Ubuntu Switches to Dracut With 25.10: What Does It Mean for You?

It is only a matter of weeks before Ubuntu 25.10, the second interim release of the year, arrives. There are many niceties in store, like the inclusion of Linux kernel 6.17, two new default apps, and the removal of X11 in favor of Wayland.

But back to the main topic, there is a notable change that sees Ubuntu switch its default initramfs generator from the long-standing initramfs-tools to Dracut.

Why is Dracut Ubuntu’s Initramfs Choice?

Initramfs-tools has served Ubuntu for decades, relying heavily on shell scripts. While reliable, it can be harder to maintain and extend. Dracut offers a modular approach that simplifies updates and offers better support for modern hardware.

With Dracut, new installations of Ubuntu 25.10 will generate the initial RAM filesystem (initramfs) automatically. Existing users can continue using initramfs-tools if needed, but the default experience now leverages Dracut’s modularity and maintainability improvements.

The reasoning behind the move is said to be a focus on active upstream support, modular architecture, and systemd integration. Developers expect it to reduce boot complexity, improve maintainability, and provide a more consistent startup experience across machines.

Dracut supports modern storage devices, encrypted filesystems, and advanced setups like NVMe over Fabrics. Its modular design ensures that only the required drivers and tools are included in the initramfs, creating a more streamlined boot process.

For most users, the change will be seamless and mostly invisible. Boot behavior remains familiar, and even advanced configurations such as encrypted ZFS setups are now supported.

This strategic move also serves as preparation for Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, allowing developers to gather real-world feedback and iron out any remaining issues before the next long-term support release.

All things considered, this positions Ubuntu alongside the likes of Fedora and Red Hat Enterprise Linux, which have long relied on Dracut for quicker, more modular, and systemd-integrated boot processes.