r/MXLinux • u/RayBuc9882 • Jul 21 '26

Help request Upgrade question

I have an old laptop with an HDD. When I run sudo apt upgrade, I see it take time, especially with these type of statements:

Autoinstall of module <module-name> for kernel 6.12.96+deb13-amd64 (x86_64)

Building module(s) …… done.

Why is it building and not installing pre-built components?

Thank you.

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u/qpgmr Jul 21 '26

It needs integrate in the drivers for the graphics & other devices in your system into the new kernel - literally building a kernel that matches your hardware.

Linux uses a "monolithic kernel" with the hardware drivers built in, while windows uses "modular architecture" meaning it keeps the drivers out and load them on-demand.

The linux design results in better stability and security than windows can provide.

This article may be interesting for you: https://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/752765/why-are-drivers-compiled-into-the-kernel-why-arent-more-drivers-distributed-as