Your Complete Guide to Upgrading to Fedora Workstation 44

Overview

Fedora Workstation 44 is here, bringing a host of refinements to your Linux desktop experience. The star of this release is GNOME 50, the latest version of the widely acclaimed desktop environment. Alongside visual polish and performance tweaks, GNOME 50 introduces new parental controls as part of the Digital Wellbeing initiative, letting you manage screen time and set bedtimes directly from Settings. Applications like the Document Viewer, File Manager, and Calendar have also received updates. This guide will walk you through upgrading to Fedora Workstation 44, whether you prefer a graphical interface or the command line. By the end, you'll be running the newest Fedora with confidence.

Your Complete Guide to Upgrading to Fedora Workstation 44 — Source: fedoramagazine.org

Prerequisites

Before you begin the upgrade, ensure your system meets these requirements:

Current Fedora version: You must be on Fedora 41 or later. If you're on an older release, upgrade to Fedora 41 first.
Backup: Always back up important data. Use tools like rsync, Deja Dup, or simply copy files to an external drive.
Disk space: At least 5 GB of free space in /var and 2 GB in /boot. Check with df -h.
Stable internet connection: The upgrade downloads roughly 1.5–2 GB of packages. A wired connection is recommended.
Updated system: Run sudo dnf update --refresh to ensure all current packages are up to date.

Step-by-Step Upgrade Instructions

You have two main upgrade paths: using GNOME Software (GUI) or the terminal with dnf system-upgrade. Choose the method that best suits your comfort level.

Method 1: Upgrade via GNOME Software (GUI)

Open GNOME Software from the Activities overview or by pressing the Super key and typing 'Software'.
Go to the Updates tab. If an update to Fedora 44 is available, you'll see a banner or notification saying "Fedora 44 is available".
Click Download or Upgrade. The system will fetch the necessary packages. This may take several minutes.
When prompted, restart your computer. The upgrade will continue during the reboot, applying the new system.
After completion, log in and verify the version with cat /etc/fedora-release.

Method 2: Upgrade via Terminal (dnf system-upgrade)

This method gives you more control and is preferred by power users. Follow these steps precisely:

Install the DNF plugin (if not already present):
```
sudo dnf install dnf-plugin-system-upgrade
```
Download the upgrade packages:
```
sudo dnf system-upgrade download --releasever=44
```
This downloads all necessary packages and checks dependencies. If errors occur, read the output carefully — you may need to remove conflicting packages or update third-party repos.
Trigger the reboot for upgrade:
```
sudo dnf system-upgrade reboot
```
Your system will restart and enter a special upgrade environment. Do not interrupt this process.
Post-upgrade verification: After the system boots normally, run:
```
cat /etc/fedora-release
```
You should see Fedora release 44 (Forty Four). Also check that your applications and GNOME Shell version (Settings → About) reflect the new release.

What to Expect After Upgrade

Once you're on Fedora Workstation 44, several improvements are ready for you:

GNOME 50 Refinements

Digital Wellbeing: New parental controls under Settings → Privacy → Screen Time allow you to limit usage and set bedtime schedules for child accounts.
Color management: Improved handling of ICC profiles for more accurate colors on supported monitors.
Remote desktop: Updated RDP support makes connecting to your machine from other devices smoother.
App improvements: The Document Viewer now supports bookmarks; the File Manager (Nautilus) has better network browsing; Calendar integrates more seamlessly with online accounts.

Common Mistakes and Troubleshooting

Even veteran users can trip up during upgrades. Here are pitfalls to avoid and how to fix them:

Skipping the backup: Always backup. If something goes wrong (power failure, corrupted download), you may lose data.
Insufficient disk space: The upgrade downloads packages to /var. Free up space by removing old kernels (sudo dnf remove --oldinstallonly) or cleaning dnf cache (sudo dnf clean all).
Third-party repositories: If you have RPM Fusion or other repos, temporarily disable them during the download step by renaming /etc/yum.repos.d/*.repo files (move them elsewhere). Re-enable after upgrade.
Interrupted reboot: Never force a shutdown during the upgrade. If it freezes, wait at least 10 minutes. As a last resort, reboot with the power button, then try sudo dnf system-upgrade --resume.
Dependency conflicts: During dnf system-upgrade download, you may see "package X requires ..." errors. Resolve by removing the offending package (sudo dnf remove X) or updating it from a compatible repo.

Summary

Upgrading to Fedora Workstation 44 is straightforward with either GNOME Software or the terminal. The release introduces GNOME 50 with parental controls, enhanced color management, and improved default apps. By following the prerequisites and steps outlined above—especially backing up your data and checking disk space—you'll ensure a smooth transition. For further details, consult the Fedora 44 Change Set or join the Fedora community on Discussion or Matrix. Enjoy your upgraded desktop!