LXQt 2.3.0: Best New Features

LXQt 2.3.0 brings improved Wayland support and few tweaks.

LXQt 2.3.0 rolled out a few weeks ago, bringing a new wave of improvements that make this Qt-based DE even more attractive to those who value speed and customization on their Linux setups.

As someone who has tinkered with various desktops from GNOME to KDE, I can tell you that LXQt continues to shine for its minimal resource footprint while packing modern features.

Let’s wrap up this release.

LXQt 2.3.0: Feature Highlights

At the heart of LXQt 2.3.0 is improved Wayland support, which is a big win for users moving away from X11. Components like the LXQt panel now integrate better with composers like Labwc, niri and Wayfire.

For example, the Desktop Switcher plugin works seamlessly with Labwc and niri, and there’s a dedicated backend for Wayfire. screen grab (the screenshot app) has also improved, supporting the wlr screenshot protocol for compatibility with more Wayland composers.

If you’re running a Wayland session, you’ll benefit from the new lxqt-qdbus tool added to lxqt-wayland session, which allows the use of qdbus commands without extra effort.

In addition, the release also introduces some thoughtful changes to improve usability as well.

Global scale factor settings are now limited to X11 in the LXQt Wayland session; on Wayland, you will handle by scaling your composer or tools such as kanshi. Auto-start applications are properly categorized, and the Custom assignment plugin in the LXQt Panel has been made more flexible, supporting structured output and updating each new input.

Sorting in the Fancy Menu and Main Menu is now location-aware, ensuring your apps list feels natural. Additionally, the initial configuration file for the panel is accessible outside of LXQt, preventing those annoying blank panels on new installations. Other neat tweaks include enabling the Show Desktop plugin via drag-and-drop, adjust background with the mouse wheeland adding a “Safely Remove” option to PCManFM-Qt’s side panel context menu when applicable. You can even disable file tooltips on the desktop in PCManFM-Qt for a cleaner look.

Furthermore, there are also some new additions to keep things fresh.

In LXQt Power Management there is now a section to turn off the monitor on Wayland, with support for KWin, niri and Hyprland. QTerminal and QTermWidget get a “Toggle Bookmarks” option in the view context menu, and the quick dialog leaves the “Don’t ask again” checkbox for simpler interactions.

The project also has a start new Wiki at lxqt-project.org/wikicomplete with better search and a polished look, while keeping the old pages intact. And good news for domain nostalgia: lxqt.org is back and redirecting to the main site.

On the improvement front, Emoji flags are now properly handled in QTerminal and QTermWidget. Overall, components like LXQt Panel, LXQt Wayland Session, LibFM-Qt/PCManFM-Qt, QTerminal/QTermWidget and LXQt Archiver see various updates and improvements for smoother performance.

Bug fixes address some minor issues. A crash in LibFM-Qt/PCManFM-Qt on mount errors after closing tabs is fixed, along with a fix for a GLib error when moving directories. LXQt Archiver fixes incorrect password handling with 7z, correctly sets enabled conditions for delete and view actions, and ensures that you can navigate back to the root directory after file operations.

One important note: This release matches updated Qt versions for compatibility, so check your distro’s package manager for the latest dependencies. LXQt 2.3.0, this version, is based on Qt 6.10.1.

Downloads and updates

Ubuntu, Fedora have already updated their repo with this, and you might get it out of the box in the next release.

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS “Resolute Raccoon”, which is planned to be released on April 23, 2026, is unlikely to contain this version due to scheduling conflicts.

On the other hand, Fedora 44 will contain this version. It is already in mourning.

Arch Linux users can try this version now from extra repo. You can also install a fresh Arch Linux system using LXQt this guide.

Rounding off

LXQt 2.3.0 is an exciting update for users, bringing improved Wayland support, new features and various fixes. With its focus on lightweight and efficient desktop environment, LXQt 2.3.0 is an excellent choice for users looking for a fast and customizable desktop experience.

Via release notes