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Enlightenment 0.28 Adds PipeWire and NetBSD Support

The latest desktop environment update expands hardware compatibility and refines network and audio management for users.

Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Computers

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Carsten Haitzler has released Enlightenment 0.28, introducing NetBSD support and a new integrated module for managing network protocols and hardware connections. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Carsten Haitzler has released Enlightenment 0.28, the latest version of the modular desktop environment for Linux and Unix-like operating systems. This stable release introduces expanded hardware support and new integrated system utilities.

Why it matters

This update modernizes the desktop environment by integrating modern media and network handling protocols while broadening its compatibility to include NetBSD.

Enlightenment 0.28 improves audio handling by adding PipeWire support to its mixer module. It also removes the requirement for CAP_SYS_NICE privileges for process priority adjustments.

The players

Carsten Haitzler

The primary developer and lead maintainer of the Enlightenment desktop environment.

The details

The release integrates a new NetworkManager module capable of handling Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and VPN connections. It also features an integrated clipboard history manager and refined battery management that remembers charge limit settings. Support for NetBSD has been added to the codebase, expanding the environment's reach beyond its traditional Linux and BSD focus.

Timeline

  1. March 2026: Enlightenment 0.27 was released.

  2. October 31, 2026: Enlightenment 0.28 was released.

The Tech Race

This release aligns the desktop with the broader industry shift toward the PipeWire multimedia framework. It follows a 7.5-month development cycle since the previous version to maintain competitive compatibility with evolving Linux kernel standards.

Users can access the new release by compiling the source code or installing it through stable software repositories in supported Linux distributions. The update provides immediate utility for users requiring granular battery management and unified network connection handling.

The takeaway

Enlightenment 0.28 demonstrates a focus on improving system integration and hardware support for Linux and NetBSD users. Developers and enthusiasts should watch for upcoming point releases to track the stabilization of the new NetBSD port.

Further reading

For broader trends in open-source interface design, explore our coverage of Computers.

Source note: This article includes information reported by 9to5Linux.

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Do you prefer getting frequent software updates over waiting for long-term stable releases?