Linux Questions @lemmy.zip Possibly linux @lemmy.zip 2y ago Is there a way to update microcode on Debian without enabling the non-free repositories? I want to patch security holes but I don't want non-free software
No. Neither Intel or AMD provide microcode which meets Debian's definition of "free" so CPU microcode is non-free:
https://wiki.debian.org/Microcode
You might consider that your CPU is already running non-free microcode provided by your non-free motherboard BIOS.
If you have one of these CPUs, it's literally impossible for you not to run some non-free components.
All you're doing is exposing yourself to vulnerabilities in old microcode.
I'm aware if the issues. What I was trying to do was update it without installing non-firmware. I don't think its possible