What’s New in Linux Kernel 5.15? NTFS3, GPU Boosts, and Google’s Massive Bounty

Linux kernel creator Linus Torvalds announced the release of Linux 5.15, a new long‑term support (LTS) version.

NTFS3 driver from Paragon

The kernel now includes the NTFS3 driver developed by Paragon Software, allowing Linux users to mount external NTFS drives and even boot Windows PCs into Linux for troubleshooting.

-Werror policy

Linux 5.15 also re‑introduces the -Werror feature, which treats all compiler warnings as errors to encourage early bug fixes. After strong opposition from many kernel developers, Linus partially rolled back the change.

Despite these hiccups, Torvalds deemed the kernel stable enough to start the RC4 cycle in early October and move toward the final release.

Hardware support improvements

AMD CPU/GPU enhancements

Version 5.15 adds temperature monitoring for AMD Zen 3‑based APUs and new audio drivers for the Van Gogh APU, benefiting devices such as the Valve Steam Deck.

Intel Alder Lake support

Full support for 12th‑gen Intel processors, including the Intel TCC driver, is completed in this release, helping keep the CPUs cool under load.

Intel DG2/Alchemist discrete GPUs and XeHP

Initial support for Intel’s new discrete graphics cards and XeHP devices is present, with further improvements planned for future HPC‑oriented XeHP hardware.

Apple M1 support

The IOMMU driver from the Asahi Linux project has been merged, enhancing Linux’s ability to run on Apple M1 chips and use USB/PCIe devices.

Release timeline

Linux 5.15 is an LTS release expected to reach end‑of‑life in October 2023, though widespread adoption could extend its support. It follows the 5.10 LTS (released Dec 2020, EOL Dec 2026) and the 5.14 release (Nov 2019, EOL around Dec 2025).

Google’s massive kernel bounty

Google launched a three‑month bounty program for vulnerabilities in the new kernel, offering up to $31,337 for standard bugs and at least $50,337 for previously undisclosed exploits, emphasizing the importance of kernel security for cloud and edge services.