By 佐川 直弘 | Naohiro Sagawa (運営者)

※記事内に広告を含みます。Amazonアソシエイトとして適格販売により収入を得ています。　

1. Introduction

Why You Need to Check Your Ubuntu OS Version

Ubuntu is a popular Linux distribution widely supported by users.
However, if you do not accurately identify your OS version and system information, you may encounter the following issues:

• The software you want to install is not compatible with your current OS version.
• Your OS has reached the end of its support period, increasing security risks.
• Your hardware or peripherals may not function properly.

To avoid these problems, it is crucial to check your Ubuntu OS information.

What You Will Learn in This Article

This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to check your OS information in Ubuntu.
For ease of understanding, even for beginners, we will explain both the GUI (Graphical User Interface) method and the command-line method in a clear and simple way. Additionally, we will cover what actions you can take after checking the information.

In the next section, let’s take a closer look at how to check your Ubuntu OS version using the GUI.

2. Checking Your Ubuntu OS Version Using the GUI

Why Using the GUI is Convenient

Ubuntu’s GUI (Graphical User Interface) provides an easy and intuitive way to check system information, making it ideal for beginners. Since no command-line input is required, users unfamiliar with coding can access the necessary information effortlessly.

Step-by-Step Guide

Here, we will explain in detail how to check OS information using Ubuntu’s desktop environment.

1. Open the Settings Menu

• Click on the “System Menu” (gear icon) located in the top-right corner of the Ubuntu desktop.
• From the dropdown menu, select “Settings.”

1. Find the “About” Section

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

1. Check Your System Information

• The “About” section will display the following details:
  • OS Version (e.g., Ubuntu 22.04 LTS)
  • System Architecture (e.g., 64-bit)
  • Hardware details such as memory capacity and CPU type

Differences in Desktop Environments

Ubuntu supports multiple desktop environments (e.g., GNOME, KDE Plasma, Xfce, etc.).
The layout of the settings menu may vary, so keep the following differences in mind:

• GNOME: All system information is available under “Settings” > “About.”
• KDE Plasma: Check under “System Settings” > “System Information.”
• Xfce: Look for system details under “Settings Manager” > “System.”

What to Do If You Can’t Find the Information in the GUI

In some cases, the “About” section may not be available. If this happens, try the following methods:

1. Use the search bar in the Settings window and enter “About” or “System Information.”
2. If you are using an older Ubuntu version, try using the command line method, which we will introduce in the next section.

3. Checking Ubuntu OS Information Using the Command Line

Advantages of Using the Command Line

Using the Ubuntu command line (Terminal) allows you to retrieve system information quickly and in more detail, without relying on the GUI. This is particularly useful when managing remote servers or in cases where the GUI is unavailable. Additionally, the command line provides access to extra information not displayed in the GUI.

Basic Commands to Check OS Information

1. lsb_release -a Command

• Description: The most common command to retrieve 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:
  • The “Description” field displays the full OS version.
  • The “Release” and “Codename” fields are useful for version tracking.

1. cat /etc/os-release Command

• Description: Directly checks OS information from a system file.
• 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:
  • The “NAME” and “VERSION” fields show detailed OS information.

1. uname -a Command

• Description: Retrieves overall system information, including the 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:
  • Displays the kernel version (e.g., 5.15.0-50) and system architecture (e.g., x86_64).

Useful Shortcut Commands

• lsb_release -d Command
• Displays only the “Description” field.
• Example Usage:
  bash lsb_release -d
• Example Output:
  Description: Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS

Important Notes When Using the Command Line

• If a Command Is Not Found
• If a command returns “command not found,” install the required package using the following command:
  bash sudo apt update sudo apt install lsb-release
• Some Commands May Require sudo Privileges
• Certain commands may require administrative (sudo) privileges to execute.

4. Checking Hardware Information

Why Checking Hardware Information Is Important

When verifying Ubuntu OS information, it’s also important to check hardware details such as CPU, GPU, and disk space. This information is useful for:

• Optimizing system performance.
• Ensuring the system meets software installation requirements.
• Diagnosing hardware issues.

Basic Commands to Retrieve Hardware Information

1. Checking CPU Information: lscpu

• Description: Displays detailed CPU information.
• 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” indicates the CPU architecture.
  • “Model name” specifies the processor type.
  • “CPU(s)” shows the number of available cores.

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

• Description: Retrieves GPU information from the system.
• Example Usage:
  bash lspci | grep -i vga
• Example Output:
  00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation UHD Graphics 620
• Explanation:
  • Shows the type and manufacturer of the GPU.

1. Checking Disk Space: df -h

• Description: Displays disk usage and available 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” indicates the total disk capacity.
  • “Used” shows the amount of used space, while “Avail” indicates available space.

How to Utilize Hardware Information

After retrieving hardware details, consider the following:

• Performance Optimization: Identify resource bottlenecks and plan hardware upgrades.
• Troubleshooting: Check for abnormalities in CPU or GPU behavior.
• System Upgrade Preparation: Select the appropriate OS version based on hardware requirements.

