Upgrading your Linux kernel the very first time could be a little bit daunting. This article aims to help those doing it for the first time. You’ll notice that its much easier than you think. Some 18 years ago when I started using Linux, upgrading the kernel involved a ton of editing and command line commands that was given to me by some self proclaimed hacker on IRC that I scribbled on my green Linux notebook.
With Linux gaining more and more popularity and targeting advanced and new users alike, the process of upgrading the kernel has become so simple. As always, upgrading a kernel can be tricky, so always backup your data before continuing.
Step one: Visit http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline.
Step two: You’ll see a bunch of files. We’re only interested in those with linux-headers and linux-image.
Step three: Download the files below, and install them in the following order:
- Install the linux-headers file that ends with all.deb.
- Install the linux-headers file that ends with i386.deb or amd64.deb depending upon what architecture you are using.
- Install the linux-image file that ends with i386.deb or amd64.deb again depending on what architecture you are using.
Once you’re done installing, reboot your system and you’ll be using your new kernel. Open up a terminal and type uname -r and you’ll see your new kernel version.
