How to Check Ubuntu OS Version & Hardware | Guide for Linux Users

1. Introduction

Why You Need to Check Your Ubuntu OS Version

Ubuntu is a popular Linux distribution favored by many users.
However, without accurately knowing your current OS version and system information, you might encounter issues such as:

 
• Software you want to install isn’t compatible with your current OS version.

 

• Your OS support has ended, leading to increased security risks.

 

• Hardware or peripherals not functioning correctly.

To avoid these problems, checking your Ubuntu OS information is crucial.

What You’ll Learn in This Article

This article explains the specific steps to check your OS information on Ubuntu.
We’ll clearly outline both the GUI (Graphical User Interface) method and the command-line method, making it easy for beginners to understand. Furthermore, we’ll suggest the next steps to take based on the information you’ve gathered.

In the next section, let’s dive into how to check your Ubuntu OS using the GUI.

2. Checking Ubuntu OS Information Using the GUI

Why GUI is Convenient for Checking Information

Ubuntu’s GUI (Graphical User Interface) offers an intuitive and easy way for beginners to check information. Since it doesn’t require using commands, users who are not accustomed to coding can quickly get started.

Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s a detailed guide on how to check your OS information using the Ubuntu desktop environment.

 
1. Open Settings

 
• Click on the “System Menu” (gear icon) in the top right corner of your Ubuntu desktop.

 

• Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.

 
1. Find the “About” Section

 
• Once the Settings window opens, click on “About” or “Details” from the left-hand menu.
  (The exact name might vary depending on your Ubuntu version and desktop environment.)

 
1. Verify System Information

 
• The “About” section will display information such as:
   
  • OS Version (e.g., Ubuntu 22.04 LTS)

   

  • System Architecture (e.g., 64-bit)

   

  • Hardware information, including memory capacity and CPU type.

Be Aware of Desktop Environment Differences

Ubuntu comes with various desktop environments (e.g., GNOME, KDE Plasma, Xfce).
The layout of the settings menu might differ in some environments, so pay attention to these variations:

 
• GNOME: All system information is consolidated under “Settings” > “About.”

 

• KDE Plasma: You can find it under “System Settings” > “System Information.”

 

• Xfce: Look for options within “Settings Manager” > “System.”

Troubleshooting: What if You Can’t Find the Information in GUI?

Occasionally, you might not find the “About” section. In such cases, try the following methods:

 
1. Type “About” or “Details” into the search bar of the Settings window.

 

2. Your Ubuntu might be an older version; consider using the command line as shown in the next section.

3. Checking Ubuntu OS Information Using the Command Line

Benefits of Command-Line Checks

Using the Ubuntu command line (terminal) allows you to quickly obtain detailed information without needing the GUI. This is particularly useful when managing a server remotely or when the GUI is unavailable. Additionally, the command line can provide extra information not displayed in the GUI.

Essential Commands to Check OS Information

 
1. lsb_release -a Command

 
• Overview: This is the most common command to get Ubuntu version information.

 

• Example Usage:
  bash lsb_release -a

 

• Example Output:
  Distributor ID: Ubuntu Description: Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS Release: 22.04 Codename: jammy

 

• Explanation:
   
  • “Description” shows detailed OS information.

   

  • “Release” and “Codename” are useful for version management.

 
1. cat /etc/os-release Command

 
• Overview: Directly checks OS information from the file containing system details.

 

• Example Usage:
  bash cat /etc/os-release

 

• Example Output:
  NAME="Ubuntu" VERSION="22.04.1 LTS (Jammy Jellyfish)" ID=ubuntu VERSION_ID="22.04"

 

• Explanation:
   
  • You can check OS details in the “NAME” and “VERSION” fields.

 
1. uname -a Command

 
• Overview: Retrieves overall system information, including kernel version and architecture.

 

• Example Usage:
  bash uname -a

 

• Example Output:
  Linux ubuntu-desktop 5.15.0-50-generic #56~20.04.1-Ubuntu SMP Fri Sep 30 11:21:37 UTC 2022 x86_64 GNU/Linux

 

• Explanation:
   
  • You can see the kernel version (e.g., 5.15.0-50) and architecture (e.g., x86_64).

