Ubuntu users can now install Linux 6.7, the most recent stable kernel, on their computers by using Canonical’s Ubuntu Mainline Kernel PPA archive. Here’s a brief instruction on utilising the command line or the GUI to accomplish it.
On January 7th, 2024, the Linux kernel 6.7 was released. It includes several enhancements to the Btrfs file system, support for NVIDIA’s GSP firmware, the implementation of the bcachefs file system, and a plethora of new and updated drivers for improved hardware support.
Now, you may install Linux kernel 6.7 on your Ubuntu computer from the official Ubuntu Mainline Kernel Archive if you require hardware support or if you simply wish to use the most recent kernel version. As of right now, packages are available for the following architectures: IBM System z (s390x), PowerPC 64-bit Little Endian (ppc64el), ARMhf, and amd64 (x86_64).
I must, however, caution you that the Ubuntu Kernel Team does not provide any warranty for these kernels. They will not be held accountable for any harm these kernels may cause as a result of incorrect installation or use, nor will they provide support for these kernels in the event that you run into problems. Furthermore, keep in mind that these kernels aren’t signed, thus in order to install them, you’ll need to turn off Secure Boot.
Method 1: Use the “Mainline Kernels” utility to install Linux kernel 6.7 on Ubuntu.
Using a graphical application called Mainline Kernels, which you can install from this PPA by entering the commands below in the Terminal programme, is the simplest way to install Linux kernel 6.7 on your Ubuntu machine. To install the Mainline Kernels tool, launch the Terminal application and type the following commands:
Add-apt-repository ppa:cappelikan/ppa with sudo
sudo apt-upgrade and sudo apt-updating
apt install -y mainline with sudo
You may launch the Mainline Kernels programme from your Ubuntu system’s applications menu after it has been installed. The latest available version of the kernel, 6.7.1, should be at the top of the list after the programme swiftly searches Canonical’s Ubuntu Mainline Kernel PPA archive for new releases.
To install Linux kernel 6.7 on your Ubuntu computer, select the “Linux kernel 6.7.1” entry from the list and then click the large “Install” button on the right. Restart your computer after the installation is finished.
That’s all; your Ubuntu computer is now running Linux kernel 6.7. Using an Ubuntu 23.10 (Mantic Minotaur) system, I tested this way, and everything went perfectly.
Using this method has the benefit of automatically downloading new kernel versions (such as Linux 6.7.2, 6.7.3, etc.) as soon as they are made available upstream. Better yet, if you activate the option in the utility’s notifications settings, the Mainline Kernels tool may notify you when new Linux kernel versions are available.
Method 2: Use the CLI to install Linux kernel 6.7 on Ubuntu
For knowledgeable users with experience who prefer not to utilise the Mainline Kernels tool from the first way above, the second method is advised. In the unlikely event that the Ubuntu Mainline Kernel PPA archive’s most recent kernels are not downloaded by the Mainline Kernels programme, this technique can also be used as a backup.
This method suggests that you will need to use the command line to manually download and install the kernel packages for your particular architecture from the official Ubuntu mainline kernel PPA archive for Linux kernel 6.7.
To install Linux kernel 6.7 on an AMD64 64
-bit system, for instance, you will need to obtain the packages listed below from the Ubuntu Mainline Kernel PPA archive. Get the packages and create a folder in your home directory.
After downloading each kernel package to its corresponding folder, you can use the sudo dpkg -i *.deb command in the Terminal application or from a virtual terminal to install them all at once. This is presuming you have already gone to the folder containing the kernel packages.
Once the installation is finished, restart your computer.
Reverting to the installed kernel for Ubuntu or another
In case Linux kernel 6.7 presents problems for you and you wish to revert to the default kernel of Ubuntu or another installed kernel on your system, you can access the “Advanced options” boot entry by pressing the Esc key during computer bootup. From there, you can choose a different kernel version from the list of available kernels.