How To Install Kernel 6.14 RC1 On Ubuntu, Debian And Derivative Systems

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

According to this article, important fixes and enhancements have been implemented in Kernel 6.14 RC1.

Key Highlights of Kernel 6.14 RC1:

• Smaller Merge Window: Linus Torvalds noted that this merge window is notably smaller than usual, likely due to reduced development activity during the holiday season.
• Substantial Code Changes: Despite its smaller size, the release encompasses significant updates, including approximately half a million lines of code changes and over 10,000 commits, with around 9,300 being non-merge commits.
• Architecture Updates: Notable improvements include updates to RISC-V and ARM architecture platforms, expanding hardware support.

In this guide we will be installing Kernel 6.14 RC1, which has been released a while go.

Check your current kernel version:

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

uname -r

How to install Kernel 6.14 RC1 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 6.14 RC1 Packages

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

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.14-rc1/amd64/linux-headers-6.14.0-061400rc1-generic_6.14.0-061400rc1.202502030035_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.14-rc1/amd64/linux-headers-6.14.0-061400rc1_6.14.0-061400rc1.202502030035_all.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.14-rc1/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-6.14.0-061400rc1-generic_6.14.0-061400rc1.202502030035_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.14-rc1/amd64/linux-modules-6.14.0-061400rc1-generic_6.14.0-061400rc1.202502030035_amd64.deb

Step 3: Install the New Kernel

Install the downloaded packages using dpkg:

sudo dpkg -i linux-headers-6.14*.deb linux-modules-6.14*.deb linux-image-6.14*.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 6.14 RC1.

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 6.14 RC1.
  • 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 MenuRestart your system and hold Shift or Esc to enter the GRUB boot menu.
• Select Advanced options for UbuntuChoose an older kernel version and boot into it.
• Remove Kernel 6.14 RC1 (if desired)If you prefer to remove the new kernel permanently, run:

sudo apt remove linux-headers-6.14* linux-modules-6.14* linux-image-6.14*
sudo update-grub
sudo reboot

Conclusion

Linux Kernel 6.14-rc1 marks the beginning of a new development cycle with a slightly smaller merge window than usual, likely due to the holiday season. Despite this, the release includes significant changes, with over half a million lines of code modified and thousands of commits improving various subsystems.

Key enhancements in this release focus on architecture updates, particularly for RISC-V and ARM, expanding hardware compatibility and performance. While the changes are incremental rather than groundbreaking, they reflect the continuous evolution of the Linux kernel, driven by contributions from developers worldwide.

As the first release candidate, Linux 6.14-rc1 sets the stage for further refinements in the coming weeks.