How To Install Kernel 6.12.20 On Ubuntu, Debian And Derivative Systems

The Linux kernel is the core component of any Linux operating system, managing hardware resources and system processes.

The latest Kernel from the 6.12 series is Kernel 6.12.20, which has been recently released, coming with a few changes only:

Real-Time Support Enhancements – Improved real-time support for x86/x86_64, RISC-V, and ARM64 architectures, enhancing the kernel’s responsiveness and performance in time-critical operations.
User-Space Scheduler Extensions – Added new functionalities that improve user-space task scheduling, allowing better control and allocation of system resources.
Enhanced Error Debugging with QR Codes – Integrated QR code display for DRM (Direct Rendering Manager) messages in kernel panic situations, making it easier to debug and diagnose critical system errors.
Data Integrity Fixes – Fixed a bug in fs/netfs/read_collect that prevented data corruption by addressing improper handling of multiple sub-requests, improving overall file system stability.

In this guide we will be installing Kernel 6.12.20, which has been released a while go, bringing some fixes and enhancements only.

Check your current kernel version:

Before proceeding with the installation, verify your current kernel version by running:

uname -r

How to install Kernel 6.12.20 on Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Debian, and derivative systems (amd64/x86_64):

Step 1: Update Your System

Run the following commands to ensure your system is up to date:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

This will update your package list and upgrade all installed packages to their latest versions.

What Does apt update Do?
This command updates the package list to reflect the latest versions available from your repositories.
What Does apt upgrade Do?
It upgrades all the packages that have new versions available while keeping existing dependencies intact.

Step 2: Download the Kernel 6.12.20 Packages

Download the necessary kernel packages from the official Ubuntu repositories or the kernel website:

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.12.20/amd64/linux-headers-6.12.20-061220-generic_6.12.20-061220.202503222047_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.12.20/amd64/linux-headers-6.12.20-061220_6.12.20-061220.202503222047_all.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.12.20/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-6.12.20-061220-generic_6.12.20-061220.202503222047_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.12.20/amd64/linux-modules-6.12.20-061220-generic_6.12.20-061220.202503222047_amd64.deb

Step 3: Install the New Kernel

Install the downloaded packages using dpkg:

sudo dpkg -i linux-headers-6.12*.deb linux-modules-6.12*.deb linux-image-6.12*.deb

Step 4: Update GRUB and Reboot

Once the kernel installation is complete, update GRUB to ensure the new kernel is recognized:

Regenerate the GRUB Configuration

Run the following command to update GRUB with the latest installed kernel:

sudo update-grub

Verify GRUB Configuration

To confirm that the new kernel has been detected, check the GRUB configuration:

cat /boot/grub/grub.cfg | grep 'menuentry'

This should list all available kernels, including Kernel 6.12.20.

Reboot the System

Restart your computer to apply the changes:

sudo reboot

Select the New Kernel (if needed)If the system doesn’t automatically boot into the new kernel, you can manually select it:
- Hold Shift or Esc during boot to access the GRUB menu.
- Navigate to Advanced options for Ubuntu.
- Choose the entry with Kernel 6.12.19Kernel 6.12.20.
- Press Enter to boot.

Verifying the Installed Kernel

After rebooting, confirm the new kernel version:

uname -r

Rolling Back to a Previous Kernel

If you encounter issues with the new kernel, you can revert to an older version:

Reboot and Access the GRUB Menu -Restart your system and hold Shift or Esc to enter the GRUB boot menu.
Select Advanced options for Ubuntu – Choose an older kernel version and boot into it.
Remove Kernel 6.12.20 (if desired) – If you prefer to remove the new kernel permanently, run:

sudo apt remove linux-headers-6.12* linux-modules-6.12* linux-image-6.12*
sudo update-grub
sudo reboot

Conclusion

Linux Kernel 6.12.20 brings a well-rounded set of enhancements focused on improving performance, real-time responsiveness, and system stability. One of the standout features is the expanded real-time support for x86/x86_64, RISC-V, and ARM64 architectures, which makes the kernel better suited for time-sensitive applications and workloads. This improvement enhances responsiveness and reduces latency, benefiting users who rely on real-time computing, such as those in embedded systems, IoT, and multimedia applications.

Another key area of improvement lies in the user-space scheduler, which now offers extended functionalities to improve resource allocation and task management. This refinement allows for more efficient handling of processes, which can boost overall system performance, especially on multi-threaded or resource-heavy workloads. These changes provide users with better control over task scheduling and ensure that processes run more smoothly, particularly in high-demand environments.

Additionally, Linux Kernel 6.12.20 introduces innovative debugging capabilities by displaying QR codes during kernel panics. This feature simplifies troubleshooting by allowing users to quickly access relevant error information through a scan, improving diagnostic efficiency. Combined with critical bug fixes, such as the one that addresses data handling in fs/netfs/read_collect to prevent corruption, the kernel update enhances overall reliability. With these practical improvements, Linux Kernel 6.12.20 is a significant release aimed at making systems faster, more stable, and easier to debug.