What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
The fastest reliable check is Settings → System → About on Ubuntu Desktop, or lsb_release -a in Terminal. For scripts, read VERSION_ID from /etc/os-release. These methods identify the Ubuntu distribution release; uname -r identifies the running kernel instead.
Choose the method that fits your system
| Method | Best for | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Settings | Desktop users who want a visual answer | May show only the series, such as 14.04 LTS, rather than a point release such as 14.04.1 LTS |
lsb_release -a |
A complete human-readable release summary | Requires Terminal and the lsb_release utility |
cat /etc/os-release |
Scripts and machine-readable identification | Displays several fields that you must interpret |
hostnamectl |
A quick summary on systemd-based installations | Less focused than the distribution-specific files |
cat /etc/issue |
A quick banner displayed in a terminal | Not a dependable detailed or scripting interface |
1. Check the version in Ubuntu Settings
On a current Ubuntu Desktop installation:
- Open Settings.
- Select System, then About.
- Read the Operating System field.
This is the simplest option when you have a graphical desktop. If the field shows only a series such as 22.04 LTS, it has not necessarily displayed the point-release detail. Use the terminal method when an exact value is required.
2. Use System Settings → Details on older Ubuntu desktops
Unity-era Ubuntu instructions use System Settings → Details. That panel can identify the release, but its display may be abbreviated—for example, 14.04 LTS instead of 14.04.1 LTS. The menu belongs to an older desktop layout, so use Settings → System → About on modern Ubuntu rather than looking for the old Details screen.
3. Run lsb_release in Terminal
Press Ctrl+Alt+T to open Terminal, then run:
lsb_release -aRead the Description line for the Ubuntu release. The command also reports release and codename fields. If you need only the description, use:
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →#1 Best Overall
lsb_release --descriptionThis is the clearest all-purpose command when you are reporting a machine configuration to someone else. It also works when no graphical desktop is available.
4. Read /etc/os-release
Ubuntu stores vendor-defined operating-system identification values in /etc/os-release. Display them with:
cat /etc/os-releaseFor automation, the two most useful fields are:
ID— the operating-system identifier, normallyubuntu.VERSION_ID— the numeric release identifier, such as22.04.
Ubuntu’s os-release specification gives /etc/os-release precedence. If that file is missing, use /usr/lib/os-release; do not merge values from both files. The file is intended to be supplied by the operating system and generally should not be edited by an administrator.
Because this output is structured as key-value data, it is a better foundation for scripts than a graphical label or the free-form banner in /etc/issue.
5. Run hostnamectl
In Terminal, run:
hostnamectlInspect the operating-system information in the summary. hostnamectl is a convenient overview on systemd-based Ubuntu systems, but it also reports hostname and other machine information. When the specific question is “which Ubuntu release is installed?”, lsb_release or /etc/os-release is more direct.
6. Display /etc/issue
For a short identification banner, run:
cat /etc/issueThis can provide a quick visual clue in a local or remote terminal. Treat it as a convenience display, not as the authoritative interface for detailed release detection or automation; use /etc/os-release when a script needs a stable identification field.
Do not confuse the Ubuntu release with the kernel version
The command below answers a different question:
uname -rIt prints the running Linux kernel release. A kernel can be updated while the Ubuntu distribution remains on the same release, so this value should not be reported as the Ubuntu version. Use it when troubleshooting or documenting the kernel specifically.
Rank #4
Ubuntu version numbers and support status are separate
Finding the installed release does not tell you whether it is still supported. Ubuntu documentation describes a release cadence of a new version every six months, with every fourth release—issued every two years in April since 2006—receiving Long Term Support. Check Ubuntu’s current release and support information separately when end-of-support or upgrade eligibility is the real concern.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchQuick Recap
Best Value
A practical decision path
- If you are at a desktop, open Settings → System → About.
- If you need an unambiguous human-readable answer, run
lsb_release -a. - If a script needs the release identifier, read
VERSION_IDfrom/etc/os-release. - If you only need a quick system summary, try
hostnamectlorcat /etc/issue, then verify ambiguous results withlsb_releaseoros-release. - If the question concerns the kernel rather than Ubuntu itself, run
uname -r.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