Handy Shortcut Command

 
• lsb_release -d Command

 

• Useful if you only want to display the “Description.”

 

• Example Usage:
  bash lsb_release -d

 

• Example Output:
  Description: Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS

Important Notes for Command-Line Usage

 
• Command Not Found

 

• If a specific command shows “command not found,” install the package using the following steps:
  bash sudo apt update sudo apt install lsb-release

 

• sudo Permissions May Be Required

 

• Some commands might require administrator privileges (sudo).

4. How to Check Hardware Information

Why Check Hardware Information?

When checking Ubuntu OS information, it’s also important to understand your hardware details like CPU, GPU, and disk space. This information is valuable in the following scenarios:

 
• Optimizing system performance.

 

• Confirming software installation requirements are met.

 

• Diagnosing hardware issues.

Basic Commands to Retrieve Hardware Information

 
1. Check CPU Information: lscpu

 
• Overview: Displays detailed information about your CPU.

 

• Example Usage:
  bash lscpu

 

• Example Output:
  Architecture: x86_64 CPU(s): 4 Model name: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-8250U CPU @ 1.60GHz

 

• Explanation:
   
  • “Architecture” refers to the CPU architecture.

   

  • “Model name” is the processor’s name.

   

  • “CPU(s)” indicates the number of available cores.

 
1. Check GPU Information: lspci | grep -i vga

 
• Overview: Retrieves GPU information within your system.

 

• Example Usage:
  bash lspci | grep -i vga

 

• Example Output:
  00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation UHD Graphics 620

 

• Explanation:
   
  • You can identify the type and manufacturer of your GPU.

 
1. Check Disk Space: df -h

 
• Overview: Shows disk usage and free space in a human-readable format.

 

• Example Usage:
  bash df -h

 

• Example Output:
  Filesystem Size Used Avail Use% Mounted on /dev/sda1 100G 30G 70G 30% /

 

• Explanation:
   
  • “Size” is the total disk capacity.

   

  • “Used” is the amount of space used, and “Avail” is the free space.

Application: Leveraging Hardware Information

After checking hardware information, you can apply it in various ways:

 
• Performance Optimization: Identify insufficient resources and plan hardware upgrades.

 

• Troubleshooting: Use it to check for abnormal GPU or CPU behavior.

 

• System Update Preparation: Select the optimal OS version based on hardware requirements.

Important Considerations When Running Commands

 
• Information Accuracy: Some commands depend on system settings, so the displayed content may vary.

 

• Permissions: Obtaining detailed hardware information may require administrator privileges.

5. What You Can Do After Checking

Tasks to Perform Based on OS Information

Once you’ve checked your Ubuntu OS and hardware information, you can use it to optimize your system and prevent issues. This section provides concrete examples of how to leverage the information you’ve gathered.

1. Package Updates and Management

 
• Overview: After confirming your current OS version, it’s crucial to apply the latest updates to reduce security risks.

 

• Steps:

 
1. Open a terminal and update the package list:
   bash sudo apt update

 

2. Upgrade your entire system:
   bash sudo apt upgrade

 

3. Remove old packages and unnecessary files:
   bash sudo apt autoremove

 
• Key Point: If you’re using an LTS version, plan your updates with stability in mind.

2. Checking Support End-of-Life and OS Upgrade

 
• Overview: Planning an upgrade before your Ubuntu support expires helps mitigate security risks.

 

• Steps:

 
1. Check the support information for your current OS:
    
   • You can check on the official Ubuntu website or using the following command:
     bash ubuntu-support-status

 

2. Prepare to upgrade to the latest LTS version:
   bash sudo do-release-upgrade

 
• Caution: Always back up your system before upgrading.

3. Checking Hardware Requirements and Upgrades

 
• Overview: Based on your hardware information, check system requirements and consider upgrades if necessary.

