How to upgrade Ubuntu to 25.04 and kernel to latest version

Feeling stuck in an older version of Ubuntu? Yearning for the latest features and security updates? Don't let the upgrade process hold you back! This guide empowers you to conquer the transition to the newest version, Ubuntu 25.04, and upgrade your kernel to the latest 6.15 kernel.

Upgrading your Ubuntu system is about more than just keeping up with the Joneses. It unlocks a treasure trove of benefits: access to cutting-edge features, improved performance, and most importantly, enhanced security against ever-evolving threats. Ready to experience the best of Ubuntu, optimized and protected?

This comprehensive guide unveils the secrets to a seamless upgrade process for any version of Ubuntu to the latest release. We'll equip you with the knowledge to navigate the upgrade with confidence, highlight potential pitfalls, and even walk you through the steps for installing the bleeding-edge 6.16 kernel.

Preparation

1. Update packages list
   sudo apt-get update
2. Upgrade packages
   sudo apt-get upgrade
3. Install update-manager-core package
   sudo apt-get install update-manager-core

Upgrade Ubuntu to 24.04

1. Upgrade distro
   sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
2. Update Ubuntu to the latest LTS release

   Run the following command until you get your Ubuntu to version 24.04:

   sudo do-release-upgrade -d
3. Change default branch from lts to normal

   Once you update your Ubuntu to 24.04, the latest LTS version, you need to tell the update manager to get the newest short-term supported Ubuntu 25.04. But remember to back up all your important files in advance, especially if you are going to upgrade your live pc, laptop, or server. But better to test the upgrade on a VM first. The main rule - the fewer versions you are skipping the soother the upgrade process will be, so if you would like to upgrade directly from say 20.04 to 25.04 the process most likely will fail or you will get a bunch of errors and need to fix broken packages and re-run the upgrade again. So I told you - better be safe than sorry, and now let`s move on.

   sudo sed -i 's/lts/normal/g' /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades
4. Change default distro from your current
   • 24.04 - noble (latest LTS)
   • 24.10 - oracular
   • 25.04 - plucky (latest)
   • 25.10 - questing (development branch)

   in the example below, we are upgrading from Ubuntu 24.04 (noble) to 25.04 (plucky)

   sudo sed -i 's/noble/plucky/g' /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ubuntu.sources
5. Update packages list
   sudo apt-get update
6. Upgrade packages
   sudo apt-get upgrade
7. Run full upgrade
   sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
8. If any error re-run
   sudo apt-get update
   sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
9. Run cleanup
   sudo apt-get autoremove
   sudo apt-get clean
10. Reboot the system
    sudo reboot

Upgrade Ubuntu kernel version

1. Change current directory to /tmp
   cd /tmp
2. Download latest stable kernel

   wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.15.7/amd64/linux-headers-6.15.7-061507_6.15.7-061507.202507171742_all.deb
   wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.15.7/amd64/linux-headers-6.15.7-061507-generic_6.15.7-061507.202507171742_amd64.deb
   wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.15.7/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-6.15.7-061507-generic_6.15.7-061507.202507171742_amd64.deb
   wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.15.7/amd64/linux-modules-6.15.7-061507-generic_6.15.7-061507.202507171742_amd64.deb

3. Install latest stable kernel
   sudo dpkg -i *.deb
4. Reboot system after latest stable kernel upgrade
   sudo reboot
5. Change current directory to /tmp
   cd /tmp
6. Download latest mainline kernel (optionally)
   If you experience some issues with the latest stable kernel or want to test the newest release candidate you might give the latest kernel release candidate a try. But be cautious, it is still in development, and while fixing some bugs, new ones might appear. There are two ways to install latest mainline kernel:

   • sudo add-apt-repository ppa:cappelikan/ppa -y
   • sudo apt-get update
   • sudo apt install mainline -y

   or:

   wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.16-rc6/amd64/linux-headers-6.16.0-061600rc6_6.16.0-061600rc6.202507132137_all.deb
   wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.16-rc6/amd64/linux-headers-6.16.0-061600rc6-generic_6.16.0-061600rc6.202507132137_amd64.deb
   wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.16-rc6/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-6.16.0-061600rc6-generic_6.16.0-061600rc6.202507132137_amd64.deb
   wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.16-rc6/amd64/linux-modules-6.16.0-061600rc6-generic_6.16.0-061600rc6.202507132137_amd64.deb

7. Install latest mainline kernel
   sudo dpkg -i *.deb
8. Reboot system after latest mainline kernel upgrade
   sudo reboot

Finishing up

1. Update packages list
   sudo apt-get update
2. Upgrade packages
   sudo apt-get upgrade
3. Reboot the system if needed
   sudo reboot
4. Check the OS distro
   lsb_release -a
5. Check kernel version
   uname -r