How to upgrade Ubuntu including kernel to the latest stable release

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In this article, I will show you how to upgrade your Ubuntu 20.04. As a bonus, we will also update kernel to the latest stable version 5.7.15 or mainline 5.8.1, which contains the following improvements:

  • WireGuard Support
  • New processor cooling driver
  • USB4 support
  • Amazon Echo Support
  • Improved hardware support
  • VirtualBox Folder Sharing
  • F2FS data compression using LZO/LZ4

And here is a short list of what's new in Ubuntu 20.04:

  • Best and fastest GNOME 3.36 desktop with dark theme support
  • Improved support for 4K monitors and zoom
  • New themes and visual settings
  • Quick install, fast boot
  • Global do not disturb
  • Best Thunderbolt Support
  • Best support for nVidia graphics cards

To upgrade Ubuntu to the latest stable release 20.04, follow these steps:

Preparation

  • Update packages list
    sudo apt-get update
  • Upgrade packages
    sudo apt-get upgrade
  • Install update-manager-core package
    sudo apt-get install update-manager-core

Upgrade Ubuntu

  • Upgrade distro
    sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
  • Upgrade Ubuntu
    sudo do-release-upgrade

Upgrade kernel

  • Change current directory to /tmp
    cd /tmp
  • Download latest stable kernel from 5.7.x branch
    wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.7.15/amd64/linux-headers-5.7.15-050715_5.7.15-050715.202008111432_all.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.7.15/amd64/linux-headers-5.7.15-050715-generic_5.7.15-050715.202008111432_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.7.15/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-5.7.15-050715-generic_5.7.15-050715.202008111432_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.7.15/amd64/linux-modules-5.7.15-050715-generic_5.7.15-050715.202008111432_amd64.deb
  • Or 5.8.x branch
    wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.8.1/amd64/linux-headers-5.8.1-050801_5.8.1-050801.202008111432_all.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.8.1/amd64/linux-headers-5.8.1-050801-generic_5.8.1-050801.202008111432_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.8.1/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-5.8.1-050801-generic_5.8.1-050801.202008111432_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.8.1/amd64/linux-modules-5.8.1-050801-generic_5.8.1-050801.202008111432_amd64.deb
  • Install new kernel
    sudo dpkg -i *.deb
  • Reboot the system
    sudo shutdown -r now

Finishing up

  • Update packages list
    sudo apt-get update
  • Upgrade packages
    sudo apt-get upgrade
  • Reboot the system if needed
    sudo shutdown -r now
  • Check the OS distro
    lsb_release -a
  • Check kernel version
    uname -r

That's it, now you should be running on the latest best-looking Ubuntu 20.04 and most secure Linux Kernel.