Building a smaller kernel using fewer options

Reducing the size of the kernel can help to reduce the size of the installation footprint.

Reducing the size of initramfs

Reduce the size of the initramfs can be done without recompiling, set in /etc/initramfs-tools/initramfs.conf:

• MODULES=dep BUSYBOX=n

Be warned that in the case of debugging initramfs related trouble you may have much less utils to your hand.

Unload unnecessary kernel modules

The following kernel modules may be unloaded:

• kpsmoused - This module is for the PS/2 mouse and can be removed on mouseless workstations

See also

[ReduceDebian Reducing the size of the Debian Installation Footprint]