Is it really recommended to install Tuxinvader kernel on Zorin 17 in 2026?
We often link the tutorial "[HOW TO] Easily install a later kernel", but the last update for the Tuxinvader kernel was 2024. Is it still supported at all?
For ubuntu noble, Zorin 18 is based on, there is no ppa of tuxinvader offered.
I wouldn't know but it states 6.12 is LTS.
So the fact it is LTS and built in 2024 does that equate to an EOL of 2029?
Personally (I can't speak in respect of Zorin as I don't use it any more) I am using Liquorix kernel, recently updated to 7.1.8.
Looks for me that it isn't maintained anymore.
Well i looked the liquorix kernel does work with jammy....will depend of what hardware he has
I have edited the [How To] guide to remove the TuxInvader kernel portion due to it being abandoned.
The reason it stayed for so long and was there at all was due to Microsoft Behavior in GnuLinux. Ubuntu set a much higher GCC dependency than necessary, restricting kernel installs only to newer computers. For users running older (and By older, I mean older than not shiny new) computers, this was a problem.
The TuxInvader repository corrected that behavior, listing actual necessary dependencies.
Thank you, Aravisian. I see, you have removed Tuxinvader from the guide. Does this mean, it is no longer safe to use Tuxinvader because this ppa isn't maintained any more and you don't get updates for the kernel?
When installing a mainline kernel using the mainline installer tool, should you regularly check to make sure you have a kernel that’s still supported, or are some of these kernels LTS kernels that receive updates for years, such as 6.12? Since Ubuntu explicitly distances itself from mainline kernels and advises against using them except in certain cases, I’m not sure whether, for example, if you install the mainline 6.12 kernel, you’ll get the 6.12 LTS kernel from Ubuntu or the general 6.12 kernel from Linus Torvalds.
I noticed that the LTS kernels of the "normal" Linux kernels are not always the same as the LTS kernels of ubuntu. E.g. the ubuntu kernel 6.8 is a LTS kernel, the normal kernel 6.8 not.
Ever see an Expiration Date on a food container?
It does not mean that if the expiration date is 11/Nov/2025 that on 10/Nov/2025 it is good and on 12/Nov/2025 that the food is now rotten and unsafe.
It does not mean a kernel is unsafe.
If it did, then following logic, all kernels are unsafe.
There are quite a few people still using Zorin OS 16 or 17, on older hardware that need older kernel support. I could have left the TuxInvader option in that guide, just as easily as remove it.
I did not opt to remove it because it is unsafe. I did not remove it because it is no longer applicable.
I removed it to spare myself having to make a lengthy explanation as to why it was there - Most anyone actually on Zorin 16 or 17 already has most likely locked their kernel in and... if a person needs, they can open a thread on the the topic and get the advice that way.
Yes, TuxInvader is no longer actively maintaining kernel versions to bypass restrictive dependencies and yes, they are no longer getting updates.
It did not rot them.
Because that is Ubuntu's Way to handle the Kernels. That is the Reason why LTS here is only related to Ubuntu and not in common like You have with the - if You want so - ''official'' LTS supported Kernels that You can see listed on kernel.org
Well, there are missing some Security Updates. Theretically, You could use them. But when You take the Security Vulnerabilities from the near Past (Dirty Frag and others) these are not fixed with this.
When that isn't an Issue for You, You are free to use it. I personally, I'm not a Friend of that. But the Decision is on the individual User.
Hmm, different opinions here. Personally, I don't want to use a kernel that no longer receives updates (we are talking about years, not days in case of Tuxinvader) as long as there's a better alternative.
Canonical did something strange with Ubuntu.
Their kernels, they set an unnecessary and restrictive dependency on GCC version. This was reported, but ignored.
Due to this, many users, prior to the release of Ubtuntu 24.04, could not install a later needed kernel (due to hardware) on Zorin OS 16 or 17.
TuxInvader provided a fix, with correct dependencies, during that time period.
For users still using those earlier editions - this remains valid.
That is not a matter of opinion. It is a matter of applicability.
But Security Updates are still missing.