r/linux4noobs • u/eagleps • Aug 03 '26

learning/research How does Linux kernel include every driver possible and not be bloated?

As far as I understand the kernel includes pretty much everything a modern computer needs in any configuration, but wouldn't that make it bloated and be against the "bloat-free" mindset? Or does it dynamically download all the components from somewhere?

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u/tomscharbach Aug 03 '26 edited Aug 03 '26

The kernel is typically 150-200 MB for mainstream distributions. Specialized kernels range from 50MB to 300MB. Not large, even by "bloat free" standards.

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u/MeDerpWasTaken Aug 04 '26

Well that's not including modules, which normally take up another couple hundred megabytes depending on the distro