How to install files needed to build a kernel module Tested with Ubuntu 19 using VirtualBox 1. Run: sudo apt-get install build-essential checkinstall 2. Optionally Run: uname -r (gives you build info ex: 5.3.0-28-generic) 3. Run: apt search linux-headers-$(uname -r) 3. Run: sudo apt-get install linux-headers-5.3.0-28-generic Create your module and compile using the make utility.