How to Check Ubuntu OS and Hardware Information: GUI and Command-Line Guide for Beginners

1. Introduction

Why You Need to Check Your Ubuntu OS

Ubuntu is a popular Linux distribution favored by many users.
However, if you do not accurately understand your system information or OS version, you may encounter the following issues:

• The software you want to install may not be compatible with your current OS version.
• Your OS may have reached its end-of-support date, increasing security risks.
• Hardware or peripheral devices may not function properly.

To avoid such problems, checking your Ubuntu OS information is extremely important.

What You Will Learn in This Article

This article explains practical methods for checking OS information in Ubuntu.
To make it easy for beginners, we provide clear explanations for both GUI (Graphical User Interface) and command-line methods. Additionally, we introduce recommended next steps based on the information you obtain.

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

2. How to Check Ubuntu OS Information Using the GUI

Why the GUI Is Convenient

The Ubuntu GUI (Graphical User Interface) allows beginners to easily view system details through intuitive navigation. Since no commands are required, users unfamiliar with coding can readily use it.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Below are detailed steps to check your OS information using the Ubuntu desktop environment.

1. Open the Settings Menu

• Click the “System Menu” (gear icon) at the top-right of the Ubuntu desktop screen.
• Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.

1. Locate the “About” Section

• When the Settings window opens, click “About” or “Details” on the left menu.
  (The name may vary depending on the Ubuntu version or desktop environment.)

1. Review System Information

• The “About” section displays the following information:
  • OS version (e.g., Ubuntu 22.04 LTS)
  • System architecture (e.g., 64-bit)
  • Hardware details such as memory size and CPU type

Note on Different Desktop Environments

Ubuntu comes with several desktop environments such as GNOME, KDE Plasma, and Xfce.
Since some layouts differ, pay attention to the details below:

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

What to Do If You Can’t Find Information via GUI

If you cannot locate the “About” section, try the following:

1. Enter “About” or “Details” in the Settings search bar.
2. If you are using an older version of Ubuntu, refer to the next section and use command-line options.

3. How to Check Ubuntu OS Information via Command Line

Advantages of Using the Command Line

Using the Ubuntu Terminal allows you to quickly obtain detailed system information without accessing the GUI. It is especially useful when managing remote servers or when the GUI is unavailable. Some details shown here are not visible through the GUI.

Basic Commands for Checking OS Information

1. lsb_release -a command

• Overview: The most common command to retrieve Ubuntu version information.
• Example:
  bash lsb_release -a
• Sample 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 helpful for version management.

1. cat /etc/os-release command

• Overview: Reads OS details directly from a configuration file.
• Example:
  bash cat /etc/os-release
• Sample output:
  NAME="Ubuntu" VERSION="22.04.1 LTS (Jammy Jellyfish)" ID=ubuntu VERSION_ID="22.04"
• Explanation:
  • The “NAME” and “VERSION” fields display OS details.

1. uname -a command

• Overview: Retrieves kernel version and system architecture.
• Example:
  bash uname -a
• Sample 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 architecture (e.g., x86_64).

Useful Shortcut Commands

• lsb_release -d command
• Displays only the “Description” field.
• Example:
  bash lsb_release -d
• Sample output:
  Description: Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS

Command-Line Precautions

• If a command is not found:
• If Ubuntu indicates a command is missing, install the required package:
  bash sudo apt update sudo apt install lsb-release
• Some commands require sudo privileges:
• Administrative rights may be necessary for certain commands.

4. How to Check Hardware Information

Why Hardware Information Matters

When reviewing Ubuntu OS details, understanding hardware resources such as CPU, GPU, and disk space is equally important. These details are useful when:

• Optimizing system performance
• Ensuring software meets installation requirements
• Diagnosing hardware-related issues

Basic Commands for Retrieving Hardware Details

1. Check CPU Information: lscpu

• Overview: Displays detailed CPU specifications.
• Example:
  bash lscpu
• Sample output:
  Architecture: x86_64 CPU(s): 4 Model name: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-8250U CPU @ 1.60GHz
• Explanation:
  • “Architecture” shows CPU architecture.
  • “Model name” identifies the processor.
  • “CPU(s)” indicates available cores.

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

• Overview: Retrieves GPU component details.
• Example:
  bash lspci | grep -i vga
• Sample output:
  00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation UHD Graphics 620
• Explanation:
  • Identifies GPU type and vendor.

