How to upgrade AlmaLinux 9 to 10

Upgrade your AlmaLinux system with ease! Discover step-by-step instructions to upgrade AlmaLinux 9 to 10—fast, safe, and future-ready. Don’t risk falling behind—secure the latest features and performance now before support ends! #centlinux #linux #almalinux

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Introduction

Upgrading your server or desktop OS isn’t just about getting the latest features—it’s about staying secure, fast, and future-proof. If you’re running AlmaLinux 9 and wondering how to make the leap to AlmaLinux 10, you’re in the right place. This guide is packed with everything you need—from the “why” to the “how”—to ensure a smooth, hassle-free upgrade.

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Understanding AlmaLinux

AlmaLinux has gained serious traction in the Linux world, especially since CentOS shifted its direction. But what exactly is AlmaLinux? It’s a free, open-source, community-driven Linux distribution that’s binary-compatible with RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux). Essentially, it gives users the stability of RHEL without the licensing costs. Businesses, developers, and sysadmins love it for its consistency, performance, and long-term support.

If you’re currently on AlmaLinux 9, you’re already enjoying great performance. But AlmaLinux 10 brings in a new layer of polish, better security, and long-term improvements that make upgrading a wise move.

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Why Upgrade AlmaLinux 9 to 10?

So, why should you bother upgrading to AlmaLinux 10? Is it worth the effort? Absolutely.

• Security: AlmaLinux 10 includes kernel-level security updates, tighter SELinux enforcement, and more hardened defaults.
• Performance: Expect faster boot times, better memory management, and enhancements to systemd, which improve overall responsiveness.
• Support for New Hardware: With kernel updates and expanded driver support, newer CPUs, GPUs, and storage devices will run smoother.
• Updated Software Stacks: AlmaLinux 10 ships with newer versions of GCC, Python, OpenSSL, and more.
• Lifecycle Extension: Upgrading ensures you stay within the supported lifecycle of the OS, reducing the risk of running an end-of-life system.

Think of it as giving your system a major tune-up. You might not notice every change, but you’ll definitely appreciate the overall performance and reliability boost.

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Preparing for the Upgrade

Before diving into the upgrade, preparation is key. Skipping this part is like jumping into deep waters without checking for sharks. Let’s break it down step-by-step.

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System Requirements for AlmaLinux 10

Before you hit the upgrade button, ensure your system can actually run AlmaLinux 10. Here’s what you need:

• CPU: 64-bit processor, preferably newer than 2010 models for better hardware compatibility.
• RAM: Minimum 2 GB (4 GB or more recommended for servers).
• Storage: At least 10 GB of free disk space.
• Boot mode: UEFI or legacy BIOS supported.

To check available space, run:

df -h

To check your CPU and memory:

lscpu
free -h

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Backing Up Your Current System

This is non-negotiable. Upgrades can fail—due to power cuts, bugs, or misconfigurations. Having a backup means you’re not starting from scratch.

Here are tools you can use:

• Timeshift – Great for desktop users
• rsync – For server users
• Tarball backup – Use tar to compress your essential files
• Full disk image – Use tools like Clonezilla

Don’t forget databases, config files, and user data. Store the backup off the system you’re upgrading.

Read Also: How to Upgrade Rocky Linux 9 to 10

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Updating Existing Packages

Make sure your system is up-to-date before upgrading. This avoids version conflicts and smoothens the process.

Run:

sudo dnf update -y
sudo reboot

This makes sure you’re on the latest AlmaLinux 9 release before jumping to 10.

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Checking for Compatibility Issues

Use the leapp tool’s pre-upgrade checker to detect incompatible packages, third-party software, and deprecated features.

Install the tool:

sudo dnf install leapp-upgrade -y

Then run:

sudo leapp preupgrade

This step will give you a detailed report of potential blockers. Don’t ignore this!

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Methods for Upgrading

Now that your system is prepped and ready, it’s time to choose your upgrade path. While there are technically a couple of ways to go from AlmaLinux 9 to 10, not all of them are created equal.

