[wishlist] Ubuntu could propose to remove old kernels when upgrading

[YannUbuntu]

When using Ubuntu a long time (eg Karmic -> Lucid -> Maverick -> Natty -> Oneiric -> Precise -> Quantal..), a system will accumulate several dizains of old kernels.
Each kernel weights >200Mo, so this is not negligible, and may lead to blocked system if root becomes full. (see Bug #610358 )

It would be nice if Ubuntu could propose to remove some of the old kernels when upgrading from one Ubuntu version to another.

[Loubrix (david30160)]

I think it would be a good idea to include a feature in update-manager to uninstall old kernel while installing a new one.
for example: I had linux-image-3.2.0-10, and linux-image-3.2.0-11; update-manager install linux-image-3.2.0-12 when updating, and uninstall linux-image-3.2.0-10 at the same time.
by this way, only 2 kernels stay in the system, and the disk space remain stable.

it could be made silently for basic users, but other users could change the behavior in update-manager settings.

it also could be made in the postinstall script of linux-image (and headers) package, but it isn't possible to change settings in that case.

remove kernels only while upgrading to a newer version isn't a good idea; LTS versions can provide 40 or 50 kernels during their life.

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

[Brian Murray (brian-murray)]

The release upgrade process does remove kernels from the previous release of Ubuntu after the system has been upgraded.

[YannUbuntu (yannubuntu)]

thx Brian !