How to Check Version of Linux OS
In the vast world of Linux operating systems, it is essential to know the version of the OS you are using. Whether you are a seasoned Linux user or a beginner, understanding your Linux OS version can help you identify compatible software, troubleshoot issues, and stay updated with the latest security patches. In this article, we will discuss various methods to check the version of your Linux OS.
Using the hostnamectl Command
One of the simplest ways to check your Linux OS version is by using the hostnamectl command. This command is available in most Linux distributions and provides information about the system’s hostname, operating system, and version. To use this command, open your terminal and type:
“`
hostnamectl
“`
The output will display the OS version along with other information. For example:
“`
Static hostname: localhost.localdomain
Icon name: computer-vm
Machine ID: 1234567890abcdef
Chassis ID: 1234567890abcdef
Hostname: localhost.localdomain
IPv4 address: 192.168.1.1
IPv6 address: 2001:db8::1
OS: Ubuntu 20.04.3 LTS (Focal Fossa)
Machine ID: 1234567890abcdef
Memory: 7.7 GiB
Available memory: 5.5 GiB
Swap space: 0 B
System uptime: 1 day 4:45:27
Load average: 0.00 0.00 0.00
Processes: 123
Users: 1
Threads: 124
seats: 1
“`
From the output, you can see that the OS version is Ubuntu 20.04.3 LTS (Focal Fossa).
Using the lsb_release Command
Another popular command to check the Linux OS version is lsb_release. This command is specifically designed to provide detailed information about the Linux distribution, including the version. To use this command, open your terminal and type:
“`
lsb_release -a
“`
The output will display various details about your Linux distribution, including the OS version. For example:
“`
LSB Version: :core-4.1-amd64:core-4.1-noarch:ubuntu-20.04
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: Ubuntu 20.04.3 LTS
Release: 20.04
Codename: focal
“`
From the output, you can see that the OS version is Ubuntu 20.04.3 LTS (Focal Fossa).
Using the cat Command
For users who prefer a more manual approach, you can use the cat command to display the contents of a file that contains the OS version information. In most Linux distributions, the /etc/os-release file contains this information. To check the OS version using the cat command, open your terminal and type:
“`
cat /etc/os-release
“`
The output will display the contents of the file, including the OS version. For example:
“`
NAME=”Ubuntu”
VERSION=”20.04.3 LTS (Focal Fossa)”
ID=ubuntu
ID_LIKE=debian
PRETTY_NAME=”Ubuntu 20.04.3 LTS”
VERSION_ID=”20.04″
HOME_URL=””
SUPPORT_URL=””
BUG_REPORT_URL=””
PRIVACY_POLICY_URL=”data-privacy”
VERSION_CODENAME=focal
UBUNTU_CODENAME=focal
“`
From the output, you can see that the OS version is Ubuntu 20.04.3 LTS (Focal Fossa).
Conclusion
Knowing the version of your Linux OS is crucial for managing and maintaining your system. By using the hostnamectl, lsb_release, and cat commands, you can easily check the version of your Linux OS. Whether you are troubleshooting an issue or looking for compatible software, these methods will help you stay informed about your system’s OS version.
