[10][11][12] Ubuntu is officially released in multiple editions: Desktop,[13] Server,[14] and Core[15] for Internet of things devices[16] and robots.

[31]Ubuntu is built on Debian's architecture and infrastructure, and comprises Linux server, desktop and discontinued phone and tablet operating system versions.

[46] As of version 24.10, a default installation of Ubuntu contains a minimal selection of software, namely a web browser (Firefox) and basic GNOME utilities (including the desktop).

In addition, Ubuntu redistributes some hardware drivers that are available only in binary format, but such packages are clearly marked in the restricted component.

For increased security, the sudo tool is used to assign temporary privileges for performing administrative tasks, which allows the root account to remain locked and helps prevent inexperienced users from inadvertently making catastrophic system changes or opening security holes.

[66] Ubuntu compiles its packages using GCC features such as PIE and buffer overflow protection to harden its software.[67][relevant?

This departed from the traditional schedule of releasing at the end of October to get "the perfect 10",[118] and makes a playful reference to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy books, since, in binary, 101010 equals decimal 42, the "Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything" within the series.

AppArmor security module for the Linux kernel is used by default on key software packages, and the firewall is extended to common services used by the operating system.

It has versions of key server software pre-installed, including Tomcat, PostgreSQL (v12.2), Docker, Puppet, Python (v3.9), PHP (v8.0), NGINX (v1.17), and MySQL (v8.0).

Another major focus is Canonical Juju for provisioning, deploying, hosting, managing, and orchestrating enterprise data centre infrastructure services, by, with, and for the Ubuntu Server.

[164][165] As of June 2024[update], Ubuntu 22.04 is used in Microsoft NDv5, a Microsoft's Azure cloud computer, its fastest one (of 7 Azure supercomputers, all running on Ubuntu), currently 3rd fastest supercomputer on the TOP500 list (only beaten by the only two exaflop computers; is itself half an exaflop, only the top 3 are that powerful).

[179] Governing Mayor Dieter Reiter cited lack of compatibility with systems outside of the administrative sector, such as requiring a governmental mail server to send e-mails to his personal smartphone, as reasons for the return, but has been criticised for evaluating administrative IT based on private and business standards.

The government cited cost savings as a big factor for the decision, and also stated that open-source software avoids vendor lock-in.

[185][186] Starting in 2008, the Wikimedia Foundation, the non-profit organization behind Wikipedia, switched from multiple different Linux operating systems to Ubuntu.

[192] In early 2008, PC World named Ubuntu the "best all-around Linux distribution available today", though it criticized the lack of an integrated desktop effects manager.

[194] In March 2016, Matt Hartley picked a list of best Linux distributions for Datamation; he chose Ubuntu as number one.

[195] In 2008, Jamie Hyneman, co-host of the American television series MythBusters, advocated Linux (giving the example of Ubuntu) as a solution to software bloat.

[196] Other celebrity users of Ubuntu include science fiction writer Cory Doctorow[197] and actor Stephen Fry.

[198] In January 2014, the UK's authority for computer security, CESG, reported that Ubuntu 12.04 LTS was "the only operating system that passes as many as 9 out of 12 requirements without any significant risks", though it was unclear if any other Linux distributions were tested.

After uproar from the Linux gaming community, Canonical backtracked on this decision and decided to support select 32-bit libraries.

In Canonical's statement on bringing back the libraries, they mentioned using "container technology" in the future to make sure that Wine continues to function.

[203] Soon after being introduced in 2012, doubts emerged on the conformance of the shopping lens (a feature that displays Amazon suggestions in the searching tool Unity Dash) with the European Data Protection Directive.

[204][205] A petition was later signed and delivered to Canonical demanding various modifications to the feature to clearly frame it within European law.

Almost one year later, the ICO ruled in favour of Canonical, considering the various improvements introduced to the feature conformed with the Data Protection Directive.

However, the ruling also made clear that at the time of introduction the feature was not legal, among other things, since it was missing a privacy policy statement.

[citation needed] Ubuntu has integrated increasing quantities of advertising into the operating system's terminal, leading to multiple controversies with its user base.

[212] These vendors offer computers with Ubuntu pre-installed, including Dell,[213] Hasee,[214] Sharp Corporation, OnLogic[215], and Cirrus7.

[226][227][228] Dell sells computers (initially Inspiron 14R and 15R laptops) preloaded with Ubuntu in India and China, with 850 and 350 retail outlets respectively.

[235] Many Windows applications can be run on Ubuntu, much like in other Linux distributions, using the Wine compatibility layer, which can be managed via frontends such as Bottles.

In March 2016, Microsoft announced that it would support the Ubuntu userland on top of the Windows 10 kernel by implementing the Linux system calls as a subsystem.