How to Install Liquorix Kernel on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04

The Liquorix kernel is a modified version of the Linux kernel that is specifically optimized for use with Ubuntu and other Debian-based distributions. It is designed to provide better performance and responsiveness, as well as improved power management and hardware support.

Some of the benefits and features of the Liquorix kernel include the following:

• Improved performance and responsiveness through the Zen scheduler and other performance enhancements.
• Better support for newer hardware, including the latest Intel and AMD processors.
• Improved power management, including support for Intel SpeedStep and other power-saving technologies.
• Additional real-time scheduling options allow for low-latency audio and other time-sensitive applications.
• Thanks to the latest stable Linux kernel releases, a more stable and reliable kernel.
• The ability to fine-tune kernel settings and parameters through the use of sysctl.

Incorporating the Liquorix kernel into your Ubuntu system can provide a range of advantages, such as heightened performance, improved hardware support, and more efficient power management. This tutorial will demonstrate installing the Liquorix kernel on Ubuntu 22.04 Jammy Jellyfish or Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa through the command line terminal.

Warning: The Liquorix Kernel is only compatible with x86_64 processor architecture. Devices like the Raspberry PI, which uses ARMHF or ARM64, are not supported. Additionally, the Liquorix Kernel does not support secure boot, so it must be disabled before installation.

Step 1: Update Ubuntu

Before proceeding, ensure that all existing packages on your system are up-to-date by updating your system.

sudo apt update

As an optional step, you can review available updates by listing them. This can be useful if you want to verify that a specific package is included in the updates or are simply curious.

apt --list upgradable

Proceed with upgrading any outdated packages by using the following command.

sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Import the Liquorix Kernel PPA

To begin, run the following command to ensure that the necessary packages are installed. These packages are commonly used and should already be installed on your system.

sudo apt install ca-certificates apt-transport-https software-properties-common lsb-release -y

For users who have not imported a GPG key from the Ubuntu keyserver, the command line terminal may have issues importing GPG keys from LaunchPAD PPAs because the necessary directories have not been created. To resolve this, use the following command to generate the required directories.

sudo gpg --list-keys

Example output:

gpg: directory '/root/.gnupg' created
gpg: keybox '/root/.gnupg/pubring.kbx' created
gpg: /root/.gnupg/trustdb.gpg: trustdb created

This step can be omitted, but if you experience difficulties, execute the command and then try the previous command again.

The next task is to import the GPG key needed.

sudo gpg --no-default-keyring --keyring /usr/share/keyrings/liquorix.gpg --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A7654D8BAB1824F4D8F4E9D19352A0B69B72E6DF

Example output:

gpg: key 9352A0B69B72E6DF: public key "Launchpad PPA for Steven Barrett" imported
gpg: Total number processed: 1
gpg:               imported: 1

With the necessary GPG key imported, the next step is to add the LaunchPAD PPA to your system.

echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/liquorix.gpg] https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/damentz/liquorix/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list.d/liquorix.list

If you need the source for the Liquorix Kernel for any compiling, use this command as well. Most users will not require this.

echo "deb-src [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/liquorix.gpg] https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/damentz/liquorix/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list.d/liquorix.list

Note the above commands will work for Ubuntu short-term releases if the Liquorix Kernel PPA supports these releases.

Before continuing, it is important to run an APT update to ensure that the newly imported PPA is reflected in the sources.list and that the cache is up to date.

sudo apt update

Step 3: Install Liquorix Kernel

The next step is to start the installation process of the Liquorix kernel using the command provided in the terminal.

sudo apt install linux-image-liquorix-amd64

Next, you will need to reboot your system to complete the installation.

reboot

With the installation complete, it is time to restart your system to activate the newly installed Liquorix kernel.

cat /proc/version

Example output:

Linux version 6.1.8-2-liquorix-amd64 (steven@liquorix.net) (gcc (Ubuntu 11.3.0-1ubuntu1~22.04) 11.3.0, GNU ld (GNU Binutils for Ubuntu) 2.38) #1 ZEN SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC liquorix 6.1-18ubuntu1~jammy (2023-01

Remember that the version number may change as the Liquorix kernel receives regular updates.

Additional Commands & Tips

Update Liqourix Kernel

To ensure that the Liquorix kernel remains up-to-date, you should periodically run the apt update and upgrade commands, as you used the APT package manager to install the kernel.

Run the command “apt update” to check for updates on packages managed by APT.

sudo apt update

If updates are available, use the following command to upgrade all packages, including the Liquorix kernel.

sudo apt upgrade

Remove (Uninstall) Liqourix Kernel

If you have decided not to continue using the Liquorix kernel and wish to remove the PPA, use the following command.

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/liquorix.list

Note that you will need to specify the exact name of the Linux image and header package to remove them. You can find the names by running the following command.

dpkg --list | grep `uname -r`

Example output:

To remove the kernel packages, use the provided command, which should cover all versions of Liquorix. However, modify the command to match the kernel version in your output if necessary.

sudo apt-get autoremove linux-image-*.*.-*.*-liquorix-amd64 linux-headers-*.*.*-*.*-liquorix-amd64 --purge

Example output if successful:

During the process of removing the Liquorix Kernel, you may encounter a prompt asking for confirmation to proceed with the removal.

Example:

During the removal process for the Liquorix Kernel, a warning message may appear about not having a fallback Linux Kernel to rely on during a reboot. It is essential to select “No” to proceed with the removal process.

Once you have removed the Liquorix kernel, run the following command to ensure you have the generic Linux Kernel installed. You can change this later on for users wanting something else.

sudo apt install linux-image-generic

Now restart your PC to finalize the removal of Liquorix.

reboot

To confirm that the Liquorix kernel has been successfully removed, you can check the installed kernel version using a command like “cat /proc/version” and compare the output to the version of the Liquorix kernel that you had previously installed.

cat /proc/version

Example output if the default kernel is restored:

Linux version 5.15.0-58-generic (buildd@lcy02-amd64-101) (gcc (Ubuntu 11.3.0-1ubuntu1~22.04) 11.3.0, GNU ld (GNU Binutils for Ubuntu) 2.38) #64-Ubuntu SMP Thu Jan 5 11:43:13 UTC 2023

Conclusion

In conclusion, installing the Liquorix kernel on Ubuntu is a simple process that can provide significant performance improvements for users. However, if you are unsatisfied with the results or experience any issues, you may want to consider an alternative kernel such as Xanmod. Ultimately, the choice of the kernel will depend on your individual needs and preferences. It is essential to keep in mind that kernels are constantly updated, so staying up to date with the latest version can ensure optimal performance.

For more information on Liquorix Kernel, visit the Liquorix Kernel features information page.