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By Zayden R., August 18, 2026
Linux 7.3 removes outdated EFS and FreeVxFS file-systems while introducing FailFS for better error handling. New VRAM overcommit handling aims to improve gaming stability even when running out of memory.
In a significant update for Linux 7.3, Linus Torvalds has approved the removal of the obsolete EFS and FreeVxFS file-systems, marking a shift away from legacy Unix compatibility. These file-systems, used by SGI's IRIX and HP-UX respectively, have seen little to no use in modern computing environments. The FreeVxFS driver, in particular, has had only one known user and contributor in the past 15 years, making its removal a logical step.
On the flip side, Linux 7.3 sees the introduction of FailFS, a new pseudo file-system designed to complement NULLFS. FailFS is engineered to fail every operation by returning the EOPNOTSUPP error code, effectively allowing userspace to completely shed its file-system state. This is particularly useful for processes that need to anchor every path lookup at an explicit file descriptor, ensuring that operations like chrooting become more secure and manageable. The addition of FailFS is accompanied by a new fchroot() system call, which elevates chrooting via a file descriptor to a first-class operation.
In addition to these file system changes, Linux 7.3 brings performance improvements in handling virtual RAM (vRAM) overcommitment, enhancing stability for gaming applications. As detailed by pixelcluster's GPU blog, this update allows games to perform more stably even when they demand more vRAM than physically available. By allowing drivers to overcommit vRAM, the kernel can manage memory more effectively, preventing crashes and maintaining playable frame rates.
Linux engineers and sysadmins should take note of these updates in version 7.3, as they offer both a cleaner kernel environment by removing unused file-systems and improved performance for vRAM-intensive applications. The changes are a boon for those managing Linux systems in gaming or high-performance computing environments.
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