined animations, better color management, and a polished look.
• Parental Controls – Set screen time limits and bedtimes from Settings under the new Digital Wellbeing section.
• Improved Default Apps – Check out the updated Document Viewer, File Manager (Nautilus), and Calendar with new capabilities.
• Accessibility & Remote Desktop – Enhanced screen reader support, better high contrast themes, and smoother remote desktop sessions.

GNOME 50 Refinements

Open the Activities overview – you'll notice smoother animations and a more responsive interface. The Settings app now has a redesigned Display panel with per-monitor color profiles. Right-click on the desktop to try the new Wallpaper picker.

Parental Controls

Go to Settings -> Privacy -> Screen Time to create a new user account with limited screen time. You can set daily limits or a specific bedtime after which the account cannot be used. This is part of the Digital Wellbeing initiative.

App Improvements

Open the Files (Nautilus) app – you'll find a new search bar that supports filename and content searches. The Document Viewer now remembers your reading position across sessions. The Calendar has a new Schedule view that makes adding events quicker.

Tips for a Smooth Upgrade

• Always backup before upgrading – While rare, power outages or network issues can corrupt the upgrade.
• Use a wired internet connection – Downloads are large (about 2-3 GB), and wireless dropouts can cause issues.
• Disable third-party repositories – If you have RPM Fusion or other repos enabled, temporarily disable them to avoid conflicts. You can re-enable after upgrade.
• Do not interrupt the upgrade process – If using the terminal method, do not close the terminal or shut down until the package download and the reboot upgrade phase complete.
• Clear package cache after upgrade – Run sudo dnf clean all to free up disk space.
• Read the official release notes – Visit the Fedora 44 Change Set wiki for a comprehensive list of changes and known issues.
• Join the community – If you encounter problems, ask for help on the Fedora Discussion forum or the Fedora Matrix chat.

Congratulations! You're now running Fedora Workstation 44. Enjoy the GNOME 50 experience and the new features that make your desktop more productive and pleasant.