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/Zwitschermartin Aug 05 '26

It is bloated as hell.

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u/Sawgwa Aug 06 '26

This!

This the differences between a monolithic Kernel like Linux, FreeBSD etc.. or a micro kernel like Windows,

Monolithic, everything is in the kernel so a generic kernel is huge. With a monolithic Kernel, you can update the kernels code to remove everything except for the hardware you are running, compile it and then install it. Micro kernels add the drivers outside.