Linux 7.3-rc5 Released: Another large weekly test candidate ahead of the October release

Quick summary

Linux 7.3-rc5 is the latest weekly test kernel as the project moves toward a stable 7.3 release, tentatively scheduled for 18 October. The rc5 snapshot contains a broad set of changes spanning drivers, selftests, architecture code, and core kernel subsystems.

What changed in rc5

• Driver work: support was merged for some new mice and other HID devices. Multiple graphics driver fixes (DRM) are included. One notable revert removed Logitech Holt Receiver HID++ support because it caused issues.
• Selftests: an unusually large fraction of the patch volume is selftest work. The biggest single patch appears to be an arm64 KVM ITS table test.
• Architecture fixes: much of the architecture-side changes are KVM-related, with some perf adjustments.
• Core kernel: there are changes in the scheduler and BPF code, plus various core VFS and XFS fixes.

Why the release looks large

Context driving the fixes

The 7.3 cycle remains busy. Contributors are addressing issues uncovered by automated analysis tools and by the influx of new hardware and device quirks. This cycle has repeatedly included patches attributed to automated agents finding defects, and those reports continue to feed fixes across filesystems, drivers, and core code.

Notable specifics to watch

• Reverted Logitech Holt Receiver HID++ support: users relying on that support should be aware it was removed in rc5 due to issues.
• ARM64 KVM testing: the arm64 KVM ITS table selftest is large and represents part of the unusual selftest footprint in this rc.
• DRM/graphics fixes: multiple fixes landed for the kernel graphics subsystem ahead of the stable release.

Testing and next steps

Linus closed his announcement by asking people to keep testing. The next weekly rc will show if the unusual diffstat was a temporary clustering of selftests and small driver fixes, or if more broad work remains. If the cycle stays on schedule, the stable 7.3 kernel should appear around 18 October and become part of autumn distributions such as Ubuntu 26.10.

Bottom line

rc5 is a wide-ranging maintenance snapshot rather than a single-area emergency. There are practical items for users and integrators to note—especially the Logitech revert and the graphics fixes—but maintainers do not appear concerned that anything in rc5 is a showstopper. Continued testing is the practical need until the stable 7.3 release.