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I wish to know the default kernel version that comes with Ubuntu 16.04.6

Zanna
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Ravikumar Kothakota
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1 Answers1

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There are two different kernels that could be seen as 'default' for Ubuntu 16.04 LTS (with or without HWE enabled).

For prior releases upgraded & 16.04 & 16.04.1 installs - no HWE (4.4)

If a system was installed with Ubuntu 16.04 LTS or Ubuntu 16.04.1 LTS install media, or it was an older system upgraded to 16.04 (ie. Ubuntu 15.10 or Ubuntu 14.04 LTS release-upgraded to 16.04) then HWE is disabled by default and kernel is 4.4. This of course can be changed by enabling HWE (default is off for upgrades or <16.04.2 media installs)

For later installs with Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTS or later media - HWE & 4.15

If the Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTS or later media was used for installation, then 4.15 is the default kernel.

For more information on HWE or hardware enablement stack, see https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/LTSEnablementStack

If your Ubuntu 16.04.6 system was installed with 16.04.6 media then HWE is enabled and you'll be using 4.15. If however a 16.04.1 or older install media was used; and system fully-upgraded so it reports 16.04.6 you'll only have the 4.4 kernel. The kernel used by a 16.04.6 system thus depends on install media used, OR if HWE was enabled post-install.

guiverc
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  • If you were using Ubuntu 14.04 LTS with HWE enabled, I'm not sure if the HWE enabled survives release-upgrade, so it could be the 4.4 kernel on upgrade will get upgraded as to eventually reach 4.15. (HWE can't be enabled for non-LTS or 15.10 upgrades) – guiverc Oct 29 '19 at 06:35