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1. Using Leapp Tool

The Leapp utility is the officially supported and recommended method for in-place upgrades on AlmaLinux. It’s safe, reliable, and extensively tested by the AlmaLinux OS Foundation and the open-source community. Here’s why it’s preferred:

• Automates the entire upgrade process
• Preserves configurations and user data
• Performs pre-upgrade checks to flag issues
• Offers rollback guidance in case something fails

If you’re running a production server or mission-critical environment, this is the path to take. It reduces manual steps and lowers the risk of human error.

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2. Manual Upgrade (Not Recommended for Most Users)

You can manually upgrade your system by switching repositories, manually replacing RPMs, and resolving dependencies. But this method is:

• Time-consuming
• Error-prone
• Risky (especially for non-experts)

Unless you’re in a test environment or just love living on the edge, avoid this. It’s much easier to just use Leapp, which is designed specifically for major version upgrades.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Upgrading via Leapp

Alright, time to roll up your sleeves and start the upgrade. This is where the magic happens, and we’ll walk through every step carefully to ensure success.

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Install Leapp and Dependencies

Start by installing the necessary tools. Run the following commands:

sudo dnf install leapp-upgrade leapp-data leapp-repository -y

Make sure all dependencies are resolved. If anything fails to install, troubleshoot before moving forward.

Also, install required repositories:

sudo dnf install epel-release -y

Update your system again to ensure the newest versions:

sudo dnf update -y

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Run Pre-upgrade Checks

Before upgrading, let’s simulate it and see what issues might crop up:

sudo leapp preupgrade

This generates a detailed report at:

/var/log/leapp/leapp-report.txt

Review this carefully. It will point out things like:

• Unsupported kernel modules
• Incompatible software
• Disk space issues
• Third-party packages needing attention

If your system uses a custom kernel, RAID arrays, or exotic drivers, this step is critical.

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Address Any Detected Issues

You might need to:

• Remove or replace deprecated packages
• Update third-party software
• Disable unnecessary services
• Apply recommended workarounds in the Leapp report

For example, to remove an old conflicting package:

sudo dnf remove old-package-name

You might also have to create a custom answer file if Leapp prompts for user intervention:

sudo leapp answer --section remove_pam_pkcs11_module_check.confirm=True

The idea is to fix all blockers before proceeding.

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Perform the Actual Upgrade

Now for the big moment. Start the upgrade with:

sudo leapp upgrade

Once the process finishes, reboot into the new upgrade kernel:

sudo reboot

On reboot, Leapp continues the upgrade automatically. Don’t interrupt this process. Your system might reboot again once or twice. When it boots up, you’ll be running AlmaLinux 10.

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Post-upgrade Clean-up

Once the system is back up:

• Remove orphaned packages
• Clean the DNF cache
• Verify all services are running

Commands:

sudo dnf autoremove -y
sudo dnf clean all

Also, check SELinux status, firewall rules, and SSH configurations to ensure nothing broke during the transition.

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Troubleshooting Common Issues

Upgrades are rarely flawless. Here are some issues you might run into—and how to fix them.

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Boot Issues

If the system doesn’t boot after upgrade:

• Check GRUB configuration by booting into a rescue disk
• Rebuild the initramfs image
• Use chroot to fix misconfigurations

Commands:

sudo grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg
sudo dracut --force

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Package Conflicts

Sometimes, leftover packages from AlmaLinux 9 won’t play nice. Use:

sudo dnf list extras

Then remove or reinstall:

sudo dnf remove conflicting-package

Or reinstall:

sudo dnf reinstall problematic-package

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Network Configuration Problems

If your system loses network connectivity:

• Check /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/
• Restart NetworkManager:

sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager

• Use nmcli to manually reconfigure interfaces

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Post-Upgrade Tasks

You’ve made it through the upgrade—great job! But don’t call it a day just yet. There are a few important things you should do to ensure everything is working as expected and your system is fully optimized.

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Verify AlmaLinux 10 Installation

First, let’s make sure the upgrade really took place and you’re now running AlmaLinux 10.

Run:

cat /etc/os-release

You should see something like:

NAME="AlmaLinux"
VERSION="10 (Base)"

Also, verify the kernel version:

uname -r

If the output starts with 5.14 or higher, you’re on the newer kernel supported by AlmaLinux 10.

