For Ubuntu 10.04 LTS, packages with fresh versions of the Linux kernel will be released.

As an experiment after the release of Ubuntu 10.04, developers are planning to periodically backport for the extended support time (LTS) distribution kit future future versions of the Linux kernel, thus maintaining both the driver database and the functionality of the distribution kit in an up-to-date state. Backporting to Ubuntu 10.04 will not be all versions of the Linux kernel, but only those on the basis of which the normal (non-LTS) distributions of the distribution will be built. For those who prefer stability, updates for the Linux kernel on which the LTS release was originally based will still be released.

As for the version of the base Linux kernel, the Ubuntu developers decided to use the 2.6.32 kernel in the release of Ubuntu 10.04 Linux to increase stability, despite the fact that the 2.6.33 kernel will already be available in April.

Other solutions include the use of a DRM module for switching kernel-mode video modes (KMS) for ATI Radeon and Nvidia video cards, as well as the default Nouveau driver for Nvidia video cards, which not only supports 2D functions, but also means for 3D acceleration.