Update:
Starting with Ukuu version 19.01, the developer changed the Ukuu application to a closed-source model and introduced a paid licensing system. So you need to buy a license to use the Ukuu app and get future updates. If you're looking for an free alternative, Mainline Kernels might be a good choice.
In this brief, I will explain how to install and upgrade latest Linux Kernel in Ubuntu using a tool called "Ubuntu Kernel Upgrade Utility", shortly Ukuu. This guide is tested on Ubuntu 16.10 desktop, but the same steps should work on other Ubuntu versions and Ubuntu derivatives such as Linux Mint, Elementary OS etc.
Table of Contents
What is Ukuu?
Ubuntu Kernel Upgrade Utility, shortly Ukuu, allows you to install and upgrade Linux kernel in Ubuntu and its variants. Ukuu is developed and maintained by Tony George.
It fetches the latest main line Linux kernel from kernel.ubuntu.com, and install it automatically in your Ubuntu. Whenever a new Kernel update is available, it will notify you.
Ukuu is a Gtk GUI and command line tool, so it will work on both Desktop and Server editions.
Install Ukuu in Ubuntu
Open up your Terminal and run the following command to add the PPA for Ukuu:
$ sudo apt-add-repository -y ppa:teejee2008/ppa
Update the sources list:
$ sudo apt-get update
Finally, Install Ukuu using command:
$ sudo apt-get install ukuu
Install And Upgrade Linux Kernel using Ukuu in Ubuntu
Once installed, launch Ukuu by entering the following command on your Terminal window.
For Ubuntu desktop (GUI):
$ sudo ukuu-gtk
For Ubuntu server (CLI):
$ sudo ukuu
The default interface of Ukuu will look like below.
Ukuu default interface
As you see above, Ukuu shows the latest available Linux kernel on the top, installed and currently running kernel, and other older kernels.
To install a Kernel, just select it from the list and hit Install button on the bottom.
Install And Upgrade Linux Kernel using Ukuu in Ubuntu
A new command line window will open and Ukuu will start to download and install the selected Kernel. Once the new Kernel installed, reboot and log in with the newly installed Kernel.
In the Settings section of Ukuu, you can define various options such as,
- Notifying when a major release is available
- Notifying when a point release is available
- Define the time interval for checking new Linux Kernel etc.
Ukuu settings
Ukku not only simplifies the process of manually downloading and installing new Kernels, but also helps us to safely remove the unnecessary Kernels which are outdated. To remove an old Kernel, select it and hit Remove button at the bottom.
When a new Kernel is available in the mainline Kernel website, Ukuu will notify you and install it automatically on your Ubuntu system.
Reference:
7 comments
Where does it install the kernel from? Official kernel sources or unofficial (and hence suspect) 3rd party sources? Looks good, but could be a trojan horse and security issue.
It installs Kernel from http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/.
This is a PPA though. Who is the publisher of this ppa? Canonical or an unaffiliated individual which means that it could still be dangerous.
What happened to the Debian package? Clicked on it and Dropbox said ‘No longer available’. Would it be coming back?
It seems the developer has removed all files from Dropbox. I am not sure the developer will share it on dropbox. please contact the developer. However, You can still install it using PPA.
Yeah, I try not to install PPAs on my Debian system. Perhaps I’ll try building from source, if I can find it.
Cool Utility, Except I prefer a low latency Kernels and they don’t show up in the list, how do you add those as well.