The Linux Kernel 5.15 LTS has been released, and below we will show you how to install it on Ubuntu or Linux Mint distributions in a few easy steps.
Linux Kernel 5.15 was released on October 31, 2021 and brings some interesting new features, such as a new application NTFS file system that doesn't require you to use third-party software like NTFS-3G for full NTFS disk management.
It also brings some new features for users of Btrfs and XFS file systems, support for Nintendo Wii consoles, support for multicast per VLAN, in-kernel SMB server, new driver wirelessy LAN r8188eu Realtek to replace the old driver rtl8188eu, and many more.
Best of all, the Linux Kernel 5.15 is in the LTS kernel series (Long Term Support), and will be supported for at least two years.
And now the eternal question… why upgrade the Linux kernel? If the possibilities mentioned above do not excite you, do not do it.
But if you need support for existing or new hardware supported by Linux Kernel 5.15 or if you are having hardware issues with your current kernel version, why not give it a try.
Warning! Be aware that Linux Kernel 5.15 has just been released and may not be supported by all software programs or drivers, such as the proprietary NVIDIA graphics driver. Therefore, if you are using the NVIDIA GPU for gaming or anything else, you will have to wait until NVIDIA starts supporting the Linux Kernel 5.15.
Below we will use the Ubuntu kernel PPA file offered by the Ubuntu developers. These kernel packages are unsigned, which means they cannot be installed on UEFI/Secure Boot. Therefore, you will need to disable Secure Boot first to install the 5.15 kernel.
Installation is very easy. Just download Linux 5.15 in a folder. Here are the links for 64-bit systems, but you can also install the Linux 5.15 kernel on ARM64, s390x and ppc64el systems.
https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.15/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-5.15.0-051500-generic_5.15.0-051500.202110312130_amd64.deb
https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.15/amd64/linux-modules-5.15.0-051500-generic_5.15.0-051500.202110312130_amd64.deb
Open a terminal in the folder where you downloaded the new kernel packages by right-clicking and selecting "Open in Terminal". Make sure you have the correct DEB packages in the folder and run the following command.
sudo dpkg -i *.debThe command will install the Linux Kernel 5.15. You will have to wait until the installation process is complete and then you will have to restart your computer.
If you want to remove the Linux 5.15 kernel from your system, just remove the packages you have installed using the Synaptic Package easy route Managers.
