The guide explains how to replace Ubuntu 22.04’s default kernel with the performance‑oriented XanMod kernel by adding its signed repository, updating apt, and installing the desired flavor (stable or real‑time). It stresses preparing a backup, having sudo access, and verifying the new kernel after a reboot using uname -r, while also showing optional tweaks such as setting the CPU governor to “performance” and cleaning old kernels. Instructions for reverting are included: boot an older Ubuntu kernel from GRUB, then remove the XanMod packages with apt remove and refresh GRUB. Overall, the article demonstrates that installing XanMod is a straightforward apt‑based process that can yield lower latency and higher frame rates, yet remains easily reversible if problems arise.

Install XanMod Kernel on Ubuntu 22.04 – A No‑Fluff Walkthrough

You’ve heard that XanMod can squeeze a few extra frames out of your desktop or gaming rig, and you’re running Ubuntu 22.04 Jammy. This guide shows exactly how to pull the latest XanMod packages from the official repo, replace the stock kernel, and get back to work without breaking anything.

Why Bother with XanMod?

The default Ubuntu kernel is rock‑solid but it isn’t tuned for low latency or the highest possible FPS. XanMod adds a few patches (preempt‑rt tweaks, CPU scheduler optimizations, newer drivers) that can shave off milliseconds in games and make the system feel snappier. I tried it on an old laptop after a graphics driver hiccup; the boot time dropped by about three seconds and Steam titles launched noticeably quicker.

Prerequisites

• A working Ubuntu 22.04 installation with sudo rights.
• An active internet connection (the repo is fetched over HTTPS).
• A backup of your important data or at least a snapshot if you use Timeshift.

Skipping the backup is risky – I’ve seen people lose a custom kernel config after a botched dpkg run, and they end up stuck in recovery mode.

Add the XanMod Repository

1. Open a terminal and import the repository’s GPG key. This step verifies that the packages really come from the XanMod team and haven’t been tampered with.

   sudo wget -qO /usr/share/keyrings/xanmod-archive-keyring.gpg https://dl.xanmod.org/gpg.key
   

2. Register the repo by creating a source list file. The signed-by option ties the key to this repo only, keeping your system tidy.

   echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/xanmod-archive-keyring.gpg] http://deb.xanmod.org releases main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/xanmod.list
   

Update Package Index and Install

1. Refresh the local package database so Ubuntu knows about the new XanMod packages.

   sudo apt update
   

2. Choose which flavor you want. The xanmod-rt variant includes real‑time patches; xanmod-stable is a safer, more conservative build. I stick with xanmod-stable for daily use and only switch to rt when testing low‑latency audio.

   sudo apt install linux-xanmod
   

3. The installer will pull the kernel image, headers, and meta‑packages. It also updates your GRUB configuration automatically.

Verify the New Kernel

After installation, reboot so the new kernel can take over:

sudo reboot

When you’re back at the login screen, open a terminal and run:

uname -r

You should see something like 5.15.0-xanmod1 (or newer). If the version still shows the Ubuntu default, hold Shift during boot to bring up the GRUB menu and manually select “Advanced options for Ubuntu,” then pick the XanMod entry.

Optional Tweaks

• Enable CPU governor performance – XanMod works best when the CPU isn’t constantly throttling.

  sudo apt install cpufrequtils
  echo 'GOVERNOR="performance"' | sudo tee /etc/default/cpufrequtils
  sudo systemctl restart cpufrequtils
  

• Remove old kernels – Keeping dozens of kernels clutters /boot. Use purge-old-kernels from the byobu package, but leave at least one fallback.

  sudo apt install byobu
  sudo purge-old-kernels --keep 2 -qy
  

Rolling Back If Needed

If you run into trouble (e.g., a proprietary driver refuses to compile), you can boot the previous Ubuntu kernel from the GRUB menu and then uninstall XanMod:

sudo apt remove linux-xanmod
sudo update-grub

That restores the stock kernel without any extra hassle.

Bottom Line

XanMod isn’t magic; it’s a set of sensible patches that can make a noticeable difference on hardware that already runs Ubuntu well. The installation process is straightforward, and because it uses standard apt tooling you can revert with a single command if something goes sideways.

Happy tweaking, and enjoy the extra frames!