How to Check Linux Version

Are you using a Linux computer? Are you not sure which version of Linux you are using? There are many different Linux distributions that function very differently. Some distributions have a different desktop environment with different features. Sometimes you may need to figure out which desktop environment you are using. Additionally, the Linux kernel, which is the core component of all Linux distributions gets updated frequently. This wikiHow article teaches you how to check which version of Linux you are using as well as which Linux distribution you are using.

Method 1

Using the Terminal

1. Press the Terminal

   . It normally has an icon that resembles a black screen with a white cursor. Click the Terminal icon in the Apps menu or press Ctrl + Alt + T to open the Terminal.
2. Type cat /etc/*-release and press ↵ Enter. This shows you which Linux distribution you are using. You can see which Linux distribution you are using next to "NAME=" or "VERSION_Distributor ID" and it will say which version of the Linux distribution you are using next to "Release."

Type echo $XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP and press ↵ Enter. This prints out your current desktop environment (i.e. "ubuntu:GNOME").

Type uname -mrs and press ↵ Enter. This displays which version of the Linux kernel you are using as well as what architecture you are using. It will say what version of the Linux kernel you are using after "Linux" at the beginning of the output return. It says what architecture you are using at the end of the output return. If it says "x86-32" or just "x86," you are using a 32-bit system. If it says "x86-64" or "x64," you are using a 64-bit system.