How To Install Kernel 6.13 RC1 On Ubuntu, Debian And Derivative Systems

The latest build of the Kernel 6.13 is Kernel 6.13 RC3, but unfortunately, that was “failed to build”, so the latest we can really use and test is Kernel 6.13 RC1.

In this guide we will be installing Kernel 6.13 RC1, which has been released a while go, being announced by Linus Torvalds himself on the 6th of December.

Some of the new features introduced with Kernel 6.13 RC1:

support to run linux in a protected VM (realm)
amd-pstate cpufreq is now used by default on some new AMD Epyc CPUs
support for the MIPI DisCo 2.0 specification in the SoundWire subsystem has been added
The F2FS FS has received a device aliasing feature
real-computing capabilities for the LoongArch has been added
support for Vexia EDU ATLA 10 and Surface Pro 9 5G tablets, Adreno A663 graphics, Allwinner H616, AMD ACP 6.3, Qualcomm SM8750, and RealTek RT721 audio chips, NT36672A touchscreen, AMD I3C controller, NVIDIA Mellanox “MLX5” network devices and others.

Check your current kernel version:

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

uname -r

This will display the kernel version currently in use.

How to install Kernel 6.13 RC1 on Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Debian and Derivative systems (amd64/x86_64):

Step 1: Update Your System

The apt update && apt upgrade command is essential for package management in Ubuntu and other Debian-based Linux distributions. It ensures that your system has the latest software updates and security patches, preventing compatibility issues and vulnerabilities. The && operator allows both commands to run in sequence, meaning apt upgrade executes only if apt update completes successfully.

What Does apt update Do?

The apt update command refreshes the list of available packages. It does not download or install updates but instead queries the configured repositories to fetch the latest package versions. Running this command ensures that the system is aware of the newest software versions before installation or updates.

What Does apt upgrade Do?

The apt upgrade command installs the latest available versions of the installed packages. It updates software while keeping dependencies intact, ensuring a smooth upgrade process. However, it does not remove or install new packages. If an update requires changes that involve removing or replacing packages, apt full-upgrade may be needed.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Please don’t do this on production systems, as you may break things!

Step 2: Download the Kernel 6.13 RC1 Packages

cd /tmp
wget https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.13-rc1/amd64/linux-headers-6.13.0-061300rc1-generic_6.13.0-061300rc1.202412012327_amd64.deb
wget https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.13-rc1/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-6.13.0-061300rc1-generic_6.13.0-061300rc1.202412012327_amd64.deb
wget https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.13-rc1/amd64/linux-modules-6.13.0-061300rc1-generic_6.13.0-061300rc1.202412012327_amd64.deb
wget https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.13-rc1/amd64/linux-headers-6.13.0-061300rc1_6.13.0-061300rc1.202412012327_all.deb

Step 3: Install the New Kernel

Use dpkg to install the downloaded packages:

cd /tmp
sudo apt install ./linux*.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

This scans the system for installed kernels and updates the GRUB bootloader menu accordingly.

Verify GRUB Configuration

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

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

This should list all available kernels, including Kernel 6.13.

Reboot the System

Restart your computer to apply the changes:

sudo reboot

Select the New Kernel (if needed)

In some cases, GRUB may not automatically boot into the new kernel. If you need to 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 6.13 RC1.
Press Enter to boot.

Verifying the Installed Kernel

After rebooting, confirm the new kernel version:

uname -r

If it displays 6.13 RC1, the installation was successful.

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 6.13 RC1 If you prefer to remove the new kernel permanently, run:

sudo apt remove --autoremove linux-headers-6.13*rc1*.deb linux-image-unsigned-6.13*rc1*.deb linux-modules-6.13*rc1*.deb
sudo update-grub
sudo reboot

This is it! Till next time.