Linux Kernel 7.1 Ends 486 Era, Delivers Revamped NTFS Support
Linus Torvalds has announced Linux kernel 7.1, marking the end of Intel 486 CPU support and a significant code cleanup. This update also introduces a new, native in-kernel NTFS driver, which Torvalds termed an 'NTFS resurrection,' addressing long-standing compatibility and data integrity issues with Microsoft file systems for global users.
Key points
- Linus Torvalds, creator of Linux, officially released kernel version 7.1, marking a significant step in the operating system's modernization.
- The update notably discontinues support for the Intel 486 processor and other legacy hardware, leading to the removal of over 140,000 lines of aged code.
- A new native in-kernel NTFS driver is integrated, replacing older, problematic solutions and providing robust read and write capabilities for Microsoft file systems.
- Termed an "NTFS resurrection" by Torvalds, this driver aims to resolve past data corruption issues and enhance cross-platform compatibility.
- Further improvements include the default enablement of Intel's FRED technology and updated ntfsprogs-plus utilities for NTFS error repair.
Linux creator Linus Torvalds has announced the release of kernel version 7.1, introducing substantial changes that modernize the operating system and improve compatibility. The update signals a strategic shift by ending support for obsolete hardware and integrating a long-awaited file system solution.
Key among the changes is the definitive removal of support for the Intel 486 processor and its contemporaries, a move that has been anticipated for years and involves the deletion of over 140,000 lines of legacy code. This cleanup extends to other ancient hardware, including Baikal CPUs and old bus mouse ports, streamlining the kernel and improving its overall performance and security.
Simultaneously, Linux 7.1 introduces a brand-new, native in-kernel driver for Microsoft's New Technology File System (NTFS). This implementation, which Torvalds himself described as an "NTFS resurrection," replaces problematic third-party drivers like NTFS-3G FUSE and the Paragon-contributed NTFS3. Built on modern filesystem infrastructure, the new driver offers reliable read and write capabilities for NTFS volumes, aiming to resolve past data corruption issues and enhance seamless interaction with Windows-formatted drives.
Beyond these major revisions, the kernel also enables Intel's Flexible Return and Event Delivery (FRED) by default and includes ntfsprogs-plus, an improved suite of utilities designed to repair certain forms of NTFS corruption. These additions collectively contribute to a more secure, efficient, and compatible Linux experience for its global user base.
Sources
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