> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://itsfoss.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Linux Kernel 6.6 Arrives With Numerous Refinements - URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/linux-kernel-6-6-release/ - Published: 2023-10-30T06:45:54.000Z - Updated: 2024-02-19T10:34:12.000Z - Description: Improved laptop support, server improvements, and more. - Author: Sourav Rudra - Tags: Linux, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15 It is time for another Linux kernel release! The Linux kernel 6.6 release is a big one with **plenty of improvements across the board** for various laptops, networking hardware, processors and what not. Linus Torvalds [mentions](https://lkml.iu.edu/hypermail/linux/kernel/2310.3/06370.html?ref=itsfoss.com): *There's a random smattering of fixes all over, and apart from some* *bigger fixes to the r8152 driver, it's all fairly small. Below is the* *shortlog for last week for anybody who really wants to get a flavor of* *the details. It's short enough to scroll through.* **Suggested Read** 📖 [Linux Kernel 6.5 Released With Initial Support for Wi-Fi 7 and USB4The Linux Kernel 6.5 has dropped with nice improvements. Check it out here.![](https://news.itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/08/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSS NewsRishabh Moharir![](https://news.itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/08/linux-6-5-release.png)](https://itsfoss.com/linux-kernel-6-5-release/) ## 🆕 Linux Kernel 6.6: What's New? Before we begin, just keep in mind that this is **an LTS release**. Anyway, let's move on to the highlights of this release: - **Intel Improvements** - **Better Support for Laptops** - **Networking Improvements** - **AMD Enhancements** ### Intel Improvements ![an image showing the intel logo ](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/10/Linux_Kernel_6.6_1.png) Linux kernel 6.6 features **support for Intel's Neural Processing Unit** (**NPU**) technology, which was formerly known as the Versatile Processing Unit. This tech is **set to debut with Intel's “**[**Meteor Lake**](https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/content-details/788851/meteor-lake-architecture-overview.html?ref=itsfoss.com)**” chips** later this year that will see these **NPUs exclusively being used for handling AI workloads**. Intel has even begun the **initial work for NPU support** on the upcoming “**Arrow Lake**” chips with this kernel release! Then there's the **support for Intel's** [**Shadow Stack**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow%5Fstack?ref=itsfoss.com) that came with the inclusion of their [**Control-flow Enforcement Technology**](https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/developer/articles/technical/technical-look-control-flow-enforcement-technology.html?ref=itsfoss.com) (CET) into the kernel. Its main objective is to **defend against return-oriented programming (ROP) attacks** on modern Intel CPUs from Tiger Lake onwards. [![Follow It's FOSS on Google News](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/04/Follow-us-on-Google-News.png)](https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMInpoAswofO4Aw?ref=itsfoss.com) ### Better Support for Laptops ![an image showing a laptop illustration](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/10/Linux_Kernel_6.6_2-1.png) **For HP laptops**, it is now **possible to manage the BIOS from within Linux**, this is thanks to the implementation of the “**HP-BIOSCFG**” driver. According to reports, **HP laptops from 2018 and later should work** with this driver. **For Lenovo laptops**, the driver was updated to **add support for keyboard backlight control** for more IdeaPad laptops. Similarly, **for ASUS laptops**, the [ROG Flow X16](https://rog.asus.com/laptops/rog-flow/rog-flow-x16-2023-series/spec/?ref=itsfoss.com) (2023) gaming laptops can now **properly enable tablet mode** when the lid is flipped over. ### Networking Improvements ![an image showing a networking illustration](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/10/Linux_Kernel_6.6_3.png) On the networking side of things, Linux kernel 6.6 features **support for new hardware** such as [**Atheros QCA8081**](https://www.qualcomm.com/products/internet-of-things/networking/wi-fi-networks/qca8081?ref=itsfoss.com), **MediaTek MT7988**, **MediaTek MT7981**, [**NXP TJA1120 PHY**](https://www.nxp.com/products/interfaces/ethernet-/automotive-ethernet-phys/tja1120-automotive-ethernet-phy-1000base-t1-asil-b-and-tc-10:TJA1120?ref=itsfoss.com), and more. Even the **drivers have seen upgrades**, take for instance the **Qualcomm Wi-Fi 7 (ath12k) driver**, which now **supports Extremely High Throughput (EHT) PHY**. Then there is the **enabling of AP mode for various Realtek (rtl8xxxu) Wi-Fi chips**. More details on networking-specific changes can be found in the [pull request](https://lore.kernel.org/lkml/20230829125950.39432-1-pabeni@redhat.com/?ref=itsfoss.com). ### AMD Enhancements ![an image showing the amd logo](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/10/Linux_Kernel_6.6_4.png) With the Linux kernel 6.6 release, AMD developers have pushed **support for two new pieces of technology** that they have yet to officially announce. One is support for their upcoming “**FreeSync Panel Replay**” technology for gaming displays (laptops only) that would automatically decrease the refresh rate to save on power and reduce GPU workload. The other is called “**Dynamic boost control**” that is a **performance** **improving feature for some Ryzen SoCs**, details about it are quite slim. More on its implementation can be found in the [patch series](https://lore.kernel.org/lkml/20230420163140.14940-1-mario.limonciello@amd.com/T/?ref=itsfoss.com#m38ab23d70d213ceb67440168b3f71ad2be3aa564). ### 🛠️ Other Changes & Improvements As for the rest, here are some other notable changes: - Loads of new features for **LoongArch**. - The **Rust toolchain** was upgraded to v1.71.1. - Various improvements for **RISC-V** and **Btrfs**. - Complete removal of [**Wireless USB**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless%5FUSB?ref=itsfoss.com) and [**Ultra-Wideband**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra-wideband?ref=itsfoss.com) code. - Many improvements for **open-source graphics drivers** for **Nvidia**, **Intel**, and **AMD**. You can go through the [changelog](https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v6.x/ChangeLog-6.6?ref=news.itsfoss.com) for more details. ## Installing Linux Kernel 6.6 If you are running rolling-release distros such as Arch or Fedora, then it is quite straightforward to upgrade. You just have to wait a bit, as these distros take their time in releasing the update. As for the rest, you can either wait for a major release, or **upgrade to the latest mainline Linux kernel in Ubuntu** by following our guide: [Install the Latest Mainline Linux Kernel Version in UbuntuThis article shows you how to upgrade to the latest Linux kernel in Ubuntu. There are two methods discussed. One is manually installing a new kernel and the other uses a GUI tool providing even easier way.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/12/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/04/install-mainline-kernel-in-ubuntu.png)](https://itsfoss.com/upgrade-linux-kernel-ubuntu/?ref=news.itsfoss.com) You can download the tarball for the latest Linux kernel from its [official website](https://www.kernel.org/?ref=news.itsfoss.com) (*it takes time for it to be available after release*). *💬 What do you think of this kernel release?*