I use the add/remove package to keep my system up to date. It doesn’t list any kernels as an update but when I am notified other packages are updated when I do the update it upgraded my kernel from linux611 to linux612. Linux612 didn’t work as it messed up my dual monitor display as it was detecting the wrong size so I went back to linux611. I didn’t see a linux-latest or linux-lts package that would cause this upgrade. For the time being, I just added linx611 and linux612 to my pacman.conf file. How can I prevent an update as I assume it may happen again on linux613 or linux614.
Kernel 6.11 is no longer supported, which is why you were moved onto 6.12. However, 6.12 is an LTS kernel, and will be supported until at least December 2026.
Adding kernels for exclusion to an update in /etc/pacman.conf is a recipe for disaster. Don’t do that! 
3 Likes
You got linux-meta because linux611 is EOL.
So no, it wont happen again, unless an unsupported kernel is left installed again.
Theoretically this could also be avoided by ignoring linux-meta but you really shouldnt be running EOL kernels.
6.6 was the last LTS before 6.12. Use that until such time as 6.12 or some other later kernel works for you. Keeping in mind that non-LTS kernels will continue to have short shelf-lives.
4 Likes