Introduction
If you’re an Ubuntu user, it’s important to know what version of the distro you’re running. Perhaps you need to troubleshoot an issue or ensure compatibility with certain software. Whatever the reason, not knowing your Ubuntu version can be frustrating. Luckily, there are several methods to check the version, and we’ll explore them in this article.
Method 1: Using the terminal
The terminal is a powerful tool in Ubuntu, and it can be used to check your version quickly. The easiest way to do this is to use the “lsb_release -a” command. This command will display all the information related to your Ubuntu installation, including the version.
To use this command:
1. Open a terminal window by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard.
2. Type “lsb_release -a” and press Enter.
3. The version of Ubuntu you’re running will be displayed in the “Description” field.
Method 2: Checking the “System Details” section
Ubuntu includes a “System Details” section that provides detailed information about your system. This section includes your Ubuntu version, among other things.
To find your Ubuntu version using this method:
1. Click on the “Activities” button in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Type “Settings” and click on the “Settings” icon.
3. Scroll down to the bottom of the left-hand sidebar and click on “Details.”
4. Your Ubuntu version will be displayed in the “Overview” section.
Method 3: Checking the Ubuntu release notes
Ubuntu release notes provide information about new features and changes in each version of the distro. These notes can be helpful if you’re unsure which version you’re running.
To find your Ubuntu version using this method:
1. Go to the Ubuntu release notes page (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Releases).
2. Scroll down to the section for the release date of your installation.
3. Your Ubuntu version will be listed next to the release name.
Method 4: Checking the contents of /etc/issue file
The “/etc/issue” file is a system file that contains information about your Ubuntu installation, including the version.
To find your Ubuntu version using this method:
1. Open a terminal window by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard.
2. Type “cat /etc/issue” and press Enter.
3. The version of Ubuntu you’re running will be displayed.
Method 5: Using the graphical user interface
If you prefer to use a graphical user interface (GUI) to check your Ubuntu version, you can find this option in the “Settings” application.
To find your Ubuntu version using this method:
1. Click on the “Activities” button in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Type “Settings” and click on the “Settings” icon.
3. Click on “About” in the left-hand sidebar.
4. Your Ubuntu version will be displayed in the “Overview” section.
Method 6: Checking the output of the “uname” command
Another method to check the version of Ubuntu is to use the “uname” command. This command displays information about your system, including the kernel version.
To find your Ubuntu version using this method:
1. Open a terminal window by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard.
2. Type “uname -a” and press Enter.
3. Your Ubuntu version will be displayed in the output, in the “Ubuntu” section.
Method 7: Using the “lsb_release” command
The “lsb_release” command can also be used to check your Ubuntu version, as we saw in method 1. However, this command has additional options that can be used to display only the version information.
To find your Ubuntu version using this method:
1. Open a terminal window by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard.
2. Type “lsb_release -r” and press Enter.
3. Your Ubuntu version will be displayed in the output, in the “Release:” section.
Conclusion
In conclusion, checking the version of Ubuntu is simple and can be done using any of the methods provided in this article. From the terminal to the graphical user interface, each method provides quick access to the information you need to troubleshoot issues or ensure compatibility with software. If you’re still unsure which method to use, try them all and find the one that works best for you.
