How to install Linux Kernel 5.8 on Ubuntu 20.04?

Upgrading the Linux Kernel can be a beneficial task, but it is always optional. Recently we talked about the Linux Kernel 5.8 as a great event for everyone because of its incredible new features. So, in this post, we will show you how to install Linux Kernel 5.8 on Ubuntu 20.04

Although many people like to update their kernel frequently, the truth is that it is not mandatory. The Linux Kernel has been stable for a long time and in Ubuntu 20.04 there is a mature and recent version of it. However, for newer hardware, it can be convenient.

Before we start I want to warn you that if your system is stable and you don’t have any hardware problems, you should be careful when using another kernel. If, on the other hand, you have some hardware failures, this may be a solution.

On the other hand, I do not recommend you to upgrade the Linux kernel in production environments or heavy use equipment.

So, let’s get started.

Installing Kernel Linux 5.8 on Ubuntu 20.04

The PPA Kernel Ubuntu team compiles and packages the kernel for us. Then, we have to download these files and install them on our system.

The problem with this method is that we have to do it manually. But it can also be useful if we don’t want to add a PPA and just try it out.

Anyway, we have to download these files and then install them.

First, open a terminal and check the current version of the Ubuntu 20.04 kernel

:~$ uname -r
5.4.0-33-generic

As you can see Ubuntu 20.04 incorporates version 5.4 of the Linux kernel.

Now create a folder to download the necessary files:

:~$ mkdir kernel
:~$ cd kernel

And proceed to start the download using wget. First, with the headers file:

:~$ wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.8/amd64/linux-headers-5.8.0-050800_5.8.0-050800.202008022230_all.deb -O headers.deb

Then follow the image of the Kernel:

:~$ wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.8/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-5.8.0-050800-generic_5.8.0-050800.202008022230_amd64.deb -O image.deb

And finally, download the Kernel modules:

:~$ wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.8/amd64/linux-modules-5.8.0-050800-generic_5.8.0-050800.202008022230_amd64.deb -O module.deb

Once the download of the 3 files is finished, we proceed to install them with APT.

:~$ sudo apt install ./*.deb

Now all that’s left is to reboot the system.

When the system boots, check the version of the Linux kernel you have installed:

:~$ uname -r
5.8.0-050800-generic

Now yes, the Linux Kernel 5.8 is installed on Ubuntu 20.04

Remember if the system is ok, do not upgrade the kernel.

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