Canonical Announce Major Ubuntu Kernel Change

Canonical has announced a significant change in its kernel selection process for future Ubuntu releases, implementing an "aggressive kernel version commitment policy." This new approach will ensure that upcoming Ubuntu versions will ship with the latest upstream Linux kernel available at the time of the release, even if it is still in Release Candidate (RC) status. Previously, Ubuntu releases included the most recent stable kernel at the time of the kernel freeze, which often meant that users missed out on the latest features and hardware support. For instance, Ubuntu 23.10 shipped with Linux 6.5, while Linux 6.6 became stable shortly after. Under the new policy, if a kernel is still in RC status at the time of release, Canonical will proceed with it, accepting the risks associated with potential last-minute issues. However, once the kernel stabilizes, Canonical will package and distribute updates. This change is expected to benefit users of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS by allowing newer kernel versions from interim releases to be back-ported, enhancing overall system performance and compatibility.

- Canonical will ship the latest upstream kernel, even if in Release Candidate status, for future Ubuntu releases.

- The new policy aims to provide users with the latest features and hardware support.

- Ubuntu 24.10 will be the first release to implement this kernel selection change.

- Users will receive updates once the kernel stabilizes post-release.

- The change is designed to enhance compatibility for both home users and businesses.