Supported by December 2026, Linux Kernel 6.6 is confirmed as a long-term supported version

CTOnews.com November 17, the Linux 6.6 kernel was released last month, a major update that includes new features, hardware support, security enhancements, and performance improvements. Today, the kernel version is officially confirmed as a long-term supported (LTS) version.

Greg Kroah-Hartman, the Linux kernel maintainer, confirmed that Linux 6.6 is a long-term supported version, which will be maintained until December 2026, when Linux 6.1,5.15,5.10 will reach the end of their life cycle.

The long-term supported version of Linux was previously 5 years, but under the new adjustment, LTS was shortened to 3 years.

CTOnews.com previously reported that Linux Kernel 6.6 mainly introduced the EEVDF scheduler, implemented Shadow Stack support, added the user space API required by the Mesa NVK Vulkan driver for the Nouveau DRM driver, and continued to support the upcoming Intel and AMD platforms.

In addition, Linux Kernel 6.6 also supports changing the charger mode, fan and eGPU settings of Asustek devices, supporting more keyboard backlight control on Lenovo IdeaPad devices, and peripherals such as new Mellanox drivers.