1. Check Disk Capacity: df -h

• Overview: Displays disk usage in a human-readable format.
• Example:
  bash df -h
• Sample output:
  Filesystem Size Used Avail Use% Mounted on /dev/sda1 100G 30G 70G 30% /
• Explanation:
  • “Size” shows total disk capacity.
  • “Used” and “Avail” show disk consumption and available space.

How to Apply Hardware Information

Once hardware details are reviewed, you can use them as follows:

• Performance optimization: Identify resource bottlenecks and plan hardware upgrades.
• Troubleshooting: Use CPU and GPU info to diagnose unexpected behavior.
• Preparing for system updates: Confirm whether your hardware meets OS requirements.

Notes When Running Commands

• Accuracy of information: Some results vary depending on system configuration.
• Permissions: Certain hardware details may require administrative rights.

5. What to Do After Checking System Information

Tasks You Should Perform Based on Verified OS Details

Once you confirm Ubuntu OS and hardware details, use them to optimize your system and prevent issues. This section introduces practical examples.

1. Update and Manage Packages

• Overview: After identifying your OS version, apply 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 old packages and unnecessary files.
   bash sudo apt autoremove

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

2. Check Support Status and Upgrade OS

• Overview: Upgrade your OS before support ends to avoid vulnerabilities.
• Steps:

1. Check the current OS support status.
   • Verify via Ubuntu’s official site or run:
     bash ubuntu-support-status
2. Prepare to upgrade to the latest LTS version.
   bash sudo do-release-upgrade

• Note: Always back up your system before upgrading.

3. Confirm Hardware Requirements and Upgrade if Needed

• Overview: Use hardware details to evaluate whether upgrades are necessary.
• Steps:

1. CPU: Check core count and speed before running heavy applications.
2. Memory: Add RAM if usage is high.
   • Check current memory usage:
     bash free -h
3. Storage: Expand or replace the disk if space is insufficient.

4. Backup the System

• Overview: After confirming OS version and configuration, create a system backup.
• Steps:

1. Install a backup tool via Terminal.
   bash sudo apt install timeshift
2. Create a full-system snapshot using Timeshift.
3. Store backups on external or cloud storage.

5. Check Software Compatibility

• Overview: Verify software compatibility before installation.
• Examples:
• Confirm proper Ubuntu versions for Docker or development tools.
• Check recommended OS versions in official documentation.

6. FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: The terminal shows “command not found”. What should I do?

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

1. Update the package list.
   bash sudo apt update
2. Install required packages (e.g. for lsb_release).
   bash sudo apt install lsb-release
   If this does not solve the issue, double-check the command spelling.

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

• Answer:
  Yes, basic commands like lsb_release -a and cat /etc/os-release work on most Ubuntu versions. However, GUI menu labels may differ across versions and desktop environments, so use the command line if GUI navigation is unclear.

Q3: How can I make use of OS information once confirmed?

• Answer:
  Use OS details in the following ways:
• Package updates: Apply updates applicable to your version.
• System upgrades: Move to the latest LTS version if current support has ended.
• Software compatibility: Verify version support before installing applications.

Q4: I cannot find the “About” section in the GUI. What now?

• Answer:
  Try the following:

1. Use the search bar: Enter “About” in the Settings search box.
2. Check your desktop environment: KDE Plasma or Xfce may label it differently, such as “System Information”.
3. Use Terminal: Run:
   bash lsb_release -a

Q5: Is there any risk of accidentally modifying OS or hardware details?

• Answer:
  The commands introduced here only “read” information and do not modify the system. They are safe to use. Just avoid commands that delete or change configurations.

7. Conclusion

Checking Ubuntu OS Information Is Easy and Essential

Verifying OS version and system details is a fundamental practice to use Ubuntu safely and efficiently. It plays a crucial role in:

• Ensuring software compatibility
• Avoiding risks from expired support
• Optimizing overall hardware and system performance

Key Takeaways from This Article

1. Checking via GUI:

• You can easily view OS details in the “About” section of the Settings menu.

1. Checking via command line:

• lsb_release -a and cat /etc/os-release allow fast retrieval of version and architecture details.
• The command line is particularly helpful when managing remote systems or servers.

1. Hardware information:

• Use lscpu and lspci to optimize performance based on CPU and GPU specifications.

1. Post-verification actions:

• Apply updates, confirm compatibility, and plan OS or hardware upgrades as needed.

Next Steps

Based on this guide, try the following:

• Upgrade or optimize your system using OS and hardware information.
• Regularly review system details to maintain a secure environment.
• Consult official documentation or online communities if you need more information.

To enjoy a secure and efficient Ubuntu experience, verifying system details is essential. Put your knowledge into action and enjoy a smoother Ubuntu workflow.