How to Safely Remove Old Kernels in Linux Mint:

A Terminal Guide

Tired of cluttered kernel lists eating up your precious disk space? Learn how to safely clean up old kernels using the Linux Mint terminal.

dan__brummitt

A post shared by @dan__brummitt

Why Remove Old Kernels?

Kernel updates are essential for security and hardware support, but they can accumulate over time, consuming valuable space in your /boot partition. Keeping 2-3 recent kernels is sufficient - your current one plus a backup in case of issues.

🛑 Before You Begin: Safety First

Always keep at least 2 kernels - never remove your currently running kernel. Check your current kernel with:

bash

uname -r

Method 1: The Automatic Cleanup

Using apt autoremove (Safest)

bash

sudo apt autoremove
sudo apt autoclean

This removes packages that are no longer needed, including some old kernels.

Method 2: Manual Removal (Most Control)

Step 1: Identify Installed Kernels

bash

dpkg --list | grep -E 'linux-image|linux-headers' | grep -v $(uname -r)

Step 2: Remove Specific Kernels

bash

# Example: Remove specific kernel versions
sudo apt remove linux-image-5.15.0-76-generic linux-headers-5.15.0-76

Step 3: Clean Up

bash

sudo apt autoremove
sudo apt autoclean

Method 3: Using purge-old-kernels

Install and Use:

bash

sudo apt install byobu
sudo purge-old-kernels

Remove when done:

bash

sudo apt remove byobu pastebinit run-one tmux python3-newt libutempter0
sudo apt autoremove

📊 Checking Your Results

Verify boot space:

bash

df -h /boot/

List remaining kernels:

bash

ls /boot/ | grep vmlinuz

💡 Pro Tips

1. Update Manager vs Actual Installation: Update Manager shows available updates, not necessarily what's installed. Don't worry if you still see old kernels listed there.

2. Package Status Codes:

   • ii = Installed

   • rc = Removed but config files remain

   • iU = Will be installed

3. Always reboot after kernel changes to ensure stability

🔄 When to Clean Kernels

• When /boot partition is nearly full

• After major system updates

• Periodically (every few months)

❌ What NOT to Do

• Never remove your current running kernel

• Don't use rm on files in /boot/ directly

• Avoid keeping only one kernel

Troubleshooting

If you encounter "Could not get lock" errors, wait for automatic updates to complete or use:

bash

sudo killall apt apt-get
sudo rm /var/lib/apt/lists/lock
sudo rm /var/cache/apt/archives/lock

Final Thoughts

Regular kernel maintenance is like digital housekeeping - it keeps your system lean and efficient. With these terminal commands, you can confidently manage your kernels without GUI tools.

Remember: A clean system is a happy system! 🐧

dan__brummitt

A post shared by @dan__brummitt

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