Install Pre-Built Upstream Kernels in Ubuntu

April 24, 2016

Here's how to really quickly install a different upstream kernel version built by Ubuntu with their kernel configuration. If you're interested in building your own modified kernel for Ubuntu, then check that out instead.

Download the 3 or 4 packages for the stable kernel you want to target from http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/.

For my example, I'm going with

  • linux-headers-4.5.2-040502_4.5.2-040502.201604200335_all.deb
  • linux-headers-4.5.2-040502-generic_4.5.2-040502.201604200335_amd64.deb
  • linux-image-4.5.2-040502-generic_4.5.2-040502.201604200335_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i linux-*.deb 
sudo reboot now
When you come back up, run 
uname -r
to make sure you're running the kernel version you specified.

You can find more information about using Ubuntu's mainline builds.

It's worth noting...
These kernels are not supported and are not appropriate for production use.

I'd take that with a grain of salt. Especially when the ones they officially include in LTS releases can have bugs as well. If you know you have a kernel problem, then address it with a kernel fix.

It's worth noting that even though you can install and run a different kernel in Ubuntu, your official kernel is still sitting there and will be upgraded by the automatic software updater in Ubuntu. This is expected, and even desirable behavior, should you need to fallback to it. However, that won't impact you running your shinny new, or even old and stable, kernel.

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