qubes-doc/developer/releases/4_0/release-notes.rst

========================
Qubes R4.0 release notes
========================


New features since 3.2
----------------------


- Core management scripts rewrite with better structure and
  extensibility, `API documentation <https://dev.qubes-os.org/projects/qubes-core-admin/en/latest/>`__

- `Admin API <https://www.qubes-os.org/news/2017/06/27/qubes-admin-api/>`__ allowing strictly
  controlled managing from non-dom0

- All ``qvm-*`` command-line tools rewritten, some options have changed

- Renaming VM directly is prohibited, there is GUI to clone under new
  name and remove old VM

- Use
  `PVH <https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-secpack/blob/master/QSBs/qsb-037-2018.txt>`__
  and `HVM <https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues/2185>`__ by
  default to `mitigate Meltdown & Spectre <https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-secpack/blob/master/QSBs/qsb-037-2018.txt>`__
  and lower the `attack surface on Xen <https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-secpack/blob/master/QSBs/qsb-024-2016.txt>`__

- Create USB VM by default

- `Multiple DisposableVMs templates support <https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues/2253>`__

- New :doc:`backup format </user/how-to-guides/backup-emergency-restore-v4>` using
  scrypt key-derivation function

- Non-encrypted backups no longer supported

- `split VM packages <https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues/2771>`__,
  for better support minimal, specialized templates

- `Qubes Manager decomposition <https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues/2132>`__
  - domains and devices widgets instead of full Qubes Manager; devices
  widget support also USB

- :doc:`More flexible firewall interface </developer/debugging/vm-interface>` for ease
  unikernel integration

- Template VMs do not have network interface by default, `qrexec-based updates proxy <https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues/1854>`__ is
  used instead

- More flexible IP addressing for VMs - `custom IP <https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues/1477>`__, `hidden from the IP <https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues/1143>`__

- More flexible Qubes RPC policy - `related ticket <https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues/865>`__,
  :ref:`documentation <developer/services/qrexec:specifying vms: tags, types, targets, etc.>`

- `New Qubes RPC confirmation window <https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues/910>`__,
  including option to specify destination VM

- `New storage subsystem design <https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues/1842>`__

- Dom0 update to Fedora 25 for better hardware support

- Kernel 4.9.x



You can get detailed description in `completed github issues <https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues?q=is%3Aissue+sort%3Aupdated-desc+milestone%3A%22Release+4.0%22+label%3Arelease-notes+is%3Aclosed>`__

Security Notes
--------------


- PV VMs migrated from 3.2 to 4.0-rc4 or later are automatically set to
  PVH mode in order to protect against Meltdown (see `QSB #37 <https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-secpack/blob/master/QSBs/qsb-037-2018.txt>`__).
  However, PV VMs migrated from any earlier 4.0 release candidate (RC1,
  RC2, or RC3) are not automatically set to PVH mode. These must be set
  manually.

- The following steps may need to be applied in dom0 and Fedora 26
  TemplateVMs in order to receive updates (see
  `#3737 <https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues/3737>`__).
  Steps for dom0 updates:

  1. Open the Qubes Menu by clicking on the “Q” icon in the top-left
     corner of the screen.

  2. Select ``Terminal Emulator``.

  3. In the window that opens, enter this command:

     .. code:: bash

           sudo nano /etc/yum.repos.d/qubes-dom0.repo



  4. This opens the nano text editor. Change all four instances of
     ``http`` to ``https``.

  5. Press ``CTRL+X``, then ``Y``, then ``ENTER`` to save changes and
     exit.

  6. Check for updates normally.


  Steps for Fedora 26 TemplateVM updates:

  1. Open the Qubes Menu by clicking on the “Q” icon in the top-left
     corner of the screen.

  2. Select ``Template: fedora-26``, then ``fedora-26: Terminal``.

  3. In the window that opens, enter the command for your version:

     .. code:: bash

           [Qubes 3.2] sudo gedit /etc/yum.repos.d/qubes-r3.repo
           [Qubes 4.0] sudo gedit /etc/yum.repos.d/qubes-r4.repo



  4. This opens the gedit text editor in a window. Change all four
     instances of ``http`` to ``https``.

  5. Click the “Save” button in the top-right corner of the window.

  6. Close the window.

  7. Check for updates normally.

  8. Shut down the TemplateVM.





Known issues
------------


- Locale using coma as decimal separator `crashes qubesd <https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues/3753>`__.
  Either install with different locale (English (United States) for
  example), or manually apply fix explained in that issue.

- In the middle of installation, `keyboard layout reset to US <https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues/3352>`__. Be
  careful what is the current layout while setting default user
  password (see upper right screen corner).

- On some laptops (for example Librem 15v2), touchpad do not work
  directly after installation. Reboot the system to fix the issue.

- List of USB devices may contain device identifiers instead of name

- With R4.0.1, which ships kernel-4.19, you may never reach the
  anaconda startup and be block on an idle black screen with blinking
  cursor. You can try to add ``plymouth.ignore-serial-consoles`` in the
  grub installer boot menu right after ``quiet rhgb``. With legacy
  mode, you can do it directly when booting the DVD or USB key. In UEFI
  mode, follow the same procedure described for
  :ref:`disabling <user/troubleshooting/uefi-troubleshooting:installation freezes before displaying installer>`
  ``nouveau`` module (related `solved issue <https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues/3849>`__ in
  further version of Qubes).

- For other known issues take a look at `our tickets <https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues?q=is%3Aopen+is%3Aissue+milestone%3A%22Release+4.0%22+label%3Abug>`__



It is advised to install updates just after system installation to apply
bug fixes for (some of) the above problems.

Downloads
---------


See :doc:`Qubes Downloads </user/downloading-installing-upgrading/downloads>`.

Installation instructions
-------------------------


See :doc:`Installation Guide </user/downloading-installing-upgrading/installation-guide>`.

Upgrading
---------


There is no in-place upgrade path from earlier Qubes versions. The only
supported option to upgrade to Qubes R4.0 is to install it from scratch
and use :doc:`qubes backup and restore tools </user/how-to-guides/how-to-back-up-restore-and-migrate>` for
migrating of all of the user VMs. We also provide :doc:`detailed instruction </user/downloading-installing-upgrading/upgrade/4_0>` for this procedure.