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Enabling Debian Backports means editing the sources.list file which is located in the /etc/apt/ directory. As a result, it is a good idea to create a backup of this file before continuing. Using the cp command, make a copy of “sources.list.”
sudo cp /etc/apt/sources.list /etc/apt/sources.list.bak
With the backup created, it is time to start the editing process. Using the Nano text editor, load up the sources.list file. Be sure to use sudo, or if you do not have sudo set up on Debian, use su.
sudo nano -w /etc/apt/sources.list
Inside of Nano, make your way to the bottom by pressing the Down Arrow on the keyboard. Then, write out the following sentence.
# Debian Buster Backports.
Next, press the Enter key on the keyboard to create a new line in the file. Then, add in the new backports repo for Debian 10 Buster.
deb http://deb.debian.org/debian buster-backports main
After adding the repository line, it is time to save Nano. Press Ctrl + O to save your edits. Close the Nano text editor with Ctrl + X.
Finally, once out of the Nano text editor, use the apt-get update command to finish setting up Debian Backports.
sudo apt update
Now that Debian Backports is enabled on the system, you need to locate Linux kernel version 5.3 in the software repositories. To do this, use the apt search command and search for the package linux-image.
Note: if you need to install custom kernel modules, you must also search for and install the package linux-headers.
apt search linux-image
After running the command above, you should see a print-out in the terminal outlining various versions of the Linux kernel available for Debian 10 Stable.
Alternatively, if this print-out is too tricky to sort through, run apt search with the grep command, and filter “buster-backports.”
Inside of the search results, two variations of Linux Kernel 5.3 are present. These variations are:
linux-image-5.3.0-0.bpo.2-amd64
linux-image-5.3.0-0.bpo.2-cloud-amd64
Using the apt command in the terminal, load up Linux Kernel 5.3 on your Debian 10 Stable desktop.
sudo apt install linux-image-5.3.0-0.bpo.2-amd64
Additionally, be sure to install the 5.3 Linux Kernel headers, if you rely on modules.
sudo apt install linux-headers-5.3.0-0.bpo.2-amd64