How to Determine OS Versions Using the Command Line

October 11, 2024 / Tutorial

Knowing your system’s OS version is vital for troubleshooting issues, seeking software support, or simply satisfying your curiosity. Using the command line to find your OS version is a valuable skill for both beginners and experts.

This guide will show you how to determine your OS version on Windows and Linux. While graphical interfaces are popular, the command line remains a powerful tool for accessing system details and understanding how your computer operates.

Whether you are using a Windows or Linux VPS, you will learn how to efficiently find your operating system’s version using the command line.

  1. How to determine OS Versions on Windows
  2. How to determine OS Versions on Linux

Finding Your OS Version on Windows:
With numerous users and versions, Windows lets you effortlessly check your operating system’s version using the command line.
Here are two methods: the “systeminfo” command and the “ver” command.

  1. Using the “systeminfo” Command:
    1. Open Command Prompt: Press Win + R, type “cmd,” and hit Enter. You can also find “Command Prompt” in the Start menu.
    2. Enter Command: In the Command Prompt window, type “systeminfo” and press Enter.
    3. Find OS Version: Look for “OS Version” in the output to identify your Windows version.
  2. Using the “ver” Command:
    1. Open Command Prompt: As before, open Command Prompt.
    2. Run Command: Type “ver” and press Enter.
    3. Get OS Version: The output will display your OS version number.

The “systeminfo” command yields more comprehensive system information, but both approaches will display your operating system version. Regardless of your setup, these commands are helpful tools because they work with different versions of Windows. Gaining knowledge about your operating system version facilitates understanding your Windows environment.

Finding Your OS Version on Linux:
Linux is renowned for its flexibility and various distributions. Fortunately, you can easily find your OS version using the command line on any Linux system. Here are two effective methods:

  1. Using the “lsb_release” Command:
    1. Open Terminal: Launch your preferred terminal application.
    2. Enter Command: Type lsb_release -a and press Enter.
    3. See Version: Information about your distribution, including the OS version, will be displayed.
  2. Checking the “/etc/os-release” file:
    1. Open Terminal: As before, open the terminal.
    2. Use “cat” or “grep”: Type cat /etc/os-release or grep PRETTY_NAME /etc/os-release and press Enter.
    3. Get Version: The output will provide your OS version along with additional details.

These methods are compatible with various Linux distributions like Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, and more. They serve as reliable means to obtain the information you need. By using the command line, you not only find your OS version but also gain deeper insights into your Linux distribution, helping you navigate your system with greater confidence.

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