#KERNEL VERSION LINUX HOW TO#
#KERNEL VERSION LINUX INSTALL#
#KERNEL VERSION LINUX UPGRADE#
#KERNEL VERSION LINUX PLUS#

If you have a topic or tutorial suggestion you think we help new Ubuntu users do get in touch using our contact form.Memory management: Keep track of how much memory is used to store what, and where This article is part of our Ubuntu Basics series. Once installed just run the neofetch command from a terminal app: neofetch The app is also available in the repos of other major Linux distros too, including Arch and Linux Mint.

#KERNEL VERSION LINUX INSTALL#

You can install Neofetch on Ubuntu from the Ubuntu Software.

#KERNEL VERSION LINUX PLUS#

It gives you an organized overview of pretty much everything your system is running, including distro name, desktop shell, GTK theme, plus details on ubuntu version, uptime, and memory. But my top tip for those who want to see more system info on the command line or check Ubuntu version, is to install Neofetch, The uname command is my go-to suggestion for checking kernel details. The uname command will instantly tell you what need to know, including more details on the specific kernel version, your OS, and even the date the kernel was installed! Am I Running the Latest Linux Version?Ĭheck your kernel number against that of the latest mainline and stable Linux kernel releases on the following website:Ĭheck the Latest Linux Kernel Release Bonus Tip: Use Neofetch to check To get even more information about your kernel, such as whether it’s 32-bit or 64-bit, you can run the same command again, but this time add the -a flag to the end (‘a’ stands for ‘all’): uname -a The third and fourth numbers relate to which minor revision and security/bug fix release you’re using. The second number is the major revision. In years past an even revision number would denote a stable release, and an odd number a development release however this is no longer the case. At present Linux 4.x is the current series. This number changes the least frequently.

What do these Linux kernel version numbers mean? The output will look similar to this (but with different numbers, of course) 4.14.0-16-generic The uname command instantly tells you which Linux kernel version you’re using. Open the Terminal app from your systems application menu (or press ctrl + alt + t) and run the following command: uname -r The quickest way to find the Linux kernel version you’re currently using is to use the command line.

#KERNEL VERSION LINUX UPGRADE#

You need to upgrade the Linux kernel to get your latest gadget or peripheral working just right.Įxplanation over, lets see how to quickly find your Ubuntu kernel version number (or that of any other distro) Find Linux Kernel Version Support for new hardware is often kernel-specific too.

Of course, there may be other reasons why you want to know which version of Linux you’re running.

#KERNEL VERSION LINUX HOW TO#

Sometimes (like this month, with the whole Spectre and Meltdown security issues) it can be helpful to know what version of Linux you’re running on as different security issues affect different kernel versions.īy knowing which kernel version your Linux distro is using, you’ll be better placed to tell whether you should upgrade your kernel or not (and if you do, you’ll then know how to double-check to make sure you’re in the clear). Security issues and hardware support mean it’s important to know which kernel you’re on New versions of the Linux kernel are released regularly, including both major releases with new features, performance optimisations, and hardware support, and minor releases that carry critical security fixes or bug patches. The Linux kernel is what allows everything you see on your computer to be there it’s responsible for managing hardware resources, allocating memory, allowing processes to run, to communicate and to do what you need them to do. But the ‘for dummies’ way to describe it is as the engine of your operating system, atop which everything else sits. Well, there are plenty of in-depth, super complex definitions which describe what the Linux kernel is in detail. One thing unites every Linux distro out there, from Ubuntu to Fedora, Solus to Arch: the Linux kernel. Check Kernel Version Tux is the Linux mascot Learn how to check Linux kernel version on Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and related Linux distributions, simply by running one single command.Īll you need is a working keyboard, a few fingers, and a terminal app of your choice.īefore we share the command to run to check your kernel version, let’s quickly recap the reasons why you might want to find your Linux kernel version in the first place.

Kernel version linux