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Check System Logs and Services

Use journalctl and systemctl to check for any errors or failed services after the upgrade.

Check logs:

journalctl -xe

List failed services:

systemctl --failed

Re-enable any services that may have been disabled or failed:

sudo systemctl enable servicename
sudo systemctl start servicename

Don’t forget to check cron jobs, firewalld rules, and SELinux policies if your setup is more advanced.

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Reinstall Third-Party Software(If Required)

Some custom or third-party applications may have broken during the upgrade. This could be due to incompatible binaries, missing libraries, or version conflicts.

You might need to:

• Re-add external repositories
• Rebuild from source
• Install compatible package versions

For example, to add an external repo:

sudo dnf config-manager --add-repo=https://repo.example.com/custom.repo

If you used containerization (like Docker), check your container services and re-pull images if necessary.

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Tips for a Smooth Upgrade

Want to make future upgrades easier? Here are a few battle-tested tips from Linux sysadmins who’ve been there:

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Schedule During Low-Traffic Hours

For servers in production, avoid upgrading during peak business hours. Schedule maintenance during nights or weekends to minimize downtime. Also, inform stakeholders in advance.

Use tools like at or cron to schedule upgrade commands ahead of time.

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Keep a Rollback Plan Ready

No matter how confident you are, always have a fallback.

Ways to do this:

• Use full system snapshots with tools like LVM snapshots or Timeshift
• Clone your disk to another machine
• Maintain recent backups and test the restore process

If you’re on a virtual machine, take a snapshot before beginning. This lets you roll back instantly.

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Test the Upgrade in a Staging Environment First

If you manage multiple machines or servers, don’t upgrade them all at once. Start with a test or staging machine. This lets you:

• Detect unexpected issues
• Estimate upgrade time
• Validate software and hardware compatibility

Once confirmed, roll out upgrades in batches.

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Alternatives to Upgrading

Sometimes, upgrading isn’t the best route. In these cases, a clean install might be a better choice.

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Clean Install vs. In-Place Upgrade

In-place upgrade pros:

• Keeps existing configurations
• Retains user data
• Faster for minor changes

Clean install pros:

• Eliminates old bugs and configs
• Cleaner, more stable base
• Ideal for major system overhauls

You can perform a clean install by downloading the AlmaLinux 10 ISO, creating a bootable USB with tools like Rufus or Balena Etcher, and reinstalling from scratch.

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When a Fresh Start Makes More Sense

Consider a fresh install if:

• Your system has lots of legacy baggage or cruft
• You’re switching from another distro (like CentOS or Ubuntu)
• The current install is unstable or heavily modified
• You want to re-partition your disk

Sometimes wiping the slate clean is just easier and more reliable in the long run.

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Conclusion

Upgrading from AlmaLinux 9 to AlmaLinux 10 isn’t just a technical chore—it’s a smart move that keeps your system secure, fast, and ready for the future. With the Leapp tool, the process is smoother than ever, but preparation is still key. From backing up your system and verifying hardware requirements to cleaning up after the upgrade, every step plays a vital role in a successful transition.

Whether you’re running a personal development box or a mission-critical production server, this guide ensures you’re covered from start to finish. Don’t forget to test everything post-upgrade, monitor your logs, and keep your rollback plans handy. You’re now ready to harness all the power and improvements that AlmaLinux 10 has to offer.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I downgrade if something goes wrong?
No official downgrade path exists. That’s why taking full backups or VM snapshots before upgrading is crucial. If the upgrade fails, restore from your backup.

2. Is Leapp safe for production environments?
Yes, Leapp is widely used in enterprise environments and supported by the AlmaLinux OS Foundation. Always test first on a staging system to be safe.

3. Will my custom configurations be preserved?
Generally, yes. Leapp tries to preserve most of your configurations. However, always back up config files in /etc just in case.

4. How long does the upgrade process take?
Depending on your system and internet speed, it typically takes 30–90 minutes. Add more time if your system has many packages or customizations.

5. Do I need a reboot after upgrading?
Yes. A reboot is required to switch to the new kernel and complete the upgrade. Always verify that all services start correctly afterward.

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