Ubuntu Version:
Example: 22.04.4 LTS
Problem Description:
amonra@charon:~$ uname -aLinux charon 6.8.0-111-generic #111-Ubuntu SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Sat Apr 11 23:16:02 UTC 2026 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
amonra@charon:~$
but package manager lists many newer images as being available. For example: linux-image-6.17.0-23-generic.
Is there a reason that I’m still on the older kernel?
Thanks, David
What is the output of
dpkg -l | grep linux-image; lsb_release -a; uname -a
Thanks
A 6.8 kernel (GA) and 6.17 kernel (HWE) suggests that you are actually using Ubuntu 24.04 instead of Ubuntu 22.04.
The 6.8 (GA) kernel is typical of an Ubuntu Server install.
The 6.17 (HWE) kernel is typical of an Ubuntu Desktop install.
Unless you have some hardware issue, it’s not a big deal. Both versions get security patches, both are fully supported.
It is possible to switch to the other kernel if you really want to. Typical users should not notice a difference.
This is the kernel I have currently installed on 24.04
The kernel is supported until July 2029 I believe.
Unless you have installed newer hardware or there is some other pressing need to update, I would stay where you are.
If you use Ubuntu Pro, it updates it to a later kernel, currently 6.17.0-22-generic.
Support is for five years (2029) without Pro, ten years (2034) with Pro, and 15 years (2039) with legacy support.
amonra@charon:~$ dpkg -l | grep limux-image; lsb_release -a; uname -a
No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: UbuntuDescription: Ubuntu 24.04.4 LTS
Release: 24.04
Codename: noble
Linux charon 6.8.0-111-generic #111-Ubuntu SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Sat Apr 11 23:16:02 UTC 2026 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
amonra@charon:~$
Yes, sorry it is 24.04.4 - 22.02 was a typo
linux-image, not linux-image 
A trimmed version of the output:
rc linux-image-5.4.0-91-generic 5.4.0-91.102 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-5.4.0-92-generic 5.4.0-92.103 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-5.4.0-94-generic 5.4.0-94.106 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-5.4.0-96-generic 5.4.0-96.109 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-5.4.0-97-generic 5.4.0-97.110 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-5.4.0-99-generic 5.4.0-99.112 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-6.8.0-100-generic 6.8.0-100.100 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-6.8.0-101-generic 6.8.0-101.101 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-6.8.0-106-generic 6.8.0-106.106 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-6.8.0-107-generic 6.8.0-107.107 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
ii linux-image-6.8.0-110-generic 6.8.0-110.110 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
ii linux-image-6.8.0-111-generic 6.8.0-111.111 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-6.8.0-52-generic 6.8.0-52.53 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-6.8.0-54-generic 6.8.0-54.56 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-6.8.0-55-generic 6.8.0-55.57 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-6.8.0-56-generic 6.8.0-56.58+1 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-6.8.0-57-generic 6.8.0-57.59 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-6.8.0-58-generic 6.8.0-58.60+1 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-6.8.0-59-generic 6.8.0-59.61 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-6.8.0-60-generic 6.8.0-60.63 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-6.8.0-62-generic 6.8.0-62.65 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-6.8.0-63-generic 6.8.0-63.66 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-6.8.0-64-generic 6.8.0-64.67 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-6.8.0-71-generic 6.8.0-71.71 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-6.8.0-78-generic 6.8.0-78.78 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-6.8.0-79-generic 6.8.0-79.79 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-6.8.0-83-generic 6.8.0-83.83 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-6.8.0-84-generic 6.8.0-84.84 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-6.8.0-85-generic 6.8.0-85.85 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-6.8.0-86-generic 6.8.0-86.87 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-6.8.0-87-generic 6.8.0-87.88 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-6.8.0-88-generic 6.8.0-88.89 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-6.8.0-90-generic 6.8.0-90.91 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
rc linux-image-6.8.0-94-generic 6.8.0-94.96 amd64 Signed kernel image generic
ii linux-image-generic 6.8.0-111.111 amd64 Generic Linux kernel image
No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: Ubuntu 24.04.4 LTS
Release: 24.04
Codename: noble
Linux charon 6.8.0-111-generic #111-Ubuntu SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Sat Apr 11 23:16:02 UTC 2026 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
Your list includes kernels which have been removed yet configuration files remain.
These redundant config files can be removed with this terminal command:-
sudo apt purge $(dpkg -l | egrep '^rc' | awk '{print $2}')
Review the list carefully before confirmation
Thanks for that incantation for removal of old configuration files
D.
Beat me to it. Was going to advise that same thing
Looking for linux-image is useless if you want to find out about upgrade issues, this is one level down in the meta package hierarchy, the only package you want to check for in such cases is the top level linux-generic package that manages all versions underneath it on the dependency chain (i.e. it manages which version of the linux-imagepackage is installed) …
I don’t think that’s quite correct. While Ubuntu Pro support for livepatching HWE kernels is a more recent-ish addition, the Pro client won’t automatically upgrade the kernel from non-HWE to HWE.
The way I understand the lifecycle documentation:
The installer should automatically select the HWE metapackage, when installing a Desktop system.
FYI, I think this can be done more elegantly using apt-patterns(7):
sudo apt purge '?config-files'
I would recommend always checking first with either dpkg -l | grep '^rc' or apt list ‘?config-files’ before using the command.
Always best to be safe when doing housecleaning.
Nice find, I really like this. Much simpler, easier to type, less chance of a syntax error when inputting in the terminal.
Thanks for sharing.
I think this one should be safe, though. Plus, apt asks confirmation every time multiple packages are to be installed/removed/purged, so that will give the list to review on the byway.
Thanks, I do have my moments. 
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