Ubuntu is decoupling firmware management with the introduction of a new linux-firmware-hwe package.
By isolating firmware sets for HWE and GA kernels, Canonical aims to prevent cross-kernel regression issues, such as those recently observed with AMD hardware on GA 6.9 kernels.
GA kernel users will remain on the standard firmware set, while HWE kernels transition to the new package.
The implementation is set for Ubuntu 26.10, with backports to 26.04 expected in early 2027.
How will the new system work?
To avoid such errors in the future, a separate update package will be created exclusively for users of the newer version (HWE). From now on, only users of this version will use this specific package, while those who prefer the stable version (GA) will remain on the established update set. Canonical will continue to provide targeted fixes for both categories of users. One issue that remains under consideration is how to manage systems on which both versions are installed at the same time, as a special configuration for the update package will be required.
When does the change apply?
This change is being implemented in Ubuntu 26.10. The team is also planning to port the solution to Ubuntu 24.04 in early 2027.
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