--- title: "Ubuntu kernel lifecycle and enablement stack\n | Ubuntu" description: 'Ubuntu kernel lifecycle and support: LTS kernels, HWE kernels, Livepatch, and long-term security maintenance.' url: https://ubuntu.com/kernel/lifecycle?format=md keywords: index, follow --- # Ubuntu kernel lifecycle and enablement stack The Ubuntu LTS enablement, or Hardware Enablement (HWE), stack provides newer kernel and X11 display support for existing Ubuntu LTS releases. That stack can be enabled manually, but may also be pre-enabled with an Ubuntu LTS release. The HWE stack can be used by desktop and server systems, as well as cloud or virtual images. --- ## Installation 24.04 LTS 22.04 LTS 20.04 LTS 18.04 LTS 16.04 LTS 14.04 LTS Ubuntu 14.04 LTS — Trusty Tahr Desktop: ``` sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-lts-xenial xserver-xorg-core-lts-xenial xserver-xorg-lts-xenial xserver-xorg-video-all-lts-xenial xserver-xorg-input-all-lts-xenial libwayland-egl1-mesa-lts-xenial ``` Server: ``` sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-lts-xenial ``` The 14.04.2 and newer point releases ship with an updated kernel and X stack by default. If you have installed with older media, you can use these instructions to install the newer HWE kernel derived from 16.04 (Xenial). If you run a multiarch desktop (for example, i386 and amd64 on amd64, for gaming or Wine), you may find you need a slightly more involved command: ``` sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-lts-xenial xserver-xorg-core-lts-xenial xserver-xorg-lts-xenial xserver-xorg-video-all-lts-xenial xserver-xorg-input-all-lts-xenial libwayland-egl1-mesa-lts-xenial libgl1-mesa-glx-lts-xenial libgl1-mesa-glx-lts-xenial:i386 libglapi-mesa-lts-xenial:i386 ``` Ubuntu 16.04 LTS — Xenial Xerus Desktop: ``` sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-16.04 xserver-xorg-hwe-16.04 ``` Server: ``` sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-16.04 ``` The 16.04.2 and newer point releases ship with an updated kernel and X stack by default for the desktop. Server installations default to the GA kernel and provide the enablement kernel as optional. The 16.04 HWE stacks follow [the Rolling Update Model](https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/RollingLTSEnablementStack). Ubuntu 18.04 LTS — Bionic Beaver Desktop: ``` sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-18.04 xserver-xorg-hwe-18.04 ``` Server: ``` sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-18.04 ``` The 18.04.2 and newer point releases will ship with an updated kernel and X stack by default for the desktop. Server installations will default to the GA kernel and provide the enablement kernel as optional. The 18.04 HWE stacks follow [the Rolling Update Model](https://ubuntu.com/about/release-cycle#ubuntu-kernel-release-cycle). Ubuntu 20.04 LTS — Focal Fossa Desktop: ``` sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-20.04 ``` Server: ``` sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-20.04 ``` Desktop installations of 20.04 default to tracking the HWE stack. Server installations will default to the GA kernel and provide the enablement kernel as optional. Note that certain desktop machines may be on a separate "OEM" track. To determine if the machine is eligible for this, run the command `ubuntu-drivers list-oem` from a terminal. If this is non-empty, the machine is running the OEM cadence instead of HWE. The 20.04 HWE stack follows [the Rolling Update Model](https://ubuntu.com/about/release-cycle#ubuntu-kernel-release-cycle). Ubuntu 22.04 LTS — Jammy Jellyfish Desktop: ``` sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-22.04 ``` Server: ``` sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-22.04 ``` Desktop installations of 22.04 default to tracking the HWE stack. Server installations will default to the GA kernel and provide the enablement kernel as optional. Note that certain desktop machines may be on a separate “OEM” track. To determine if the machine is eligible for this, run the command `ubuntu-drivers list-oem` from a terminal. If this is non-empty, the machine is running the OEM cadence instead of HWE. The 22.04 HWE stack follows [the Rolling Update Model](https://ubuntu.com/about/release-cycle#ubuntu-kernel-release-cycle). Ubuntu 24.04 LTS — Noble Numbat Desktop: ``` sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-24.04 ``` Server: ``` sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-24.04 ``` Desktop installations of 24.04 default to tracking the HWE stack. Server installations will default to the GA kernel and provide the enablement kernel as optional. Note that certain desktop machines may be on a separate “OEM” track. To determine if the machine is eligible for this, run the command `ubuntu-drivers list-oem` from a terminal. If this is non-empty, the machine is running the OEM cadence instead of HWE. The 24.04 HWE stack follows [the Rolling Update Model](https://ubuntu.com/about/release-cycle#ubuntu-kernel-release-cycle). --- ## Check your support status To determine if your install is still supported, use hwe-support-status: ``` hwe-support-status --verbose ``` --- ## Kernel release schedule | Kernel version | Ubuntu version | Released | End of Standard Security Maintenance | End of Expanded Security Maintenance | End of Legacy add-on coverage | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **7.0** | **26.04.0 LTS** | Apr 2026 | Apr 2031 | Apr 2036 | Apr 2041 | | **6.17** | **24.04.4 LTS (HWE)** | Feb 2026 | Jul 2026 | - | - | | **25.10** | Oct 2025 | Jul 2026 | - | - | | **6.14** | **24.04.3 LTS (HWE)** | Aug 2025 | Jan 2026 | - | - | | **25.04** | Apr 2025 | Jan 2026 | - | - | | **6.8** | **22.04.5 LTS (HWE)** | Aug 2024 | Apr 2027 | Mar 2032 | Apr 2037 | | **24.04.[0 or 1] LTS** | Apr 2024 | Apr 2029 | Mar 2034 | Apr 2039 | | **5.15** | **20.04.5 LTS (HWE)** | Aug 2022 | Apr 2025 | Apr 2030 | Apr 2035 | | **22.04.[0 or 1] LTS** | Apr 2022 | Apr 2027 | Mar 2032 | Apr 2037 | | **5.4** | **18.04.5 LTS (HWE)** | Aug 2020 | Apr 2023 | Apr 2028 | Apr 2033 | | **20.04.[0 or 1] LTS** | Apr 2020 | Apr 2025 | Apr 2030 | Apr 2035 | | **4.15** | **16.04.5 LTS (HWE)** | Aug 2018 | Apr 2021 | Apr 2026 | Apr 2031 | | **18.04.[0 or 1] LTS** | Apr 2018 | Apr 2023 | Apr 2028 | Apr 2033 | | **4.4** | **14.04.5 LTS (HWE)** | Aug 2016 | Apr 2019 | Apr 2024 | Apr 2029 | | **16.04.[0 or 1] LTS** | Apr 2016 | Apr 2021 | Apr 2026 | Apr 2031 | | **3.13** | **14.04.[0 or 1] LTS** | Apr 2014 | Apr 2019 | Apr 2024 | Apr 2029 |