How to update Linux to the latest version available to get the most out of it? step by step guide

Linux has long been a benchmark for free software and the work that can be done in communitysince many of their distributions are in constant development and looking to improve.

It is because of this that, in all its distributions, from time to time updates are developed that aim to improve the user experience. Even though this is the case, many people, especially those who are not computer savvy, wonder about the importance of updates.

In the particular case of linux, your updates are especially important, since they always bring improvements in security, stability and many other aspects.

Why is it important to keep your Linux distribution updated to the latest version?

Necessary, both for Linux and for any other operating systemrealize updates often, since In addition to including new functions, it improves the security and stability of the system.

In the case of a free software operating system, Linux is supported by a large community of developers in all its distributions, so their updates tend to have a lot of new features and compatibility improvements. The main reason to keep your operating system up to date, is to preserve and enhance its stabilitysince old unsupported versions tend to have runtime errors, which are fixed by upgrading the operating system

Distribution Update or Kernel Update? Are they the same or is there a difference?

Of course there is a difference a distro is the operating system, while the kernel is the core. Many times they must update bothboth the distribution and the Kernel. The distro can be found on its official websiteMeanwhile he kernel is in the GNU/Linux official website.

On most Linux distributions, it is possible to find an update toolaccessible from the application browser, which checks for new versions of the operating system and implements the manual update.

In the case of the kernel, requires a complex process, which is not for beginners in Linux management, since an error can affect the operation of the system. It is possible, however, to resort to tools such as Ukuu (Ubuntu kernel update utility) to carry out the Kernel update process.

Learn step by step how to update Linux to the latest version available to improve my operating system

Now what have you seen the importance and benefits to keep your computer’s operating system up to date, We will explain step by step how to update the most popular Linux distributionsin addition to the Kernel to keep your operating system in optimal conditions.

Go for it:

Update on Ubuntu

It can be considered the most used distribution on Linuxso its community goes the extra mile to keep it smooth, secure, and stable with every update.

To easily install the new version of Ubuntu, follow this procedure:

• Open the program finder of Ubuntu.
• Write “software update” and press “Enter”.
• one will come out update center popup. In case an update is available, the window message will say “A new version is available”, press on the buttons “Yes” either “Nope”.
• click on “Yes”.
• The update process will be carried out automatically, you just have to wait.
• As soon as the update is complete, restart the computer to save the changes.

Update on Kali Linux

Unlike Ubuntu, Kali Linux does not have an updaterso it will be necessary to carry out the process through the terminal.

Open the command terminal with the key combination (C+Alt+T) and guide yourself through these steps:

• Check the current version of the system with the commands “lsb_release –a” Y “uname –mrs”. This will display the version of Kali Linux currently installed.
• Enter the command “sudo apt update && sudo apt -y full-upgrade –y” to perform the update with super user permissions
• The information displayed below will tell you that a packet scan is in progressand it will tell you that some of these were installed automaticallyand are no longer required. In this case, enter the command “sudo apt autoremove” to remove such packages.
• The system will request permission to install new packageswhich you will enter “And it is” on the command line.
• Wait for the installation to finish and restart the computer.

The update process will be finished and the changes saved once the computer starts.

All that remains to be done is to check for the new version, for which you need to enter the following commands:

grep VERSION /etc/os-release
VERSION = "2019.4"
VERSION_ID = "2019.4"
uname –a

Update Linux Kernel

For perform kernel update quickly and simply it is necessary to install an external tool. These types of tools are available for most distributions and, in the case of Ubuntu, it is known as Ukuu.

The first step is to install the tool, for which it is necessary to update the repositories using the command terminal:

• Opens the command terminal.
• run the command “sudo apt-add-repository –y ppa:teejee2008/ppa”. This will install the repository in which we will find Ukuu.
• type “sudo apt update” followed by “Sudo apt install ukuu”.
• wait a few seconds until the installation finishes.

As soon as Ukuu is installed, we will only have to execute it with a few command lines to be able to perform the kernel update in a simple and uncomplicated way:

• run the command “ukuu-gtk”.
• A popup window will open in which you will see all the versions of the kernel, the one currently installed and the last one available.
• Select the version you want to install and press “Install”.
• The download and installation process will be done automatically, and it will take several minutes.
• restart the computer once the update is complete.
• Run Ukuu again to check the current kernel version.

