During the month of May 2025, cachyOS, the Arch Linux-based distribution, has presented A new ISO image that represents a further step in the quest for greater compatibility and optimization for various types of users. This update brings with it interesting tweaks, especially for those with older graphics cards and those using handheld devices like the Steam Deck.
With this latest snapshot, the developers have put the focus on facilitating a smoother experience from the start, incorporating a revamped Plymouth animation and improving support for NVIDIA GPUs, especially the 10xx series and older. This results in proper automatic module detection and loading during live launch, which should address issues present in previous releases.
Key features of the CachyOS May 2025 release
The May edition remains on the Linux kernel base 6.14 and bets on the desktop environment KDE Plasma 6.3.5, accompanied by the KDE Gear 25.04.1 suite and KDE Frameworks 6.14. All of this is adapted to the Qt 6.9 framework, ensuring greater stability and access to the latest features of the KDE ecosystem.
In addition, it has been updated to Proton-CachyOS, based on the upcoming Proton 10 release, which positively impacts the gaming experience for those using the distribution as a gaming platform.
Improved support for portable hardware
La Handheld Edition CachyOS isn't far behind, adding improvements designed to optimize devices like the Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go. Among the new features is the integration of the SteamOS Manager software, which facilitates the management of audio profiles, control of game modes, and customization of parameters such as clock speed and power consumption. These options allow users to customize their device to their usage needs, both on the go and during extended gaming sessions.
Other notable adjustments and changes
Several minor but relevant changes have also been implemented in this version: the Cachy-Browser browser is now depreciated in favor of Firefox as the default browser, while removing the “Discover” entry from the taskbar to simplify the environment. The package ddcutil has been updated to its release candidate version, fixing some crashes experienced in Plasma, and incorporating minor tweaks to handheld editing.
On the other hand, a has been developed specific solution for Russian users, after the CachyOS CDN restricted web access from that country. Currently, there is an alternative package manager for users to continue using the distribution without additional obstacles.
Update for current CachyOS users and download
For those who already use CachyOS, simply run the command sudo pacman -Syu from the terminal or use the Plasma Discover graphical manager to keep your system up to date. The new ISO images are available on the distribution's official website, both for traditional desktop and for the version aimed at portable hardware.
CachyOS continues to advance with each monthly update, focusing on ease of use, support for diverse hardware, and the addition of new solutions to improve the desktop, gaming, and mobile experience.
