The issue here is that in both examples you are using the wrong package name:
sudo apt install linux-generic-hwe.16.04 /usr/bin/apt-get --quiet --assume-yes \ --option=Dpkg::options::=--force-unsafe-io \ --option=Dpkg::Options::=--force-confold \ install linux-generic-hwe.16.04 The correct package name is linux-generic-hwe-16.04. By using a non- existant package but using regular-expression characters (.) you are triggering pattern match mode. Apt even tells you this in your manual update: Note, selecting 'linux-generic-hwe-16.04-edge' for regex 'linux-generic-hwe.16.04' Note, selecting 'linux-generic-hwe-16.04' for regex 'linux-generic-hwe.16.04' -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1666413 Title: linux-image-hwe-16.04 depends on linux-generic-hwe-16.04-edge To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1666413/+subscriptions -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs