Announcing 6.20 Kernel for Ubuntu 26.04 Resolute Raccoon

[p-pisati]

The Canonical Kernel Team is pleased to announce we will target the 6.20 Linux kernel for the upcoming Ubuntu 26.04 ( Resolute Raccoon) release.

As outlined in the Kernel Version Selection for Ubuntu Releases, starting with 24.10, Ubuntu has adopted a policy of integrating the most recent upstream Linux kernel available by the Ubuntu Feature Freeze date. This approach has proven effective in delivering the latest features and hardware support to our users. As a result, the Canonical Kernel Team remains committed to continuing this policy for Ubuntu 26.04 — even if the upstream kernel is still in Release Candidate (RC) status at the time of release.

According to the current Linux release predictions, the mainline v6.20 kernel is expected to be released on Sunday, 2026-04-05 , therefore aligned with the key deadlines and dates for the Resolute Raccoon release available in Resolute Racoon Release Schedule:

• 2026-03-19T00:00:00Z: Kernel Feature Freeze
• 2026-03-23T00:00:00Z: Beta Freeze / HWE Freeze
• 2026-04-09T00:00:00Z: Kernel Freeze
• 2026-04-16T00:00:00Z: Final Freeze
• 2026-04-23T00:00:00Z: Final Release

Throughout the 26.04 development cycle, we will provide regular updates on the progress of the kernel integration, including availability of major kernel version updates. We encourage the Ubuntu community to actively participate in testing and provide feedback through the appropriate channels, such as the Ubuntu Kernel mailing list, Ubuntu Discourse and Launchpad bug reports.

[redwoodsec]

What an excellent choice there are so many great developments in 6.19 but also some great stuff already landing in 6.20 that will be a treat.

[shishimaru]

Will 7.0/6.20 be available earlier in rc state or will we wait until April?

[kleber.souza]

We will start working on 7.0 as soon as -rc1 is out, likely this weekend. It will probably take a couple of weeks until it’s stable enough to have it available on the Ubuntu archive as the default kernel for 26.04.

[jas42436]

so it’s already 7.0 rc3 so when will kernel 7.0 appear in ubuntu 26.04?

[corradoventu]

March 19	Documentation String Freeze, Kernel Feature Freeze
wait at least: March 19	Documentation String Freeze, Kernel Feature Freeze

[guiverc]

@jas42436

so it’s already 7.0 rc3 so when will kernel 7.0 appear in ubuntu 26.04?

The 7.0 kernel was visible yesterday (I looked for some reason due to support enquiry), maybe even the day before that too…

linux-generic | 6.19.0-9.9             | resolute          | amd64, amd64v3, arm64, armhf, ppc64el, s390x
linux-generic | 7.0.0-7.7              | resolute-proposed | amd64, amd64v3, arm64, armhf, ppc64el, s390x

If you’d run a CLI enquiry on what is available yourself, you’d have see that too (ie. rmadison is what I used) …

rmadison -- Remotely query the Debian archive database about packages

We’re just waiting for it to advance from proposed to main as per normal procedures.

[corradoventu]

Successfully installed from proposed:

corrado@corrado-n6-rr-0310:~$ inxi -SMxc
System:
Host: corrado-n6-rr-0310 Kernel: 7.0.0-7-generic arch: x86_64 bits: 64
compiler: gcc v: 15.2.0
Desktop: GNOME v: 50.beta Distro: Ubuntu 26.04 (Resolute Raccoon)
Machine:
Type: Desktop System: Gigabyte product: H510M H v: -CF
serial:
Mobo: Gigabyte model: H510M H v: x.x serial:
Firmware: UEFI vendor: American Megatrends LLC. v: F14 date: 03/25/2022
corrado@corrado-n6-rr-0310:~$

[jonkers]

I installed, and on reboot I got error: bad shim lock signature.

After disabling Secure Boot in the BIOS, booting works, and there it is: 7.0.0-070000rc4-generic

sander@hp15:~$ inxi -SMxc
System:
Host: hp15 Kernel: 7.0.0-070000rc4-generic arch: x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 15.2.0
Console: pty pts/1 Distro: Ubuntu 26.04 (Resolute Raccoon)
Machine:
Type: Laptop System: HP product: HP Laptop 15s-fq1xxx v: N/A serial:
Mobo: HP model: 86C9 v: 56.33 serial: Firmware: UEFI vendor: AMI v: F.30
date: 07/04/2023
sander@hp15:~$

[anthonywong]

Your kernel comes from https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v7.0-rc4/ which are unsigned and for debugging purpose. You can get the signed one fromresolute-proposed as mentioned `by @guiverc above.

[jonkers]

@anthonywong

resolute-proposed

How do I add that via the GUI in 26.04? Because I believe that was possible in “Software & Updates”, but that now only checks for updates, and exits … ?

[guiverc]

@jonkers

How do I add that via the GUI in 26.04? Because I believe that was possible in “Software & Updates”, but that now only checks for updates, and exits … ?

Standard doc is https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Testing/EnableProposed

I’m currently logged into a Lubuntu/LXQt (resolute) session, and thus here I’ll be using software-properties-qt for me, I don’t have a running GNOME desktop handy (and aren’t willing to logout & login again here sorry). The window here is titled “Software Sources”.

[corradoventu]

You can still install ‘software & updates’ with sudo apt install software-properties-gtk but read this:

Why we’re saying goodbye to “Software & Updates”

Every so often, something disappears from Ubuntu and it raises big questions. This time it’s “Software & Updates” (software-properties). Joey has been faster than me to talk about this change in his article Ubuntu 26.04 Drops ‘Software & Updates’ Tool from New Installs. If you’ve been using Ubuntu for a while, you probably know this application. It’s where you go when someone tells you to “Enable a repo” or “Check drivers”. It was created in 2004 and later forked from update-manager by Michael…

[yasirel]

You can still install ‘software & updates’ with sudo apt install software-properties-gtk but read this:

It is also available for download from the AppCenter, in case he don’t want to use the terminal.

[yasirel]

I updated to Kernel 7.0 without any issues this afternoon; I’ll explore it a bit more later. The Nvidia drivers are perfectly configured. I can’t wait for the Resolute release so I can install it on my main work machine!