Solved Apt-get upgrade vs Update Manager

[Skybear]

I've been using sudo apt-get update and then entering sudo apt-get upgrade to update my software. I thought it was getting everything. But I must have looked at Update Manager recently because it was open and showing that the Linux kernel, version 6.17.0-29.29~24.04.1, is available. And, yes, I just backed-up my system.

I've just read, and will re-read, the post Linux Kernel Update from March 14, 2026.

I have two questions:
1) Why didn't my update & upgrade commands include updating the kernel?
2) From Osprey's comment in post #4 from that thread it sounds like the kernel will automatically be the one loaded the next time I reboot my computer. Is that correct? I've obviously never updated the kernel before.

 

[Condobloke]

This is completely up to date, as in Linux Mint Updates this morning (Saturday 16th 2026)

Post in thread 'Kernel Update to new versions : 6.8.0-117.117 & 6.17.0-29.29'

May 16, 2026

This morning there is another Kernel update .... from 6.17.0-23.23 to 6.17.0-29.29 (both 24.04.1)

Again, the presence of CVE's is at the top of the page, so the system is working as intended.

Firefox also got another update, second one within a week. I note that Librewolf browser also updated, as did Thunderbird email....both within a day or two of each other.

The Linux system is at work looking after its flock.

• Condobloke

• 
• 

From Osprey's comment in post #4 from that thread it sounds like the kernel will automatically be the one loaded the next time I reboot my computer. Is that correct? I've obviously never updated the kernel before.

Yes, that is correct.
Use of the new kernel is providing you with many security fixes, specifically fixes etc for many and various CVE's which have been found and published in a the last couple of weeks

For example:
* CVE-2026-31419
- net: bonding: fix use-after-free in bond_xmit_broadcast()

* CVE-2026-31431
- crypto: scatterwalk - Backport memcpy_sglist()
- crypto: algif_aead - use memcpy_sglist() instead of null skcipher
- crypto: algif_aead - Revert to operating out-of-place
- crypto: algif_aead - snapshot IV for async AEAD requests
- crypto: authenc - use memcpy_sglist() instead of null skcipher
- crypto: authencesn - Do not place hiseq at end of dst for out-of-place
decryption
- crypto: authencesn - Fix src offset when decrypting in-place
- crypto: af_alg - Fix page reassignment overflow in af_alg_pull_tsgl
- crypto: algif_aead - Fix minimum RX size check for decryption

There appears to not be a wory concerning these, as @Fae3iSUx has said,
""
Local only - again, and fixes already being distributed from mainstream. That's a good thing, from security standpoint. Nothing to worry about, again.

The kernel : 6.17.0-29.29~24.04.1 .....I cannot find in Software Manager

But, it is available via Update Manager this morning, Australian time

If your software Sources are set to an Australian Mirror, it may not be available there, yet
Mine are set to the defaults : http://packages.linuxmint.com .....and .... httpa;//archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu

Occasionally I will alter those to the local mirrors, depending if there is storm activity between us and the usa.
It's not a biggie, just a habit I have picked up over the years

 

[Skybear]

Why is the updated kernel showing up in the GUI Update Manager and not when I used sudo apt-get upgrade?

 

[wizardfromoz]

On

I've just read, and will re-read, the post Linux Kernel Update from March 14, 2026.

When you want to link to a thread (yours or another's), there are steps you can take that will help you and help others.

1. Go to that other thread, and in Firefox (or your browser in use) go to the address bar and click/copy/paste that to your post, in this case it is https://www.linux.org/threads/linux-kernel-update.63772/
2. Or you can do the same sort of thing such as having your own description in text, with the link behind, as so, using the link button icon in your Pane's toolbar click this
3. To link to Osprey's post there, see his post and at top right side of pane is a hash number, right-click it and copy - https://www.linux.org/threads/linux-kernel-update.63772/post-299463

Cheers

 

[wizardfromoz]

Mike, like this?

Where my arrow points gives it away, there's no way kernels will only take up a few kilobytes, rather a couple of hundred megabytes.

The discrepancy is a part of a process known as deferred phasing Mint inherits from Ubuntu.

AI (for what it's worth) have this, in part

A "deferred due to phasing" message means your update is being deliberately held back by your system's package manager. [1, 2]
This is not an error. It is a safety feature adopted by Linux Mint (from Ubuntu) that rolls out updates in slow, staggered batches (e.g., 1% to 5% to 20% of users). This allows developers to catch and patch unexpected bugs before they reach your machine. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

How to handle it
1. Wait it out (Recommended)
No action is required. Your system is perfectly stable, and the update will automatically become available to you within a few days once it clears the broader rollout. [1, 2]
2. Bypass phasing (Not Recommended)
If you are in a rush and cannot wait, you can force your system to install the deferred updates immediately. Open your terminal and run:
sudo apt -o APT::Get::Always-Include-Phased-Updates=true upgrade [1, 2]

 

[Skybear]

I just read an article that talks about that phasing. https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/04/linux-mint-next-release-christmas-2026

I'm happy to wait. Those guys know what they're doing. I'm in no rush.