We teach you how to update any Linux distribution to its latest version available on any computer

Thanks to the versatility of applicable commands in Linuxit is possible to upgrade your current distribution to its latest single command line version. This method is intended for Debian-based distributionsWhat Ubuntu, Linux Mint and many of the most popular distros.

Let’s see the steps to follow:

from the console

To update your Debian-based distribution to its latest stable version, all you need to do is open the command terminal and run the following line:

• “sudo update-manager –devel-release”

This command will check for a new version of your current distribution and, if one is available, the terminal will carry out the installation process automatically. In case the tool UpdateManager was not installed, this process would give us an error.

To fix it, you just have to install this tool using this command:

• “sudo apt-get install update-manager”

With the command ALT+F2

If don’t want to use the command terminal, Debian based distros they have a shortcut key that allows them to enter an application launcher.

To update your distribution by this method, you must follow these steps:

• press “ALT+F2” on your keyboard.
• enter “update-manager –devel-release” in the text box of the pop-up window that will appear.
• The system will search for an update on the servers corresponding to your distribution, and will carry out the download and update process automatically if necessary.

These are the most up-to-date versions and distributions of Linux that we can find so far

The Well-known Linux distributions are popular due to stability, security, and versatility that they provide, and each update serves to further improve these featuresin addition to adding new functions.

Here are the latest available versions of the most popular distributions:

Ubuntu 21.04

The latest version of what is for many the best Linux-based operating system was released in April 2021 and has a large number of new features and improvements, although with a couple of notable absences:

• It has 9 months of supportuntil January 2021
• Interesting improvements in GNOME Shellsuch as a default dark theme, higher contrast in certain areas, and changing the location of mounted drives.
• improvements of performance.
• python 3.9.

In the midst of all those improvements, which are just a few of the many available, it is necessary to mention the fact that will not officially count with GNOME 40although with some of its tools.

Linux Mint 20.2 “Uma”

The “Uma” version of Mint was released on July 8, 2021and uses the kernel Linux 5.4.0. To be based on Ubuntu 20.4.2includes similar enhancements plus access to desktop environments Cinnamon, Xfce Y MATE.

It includes natively the rigorous programs of any operating system, but improved until its latest update, such as Python 3.8.5, Firefox 89.0 Y LibreOffice in its version 6.4.72. It also has new tools like Bulkyan application that allows fast batch renaming of files, a great improvement in the stability of Wrapinator for file transfer and file explorer Nemo updated to version 5.0.1.

Debian 11

The longest-running distribution of Linux arrives in its version 11, released on August 14, 2021and goes out with the nickname “Bullsey”. It has novelties focused on stability and fluidity, with the discretion that has always characterized Debian. It includes a number of new tools along with updates to desktop environments and software included in previous versions, as well as minor bug fixes and hardware compatibility improvements.

Among the improvements applied to “Bullseye” we can highlight:

• Support until 2026.
• Updated desktop environmentswith access to GNOME 3.38, KDE Plasma 5.20 and Xfce 4.16among others.
• Increased support for remote printing no drivers with package “ipp-usb”.
• Updated Popular Packagesalong with thousands of new packages ready to install and use.

Elementary OS 6 (Odin)

Basic OS has always aimed for a Windows-like aesthetic, making it one of the most appropriate distros for an operating system migration. The new version of Elementary OS highlights this aesthetic a bit with certain elements of Mac OS. This new version was released in August 2021 and it is based on Ubuntu 20.04, which guarantees support until 2025 at least. It also includes improvements in the customization options, giving users the possibility of adapting their system to their needs.

Manjaro 21.1.2 “Pahvo”

It is the most recent version to date, seeing the light September 4, 2021. It came out a week after the previous version and, although it doesn’t have many new features, features many updates to the KDE desktop environment. Its main novelties focus on updating its Kernel. It has Linux 5.14and KDE has received Gear 21.08.1 Y plasma 5.22.5giving greater customization and fluidity to the desktop environment.