Ubuntu plans to remove numerous GRUB features in version 26.10 to address security vulnerabilities. The company wants to strip support for several filesystems, image formats, partition tables, and advanced disk features from signed GRUB builds, requiring systems to boot with /boot on a raw ext4 partition.

The proposed changes include removing support for btrfs, hfsplus, xfs, and zfs filesystems, along with jpeg and png image formats. Ubuntu also plans to eliminate LVM support, md-raid (except raid1), and LUKS-encrypted disks. These features will remain available but without secure boot and security support.

Users have expressed significant concerns about the changes. Many rely on encrypted /boot partitions for security compliance, while others need filesystem-specific features for their workflows. Ubuntu will disable upgrades to 26.10 for affected systems, leaving them on 26.04 LTS by default. The debate highlights ongoing tensions between security and functionality in Linux distributions.