Qubes OS has released an update to its operating system, Qubes 4.1.2, which implements the idea of using a hypervisor for strict isolation of applications and components of the OS. The update is available for download from the Qubes website and requires a system with 6 GB of RAM and 64-bit CPU Intel or AMD with VT-support support X C EPT/AMD-V C RVI and VT-D/AMD Immu, preferably the presence of GPU Intel.
Applications in Qubes are divided into separate virtual machines depending on the importance of processed data and the tasks to be solved. Each class of applications (such as work, entertainment, and banking operations) and system services (network subsystem, inter-sequenary screen, storage work, USB glass, etc.) operate in separate virtual machines using the Xen hypervisor. These applications are available within the framework of one desktop and are allocated for clarity with different colors of the window frame. Each environment has access to reading to the basic root FS and local repository, not intersecting with storage facilities of other environments.
The package base of Fedora and Debian can be used as the basis for the formation of virtual environments, with supported templates for Ubuntu, Gentoo, and Arch Linux. Access to applications in a virtual machine with Windows can also be organized, as well as the creation of virtual machines based on Whonix to ensure anonymous access through Tor. The user shell is based on XFCE and applications start in a specific virtual machine when launched from the menu. The content of the virtual environment is determined by a set of templates.
The update to Qubes OS includes only updating versions of the programs that form the basic systemic environment (DOM0), with a template prepared for the formation of virtual environment based on Fedora 37. The installer now offers the possibility of using USB-keyboarding, and the boot menu of the installation image offers the Kernel-Latest option to use the latest release of the kernel with advanced support for equipment. The Qubes 4.1.2 installation image is 6 GB in size and can be downloaded from mirrors.edge.cernel.org/qubes/iso/.