Important Notes When Executing Commands

• Accuracy of Information: Some commands may display different results depending on system configurations.
• Permissions: Certain hardware details may require administrative privileges to access.

5. What You Can Do After Checking Your System Information

Tasks to Perform Based on OS Information

Once you have checked your Ubuntu OS and hardware information, use it to optimize your system and prevent issues. This section provides examples of how to make use of the information.

1. Updating and Managing Packages

• Description: After identifying your OS version, apply the latest updates to reduce security risks.
• Steps:

1. Open the terminal and update the package list.
   bash sudo apt update
2. Upgrade the system.
   bash sudo apt upgrade
3. Remove outdated packages and unnecessary files.
   bash sudo apt autoremove

• Tip: If using an LTS version, prioritize stability when planning updates.

2. Checking Support Status and Upgrading the OS

• Description: Before your Ubuntu version reaches the end of its support period, plan an upgrade to avoid security risks.
• Steps:

1. Check the support status of your current OS.
   • You can verify this on the official Ubuntu website or by using the following command:
     bash ubuntu-support-status
2. Prepare to upgrade to the latest LTS version.
   bash sudo do-release-upgrade

• Note: Always back up your data before upgrading.

3. Checking Hardware Requirements and Upgrading

• Description: Use hardware details to assess system compatibility and consider necessary upgrades.
• Steps:

1. CPU: If using resource-intensive applications, check core count and clock speed to determine if an upgrade is needed.
2. Memory: If memory usage is high, consider adding more RAM.
   • Check current usage with:
     bash free -h
3. Storage: If disk space is running low, consider using external storage or replacing your drive.

4. Backing Up Your System

• Description: After verifying your OS version and system configuration, it is recommended to create a system backup.
• Steps:

1. Install a backup tool via terminal.
   bash sudo apt install timeshift
2. Use Timeshift to create a full system snapshot.
3. Save the backup to external storage or cloud services.

5. Checking Software Compatibility

• Description: When installing new software, check compatibility with your current OS version.
• Examples:
• Ensure that Docker or development tools support your version of Ubuntu.
• Verify recommended OS versions in application documentation.

6. FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

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

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

1. Update the package list.
   bash sudo apt update
2. Install the required package (e.g., for lsb_release command).
   bash sudo apt install lsb-release
   If the issue persists, double-check the spelling of the command.

Q2: Can I use these methods on older Ubuntu versions?

• Answer:
  Basic commands like lsb_release -a and cat /etc/os-release work on most Ubuntu versions. However, GUI settings may differ across versions and desktop environments. If using an older version, the command line is recommended.

Q3: What should I do after checking my OS information?

• Answer:
  You can use the information for the following purposes:
• Updating packages: Apply the latest updates compatible with your OS version.
• Upgrading the system: If your OS is no longer supported, upgrade to the latest LTS version.
• Checking software compatibility: Ensure the software you want to install is compatible with your OS.

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

• Answer:
  If the “About” section is missing, try these steps:

1. Use the search bar: In the Settings window, search for “About” or “System Information.”
2. Check for desktop environment differences: In environments other than GNOME (e.g., KDE Plasma, Xfce), the section may be named “System Settings” or “System Information.”
3. Use the command line: If the GUI is unavailable, run the following command in the terminal:
   bash lsb_release -a

Q5: Can I accidentally change OS or hardware information?

• Answer:
  Commands used to check OS and hardware details are “read-only” and do not modify system settings. Therefore, they are safe to use. However, be cautious not to execute commands that involve “deleting” or “modifying” system files.

7. Conclusion

Checking Ubuntu OS Information Is Simple and Essential

Verifying your Ubuntu OS version and system information is fundamental to maintaining a secure and efficient system. It plays a crucial role in the following scenarios:

• Ensuring compatibility with software installation requirements.
• Avoiding security risks due to expired support.
• Optimizing system performance and hardware management.

Key Takeaways from This Guide

1. Checking via GUI:

• The “About” section in the Settings menu allows beginners to easily check OS information.

1. Checking via Command Line:

• Commands like lsb_release -a and cat /etc/os-release provide quick OS version and architecture details.
• The command line is especially useful in remote environments or when the GUI is inaccessible.

1. Checking Hardware Information:

• Commands like lscpu and lspci help check CPU, GPU, and disk space, aiding in system optimization.

1. Actions After Verification:

• Use the information to update packages, upgrade the OS, and verify hardware compatibility.

Next Steps

After going through this guide, consider taking the following actions:

• Use your OS and hardware details to optimize or upgrade your system.
• Regularly check system information to keep your Ubuntu setup up-to-date.
• If you have any uncertainties, refer to official documentation or community support.

Checking system information is essential for maintaining a stable Ubuntu environment. Use this knowledge to enhance your Ubuntu experience!