Linux 7.2 brings cache-aware scheduling, faster ext4 and Btrfs

Linux kernel 7.2 has been released with cache-aware scheduling, faster ext4 and Btrfs filesystems, and improved hardware drivers, according to OMG! Ubuntu. The 9-week development cycle set a merge-window record with over 2,100 contributors, and roughly 5% of commits carry an 'assisted-by' tag, indicating AI assistance. The update also removed more than 13,000 lines of legacy CPU emulation code, a 40-year-old Hercules graphics driver, AppleTalk networking, and ISA/PCMCIA ARCnet drivers.

Linux kernel 7.2 has been released, adding cache-aware scheduling, ext4 filesystem performance boosts and a slew of new and improved hardware drivers for laptops and peripherals. A merge-widow record was also set during the 9-week development cycle, with more than 2,100 individual contributors involved. AI, obviously, has helped. Commit-crunching found roughly 5% of commits in 7.2 show an ‘assisted-by’ tag. Not that this update was just additions. More than 13,000 lines of code for legacy CPU emulation were removed from Linux 7.2, as was a 40-year-old Hercules graphics card driver, AppleTalk networking protocol and ISA and PCMCIA ARCnet drivers. None … You're reading Linux 7.2 brings cache-aware scheduling, faster ext4 and Btrfs https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/08/linux-7-2-cache-aware-scheduling-ext4-btrfs , a blog post from OMG Ubuntu https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk . Do not reproduce elsewhere without permission.