Ubuntu is an open source operating system (OS) used by people all over the world. Although it is easy to use and customizable, it may not always be compatible with additional software. As such, you’ll need to check if your Ubuntu version will integrate with other programs.
Fortunately, it is relatively easy to check your version of Ubuntu. You can do this using commands in the terminal or by accessing the settings in the graphical user interface (GUI).
In this guide, we’ll discuss what Ubuntu is and why you might want to check which version you’re running. Next, we will explain how to perform this check using several simple methods. Start!
An overview of Ubuntu (and why you might need to check its version) Ubuntu is
a popular Linux-based operating system around the world. You can use the desktop, server, or core versions, depending on your needs.
The platform is totally free. It also has some advantages over other operating systems like Windows or macOS.
For example, it uses open source software and provides a secure development environment. As such, Ubuntu can be a useful tool for web developers.
You can also customize most aspects of the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX). Therefore, Ubuntu could be a great choice if you feel limited by other operating system options.
There are updated versions of Ubuntu approximately every six months. New versions of the software usually include maintenance and hardware upgrades that help the operating system run smoothly. As such, it’s in your best interest to keep up with the latest version.
However, you may not know if you are running the latest version of Ubuntu. So, you may want to check your operating system and see if you need to update it.
Also, you may need to check your Ubuntu version when installing third-party software. Not all other platforms can support OS updates, so it’s worth researching this before installing them.
Finally, you may encounter some problems while using Ubuntu. If this happens, you can turn to technical support forums like the official Ubuntu forums.
You can enhance your forum experience by providing your Ubuntu version. With this information, other members can help you more accurately.
Wondering if your version of Ubuntu will integrate with other programs? 🤔 It’s easy to check… and this guide is here to help! 💪Click To Tweet
How to Check Your Ubuntu Version on the Command Line (
4 Methods) You can check your Ubuntu version quickly using the command line (
also known as terminal). You can access this tool using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + T.
Once you have the command line open, you can use a few different methods to find out your version of Ubuntu. Let’s explore some of them.
1. Use the command lsb_release -a
The lsb_release command shows you details about your Linux distribution. For example, it displays data for LSB modules. It also displays the ID and authorization number of the distributor.
When you add “-a” to the end of this command, it returns as much information as possible. This method is pretty straightforward, so you might want to use it if you need to figure out your Ubuntu version quickly.
To get started, open your terminal and type this command:
lsb_release -a
Then press your Enter key to return the results. They should see something like this.
You can see your Ubuntu version next to the Description heading. You can also view data about your LSB modules and the code name of your dealer.
2. Use the /etc/lsb-release or /etc/
os-release command The /etc/lsb-release command
can show you your Ubuntu version with separate lines for the release number and its description. It’s designed for older systems, so you might want to use it if you’re running an outdated version of Ubuntu.
You can also get the same information by using the /etc/os-release command. This is compatible with Ubuntu 16.04 and above.
As before, open your terminal and enter one of the above commands. You will need to add “cat” before any of them: cat
etc/os-release
Then, you will see a list of information that includes your Ubuntu version number and your release name. Also, there are some links to the Ubuntu website and resources that can help you.
Ubuntu version and release name” />Ubuntu version and release name
Using the /etc/lsb-release command will return simpler results showing you the version ID, description, and codename. It does not include the links and the name of the Ubuntu version.
3. Check the
/etc/issue file
The /etc/issue file is a text-based document. Contains system identification data.
Using this method is simpler because the command will not display anything but your Ubuntu version. As such, you may want to use this file if you are in a hurry and don’t need to collect any additional information about your system.
As with the previous commands, you will need to enter “cat” before the command. Type this into your terminal:
cat /etc/issue
Press Enter and you will see a single line of text
. <img src="https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/etc-issue.png" alt="Check the /etc/issue file
Your version of Ubuntu is the series of numbers before LTS. You don’t need to do anything else here.
4. Use
the hostnamectl command
Finally, you can use the hostnamectl command. This is typically used when you want to change the hostname of your system. However, it also returns information such as your Ubuntu version and machine ID.
Open your terminal and type this command:
hostnamectl
Next, press the Enter key and you will see a list of information
. <img src="https://kinsta.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/hostnamectl.png" alt="Use hostnamectl command
Here you can see both your Ubuntu version and Ubuntu Linux kernel version. That’s it! Those are the main methods you can use to find the version of your Ubuntu operating system.
How to check your Ubuntu version in the GUI settings?
If you prefer not to use the command line, you can also find your version of Ubuntu in your GUI settings. You may prefer to use this method if you are still getting used to working with the operating system and its design. However, it takes a little longer.
First, head to Show apps. It is the icon at the bottom left of the screen:
Then click Settings. If you can’t find it, type “settings” in the search bar at the top of the screen.
Then select the About tab from the menu on the left. You’ll need to scroll to the bottom of the list of items to find it. Here, you will be able to see your Ubuntu version next to the OS Name heading.
example, we are currently running Ubuntu 20.04.3 on our system. It’s that easy!
Learn more about this popular open source operating system with a little help from this post 🚀Click To Tweet
Summary
Ubuntu is an open source operating system that provides an excellent web development environment. However, it’s not perfect and may not integrate with all the latest software. Therefore, you may need to check your Ubuntu version before installing new programs.
To recap, you can check your Ubuntu version using any of the following methods:
Use the lsb_release -a command. Use the /etc/
- lsb-release or /etc/os-release
- Check the /etc/issue file
- Use the
- hostnamectl
- Check the Ubuntu version in your GUI settings.
command.
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command.
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