Ubuntu is quite serious about releasing new updates for its users. Their quick releases make information technology difficult for Linux users to remember which version they're currently running on their organisation. However, you lot tin easily bank check the current version of Ubuntu using multiple ways.

In this guide, we volition discuss how you can check the Ubuntu version using the terminal and the GNOME desktop.

How to Check Ubuntu Version

Ubuntu releases new updates every two months. The Long Term Support versions of the operating system are released every ii years. The LTS versions have a back up period of five years, while the standard releases are supported by Ubuntu for but nine months.

Right later on installing Ubuntu, you must check which version of the system you're using on your computer. This will allow you lot to identify if an update is needed or non.

There are various ways to check the electric current Ubuntu version running on your system. You tin can do this by either using the concluding or using the GNOME Desktop.

Find Ubuntu Version Using lsb_release

The lsb_release utility provides the Linux Standard Base of operations information about your current distribution.

To get details related to the current Ubuntu version, simply launch the final by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T and type lsb_release -a. The -a flag stands for All and provides you with all the details related to your organisation.

          lsb_release -a

Your screen will display an output that looks something like this.

          No LSB modules are available.
Benefactor ID: Ubuntu
Clarification: Ubuntu eighteen.04 LTS
Release: 18.04
Codename: bionic

If yous only want to go the description, type lsb_release -d in the terminal. Similarly replacing the -a flag with -c or -r will output the codename and release information respectively.

Cheque Electric current Ubuntu Version Using the /etc/effect File

When you install Ubuntu on your machine, the electric current version details get stored in certain system files on your computer. Yous can then read these files in gild to know which version of the operating system your system is running.

The /etc/consequence file contains information associated with arrangement identification such equally your system'due south version and OS details. To read the content of the /etc/event file, type:

          cat /etc/issue

You will run into an output containing your OS name and version details.

          Ubuntu 18.04 LTS

Using the /etc/os-release File

The os-release file consists of data related to your operating system. The file contains the post-obit data:

  1. OS name
  2. OS version
  3. OS ID
  4. OS ID Like
  5. Pretty Proper noun
  6. Version ID
  7. Home URL
  8. Support URL
  9. Bug Report URL
  10. Privacy Policy URL
  11. Version Codename
  12. Ubuntu Codename

Type the post-obit command in your terminal to read the content of the /etc/os-release file.

          cat /etc/os-release

The following output volition exist displayed on your screen.

          Name="Ubuntu"
VERSION="eighteen.04 LTS (Bionic Beaver)"
ID=ubuntu
ID_LIKE=debian
PRETTY_NAME="Ubuntu 18.04 LTS"
VERSION_ID="18.04"
HOME_URL="https://www.ubuntu.com/"
SUPPORT_URL="https://assist.ubuntu.com/"
BUG_REPORT_URL="https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/"
PRIVACY_POLICY_URL="https://www.ubuntu.com/legal/terms-and-policies/privacy-policy"
VERSION_CODENAME=bionic
UBUNTU_CODENAME=bionic

Using the hostnamectl Command

While the hostnamectl control allows a user to configure their system's hostname, you lot can also check the current version of Ubuntu using this command.

Type hostnamectl in the concluding and press Enter. An output similar to the following snippet will exist presented on the screen.

          Static hostname: linuxize
Icon name: computer-vm
Chassis: vm
Machine ID: f1ce51f447c84509a86afc3ccf17fa24
Boot ID: 2b3cd5003e064382a754b1680991040d
Virtualization: kvm
Operating System: Ubuntu 18.04
LTSKernel: Linux 4.xv.0-22-generic
Architecture: x86-64

The version details can be found in the Operating System field of the output. In the aforementioned snippet, you tin can meet that the arrangement is running Ubuntu 18.04.

Get Ubuntu Version Using GNOME Desktop

For those who are not comfy with the Ubuntu command line, GNOME Desktop allows you to check the current version of Ubuntu graphically. There are many other desktop environments equally well, and you lot can get the current Ubuntu version data in all of them.

To get details on the operating system version:

  1. Click on the small down arrow icon located in the top-right corner of the screen.
    ubuntu system menu
  2. Select the Settings option from the driblet-down menu.
    settings in ubuntu
  3. On the left sidebar, click on the Details selection.
    operating system details ubuntu
  4. The About department includes the version information of the operating system.
    show ubuntu version

Knowing When to Update Your System

Since Ubuntu releases a new update every now and and then, it is important to know which version of the operating system your figurer is running. Although nearly of the fourth dimension, Ubuntu provides a notification about its upcoming releases, sometimes it is better to check for updates manually in case it does not notify you.

While Microsoft Windows is great for beginners who are new to the whole digital world, Ubuntu Linux provides far better functionalities when compared to Windows.

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About The Writer

Deepesh Sharma (111 Articles Published)

Deepesh is the Junior Editor for Linux at MUO. He writes informational guides on Linux, aiming to provide a blissful experience to all newcomers. Not sure almost movies, but if y'all want to talk about applied science, he's your guy.

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