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darktable 5.4.1 is a maintenance release, not a major feature update. Announced on February 5, 2026, it corrects specific issues with multi-preset exports, overwrite behavior, RAW-specific presets, and color casts in Bayer dual demosaicers. The release notes list no new features or general performance improvements.
It may be worth installing if you use the 5.4 series and have encountered one of those problems. But 5.4.1 is no longer the latest stable release: the darktable project lists 5.6.0 as current. Back up your library and configuration before changing versions, particularly if you may need to return to an older release.
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What is darktable 5.4.1?
darktable is an open-source photography workflow application for organizing images, developing RAW files non-destructively, and exporting finished photos. Its lighttable is used for image management, while the darkroom provides editing tools. Version 5.4.1 is a point release in the 5.4 series: it maintains that version line with targeted corrections rather than introducing a new workflow or major feature set.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The project announced 5.4.1 on February 5, 2026. Its official release notes identify the release tag as release-5.4.1 and commit c3f96ca.
What changed in 5.4.1?
The fixes matter most when they intersect with a particular export setup, preset, camera sensor and demosaicing method. They are not a blanket improvement to every image or every RAW file.
| Area | Correction | Who is most likely to notice |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-preset export | Corrected scaling-factor handling and the application of export settings when exporting with multiple presets. | Photographers who export the same images in several sizes or formats using multiple presets. |
| Export overwrite | Corrected how the overwrite option is handled when changed during an export. | Users who replace existing output files and adjust overwrite behavior during a job. |
| Automatic presets | Fixed a RAW-specific auto-applied preset being applied to non-RAW images. | Users with mixed RAW and JPEG collections or automatic camera-specific presets. |
| Bayer demosaicing | Fixed subtle color casts in Bayer dual demosaicers. | Users processing affected Bayer-sensor images with one of the dual demosaicing methods. |
| AgX documentation | Restored the help URL for the AgX module, linking to its online documentation. | Users looking for help on that module from within darktable. |
| RustiCL build | Aligned RustiCL’s default optimizing compiler flags with those used on other platforms. | Primarily source builders and users of the Rust-based OpenCL implementation. |
The demosaicing correction is deliberately specific: whether you see a difference depends on the sensor pattern, the demosaicing method, the image and its metadata. It does not mean that 5.4.1 improves color for every camera. Likewise, the export fixes do not promise to resolve unrelated export problems.
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Were the bug fixes “extensive”?
The project reported 124 commits across darktable and RawSpeed, 74 pull requests and 25 closed issues since 5.4.0. Those figures describe development activity, not the number of changes a user will encounter. The published 5.4.1 changelog is comparatively short and focused; it has no populated sections for new features, UI or UX improvements, or performance improvements. “Targeted maintenance fixes” is a more precise description than suggesting a broad overhaul.
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Should you install 5.4.1?
- Consider it if you need to stay on 5.4. It may address the specific multi-preset export, overwrite, RAW-preset or Bayer dual-demosaicing behavior listed above.
- It may be the practical option if your Linux distribution provides 5.4.1 but not a newer release. Distribution packages can lag behind upstream and can differ in packaging and enabled build features.
- For a new installation or the newest upstream stable release, consider 5.6.0. The project lists 5.6.0 as the current stable version. It is a later version line, so move only after checking your workflow and making a backup.
Version availability and support can differ between upstream downloads and distribution repositories. A newer release may bring later fixes and camera support, but no version guarantees compatibility with every camera or RAW variant. If a specific file still fails, note the darktable version, operating system, camera model, RAW file extension and where your build came from before seeking help.
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Download options and file checks
The official 5.4.1 release offered these packages:
- Windows 64-bit:
darktable-5.4.1-win64.exe - macOS Apple Silicon:
darktable-5.4.1-arm64.dmg - macOS Intel:
darktable-5.4.1-x86_64.dmg - Linux x86_64 AppImage:
Darktable-5.4.1-x86_64.AppImage - Source archive:
darktable-5.4.1.tar.xz
Use the official release page or the project’s official installation guidance, not an unofficial download mirror. Linux users can also check their distribution’s repositories or Flatpak availability; the version and build options may differ. If building from source, the announcement directs users to the project’s .tar.xz archive rather than GitHub’s autogenerated source archive.
For an integrity check, compare the downloaded file’s SHA-256 checksum with the value published in the official announcement. For example, the listed checksum for the Windows installer is df3b9f2f9f1375b9166c2fb2f1503455c3ceaa44c702b8a9144419e65e0cfdf9. Always check the official page for the checksum matching your exact package.
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Back up before upgrading
The project warns that when moving from the 5.2 series, the upgraded library and configuration will no longer be usable with darktable 5.2. Do not assume you can install 5.2 again and open the upgraded library without trouble. The same prudent approach applies when moving between version lines: keep a backup and do not let an older release modify the only copy of a newer library.
Before installing, make a copy of:
- Your darktable library or database and configuration directory. On many Linux installations the configuration directory is
~/.config/darktable; its location can differ by operating system and installation. - Your image
.XMPsidecar files, which may contain editing history and metadata. - The original RAW files and any finished exports you cannot readily recreate.
Verify that your backup is accessible before launching the new version. Keep it unchanged while you test the upgrade.
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If a problem remains
5.4.1 fixes particular bugs; it does not establish universal RAW compatibility. Camera support can depend on the camera model, RAW variant, metadata and the RAW decoding components included in a build. OpenCL behavior also depends on hardware, drivers and build configuration; the RustiCL compiler-flags correction is not a promise of faster processing on every system.
If you encounter a catalog or configuration problem after upgrading, stop using the upgraded library as your only copy. Preserve the original database, configuration, sidecars and RAW files. Reinstall the version you intend to use, restore a backup or test with a copy of the library, and try a small set of representative images before resuming a full workflow. For a camera-specific failure, retain a sample file and relevant metadata where possible so the issue can be reproduced.
Reports around the 5.4.1 period include discussions of compressed Fuji RAF decoding, older Olympus ORF files and GIMP 3.2 integration. These are examples of separate, camera- or integration-specific issues; they should not be taken as problems that 5.4.1 fixed or caused. See the relevant Fuji RAF, Olympus ORF and GIMP integration issue discussions for their reported context.
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