 

• Steps:

 
1. CPU: If you’re using demanding applications, check core count and clock speed and consider upgrading.

 

2. Memory: If memory usage is high, consider adding more RAM.
    
   • To check current usage:
     bash free -h

 

3. Storage: If disk space is low, consider using external storage or replacing your drive.

4. System Backup

 
• Overview: After checking your OS version and system configuration, it’s highly recommended to create a system backup.

 

• Steps:

 
1. Install a backup tool via the terminal:
   bash sudo apt install timeshift

 

2. Create a full system snapshot using Timeshift.

 

3. Save your backup to external storage or the cloud.

5. Software Compatibility Check

 
• Overview: When installing new software, check its compatibility based on the OS information you’ve gathered.

 

• Examples:

 

• Confirm the appropriate Ubuntu version for installing Docker or development tools.

 

• Check recommended versions in the application’s official documentation.

6. FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: When I run a command in the terminal, it says “command not found.” What should I do?

 
• Answer:
  If a specific command shows “command not found,” the necessary package might not be installed. Try the following steps:

 
1. Update your package list:
   bash sudo apt update

 

2. Install the required package (e.g., for the lsb_release command):
   bash sudo apt install lsb-release
   If this doesn’t resolve the issue, double-check the command’s spelling.

Q2: Can I use the methods in this article with older Ubuntu versions?

 
• Answer:
  Basic commands (e.g., lsb_release -a and cat /etc/os-release) are generally common across many Ubuntu versions. However, GUI settings menus may differ depending on the version and desktop environment. For older versions, we recommend using the command line.

Q3: After checking my OS information, how can I best utilize it?

 
• Answer:
  The OS information you’ve gathered can be used in the following ways:

 

• Package Updates: Apply the latest packages suitable for your OS version.

 

• System Upgrades: If support has ended, upgrade to the latest LTS version.

 

• Software Compatibility: Check if applications you plan to install are compatible with your current OS version.

Q4: I can’t find the “About” section in the GUI. What should I do?

 
• Answer:
  If you can’t find “About,” try these steps:

 
1. Use the Search Bar: Type “About” or “Details” into the search bar of the Settings window.

 

2. Check Desktop Environment Differences: In environments other than GNOME (e.g., KDE Plasma or Xfce), it might be named “System Settings” or “System Information.”

 

3. Use the Command Line: If GUI checking is difficult, open a terminal and run the following command:
   bash lsb_release -a

Q5: Is there a risk of accidentally changing OS or hardware information?

 
• Answer:
  The commands for checking OS and hardware information are designed to “read” information and do not modify your system. Therefore, you can use them safely. However, always be careful not to accidentally execute commands that involve “deletion” or “modification.”

7. Conclusion

Checking Ubuntu OS Information is Easy and Important

Confirming your Ubuntu OS version and system information is fundamental for safely and efficiently using your system. It plays a crucial role, especially in situations like:

 
• Verifying software installation requirements.

 

• Avoiding security risks due to expired support.

 

• Optimizing hardware and overall system performance.

Key Takeaways from This Article

 
1. GUI Method for Checking:

 
• Using the “About” section in the Settings menu makes it easy for beginners to check OS information.

 
1. Command-Line Method for Checking:

 
• Commands like lsb_release -a and cat /etc/os-release allow you to quickly retrieve OS version and architecture information.

 

• The command line is especially useful in remote environments or when the GUI is unavailable.

 
1. Checking Hardware Information:

 
• Use commands such as lscpu and lspci to check CPU, GPU, and disk space, aiding in system optimization.

 
1. Actions After Checking:

 
• You can use this information for next steps like package updates, OS upgrades, and checking hardware requirements.

Next Steps

Based on this article, consider taking the following actions:

 
• Implement system upgrades or optimizations based on your OS and hardware information.

 

• Regularly check system information to keep it up-to-date.

 

• If you have any questions, utilize official documentation and relevant communities for solutions.

To use Ubuntu safely and efficiently, checking system information is essential. Leverage this knowledge to enjoy a smooth Ubuntu experience.