Ubuntu: Delete old kernels - how it works
With Ubuntu, old kernels are not automatically removed. This practical tip shows you how to delete them, for example to free up storage space.
Delete old kernels under Ubuntu
To delete the old kernel on Ubuntu, all you have to do is follow the steps below. Make sure to keep the most current and, if possible, its predecessor to ensure that the operating system works.
- Important: Always keep at least one kernel. Otherwise the operating system can no longer be started!
- First you need to find out the current kernel version. Right click on the desktop and select "Open Terminal".
- Now enter "uname -a" and note the current kernel version.
- Then install the graphical package manager Synaptic with "sudo apt-get install synaptic" (if not already available) and start it after the installation with "sudo synaptic".
- When starting Synaptic, close the short introduction by clicking on "Close".
- Now select "Kernel and Module" in the selection on the left and look for "linux-image" in the top center.
- With a click on the "S" in the tabular view, all installed Linux kernels are now displayed with a green dot.
- Now select the kernel to be uninstalled and right-click on "Mark for Removal". Be careful not to remove the current one and its predecessor!
- Clicking on "Apply" opens the summary, which you have to confirm again with "Apply". The old kernels are now removed.
In the next article we will explain how you can carry out a manual kernel update. Note: The practical tip refers to Linux Mint, but the steps are identical to Ubuntu.