 

[beanburrito]

I know this is solved but I wanted to recommend using the Synaptic package manager. It's lovely.

 

[Mike-BTU]

I know this is solved but I wanted to recommend using the Synaptic package manager. It's lovely.

It's lovely looking, yes. I used to use it a lot.
But I've read (on several websites) that it's not being maintained like it used to be.

 

[beanburrito]

It's lovely looking, yes. I used to use it a lot.
But I've read (on several websites) that it's not being maintained like it used to be.

If true, that's a shame. Modern day alternatives are bloated and aren't as detailed.

 

[Condobloke]

I think Clem announced thta Synaptic was not going to be in cluded in LM22.2 ?>>22.1? ....sometime fairly recently anyway.
I still use it. I downloaded it via the Software Manager. I feel no need to install it.

Found it:

https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=459573

Post by karlchen » Wed Dec 17, 2025 8:47 am


Hello, KS1.

Provided my memory serves me right, LM 22 wilma still came with Synaptic pre-installed and Synaptic was lost starting with LM 22.1 xia. Cf. LM 22.1 New features - Section 'Modernization of APT dependencies'.

Workaround:
Install Synaptic from the Ubuntu software repositories yourself. Command: sudo apt install synaptic.

Sad news:
There is no other application, which replaces Synaptic and which offers the same set of features.

Warning:
Any minor release upgrade (from LM 22 to LM 22.1, to LM 22.2 and soon to LM 22.3) is likely to uninstall synaptic again. Be persistent and re-install it again.

Karl

Karlchen is always accurate. His summation can be trusted.

edit to add more info:

from xenopeek.. Wed Dec 17, 2025.....also a well respected, trusted member with 31000 posts

Linux Mint has long come with Software Manager as the app for installing/removing apps. It can install apps from system package repositories same as Synaptic could and additionally it can also install flatpak apps from https://flathub.org/ for an even broader and more up to date software selection than is in Synaptic. Update Manager updates all system package software, same as Synaptic, but also software from Flathub and on Cinnamon it also updates Cinnamon Spices https://cinnamon-spices.linuxmint.com/.

In the past Synaptic was installed on Linux Mint as it was used as the backend for Update Manager root operations. That was its purpose on Linux Mint. Synaptic, along with a bunch of other legacy apt tools, had become long unmaintained upstream and increasingly showing that. Last year Linux Mint replaced all these tools with its new Aptkit and Captain. Update Manager no longer uses Synaptic as backend, so Synaptic is no longer included. For more information you can refer to these 2 blog posts:
https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4740
https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=4749

All that read, if you think Synpatic is the better tool for you then you can install it. Same as you can install any other software manager alternative if you prefer a different one. Through Software Manager or with the apt command line tool.

 

[wizardfromoz]

Mike, in my screenshot in #5, the right-hand half reflects the content from Linux Mint's Update Manager.

If that is what you meant with "Software Manager", both in your OP (original post) and in the title, you might edit same. If you have any difficulties sing out and I can do them.

Chris

BTW, Software Manager, accessible from your Menu, is a store sourced on the repositories, and also featuring some Flatpaks, that are used for installing Apps only.

 

[beanburrito]

I think Clem announced thta Synaptic was not going to be in cluded in LM22.2 ?>>22.1? ....sometime fairly recently anyway.

Thanks for linking the news. I don't care what "Clem" does, since I wouldn't touch anything Ubuntu with a pole. And as for the Debian edition, just use Debian!

 

[wizardfromoz]

...since I wouldn't touch anything Ubuntu with a pole

If you have used sudo update-grubyou are using something Ubuntu, it is something Debian adopted from downstream, and also used by Manjaro.

Cheers

Wizard

 

[beanburrito]

If you have used sudo update-grubyou are using something Ubuntu, it is something Debian adopted from downstream, and also used by Manjaro.

Cheers

Wizard

"The more you know."

I had plenty of fun with Ubuntu starting with their first release, back in the day. I miss the drum beat sound when you would go to login. Back then, I enjoyed Ubuntu more so than most other Linux distributions. It was a fun time to be using Ubuntu. There was great energy and good people. I miss it.