How to Check your Debian Linux Version – Easy Way

While using any operating system so it is must to know which version is running on your system because it is the most important thing that every user should have the knowledge. there are some users who have no idea that which version is running on their system, so if you don’t know how to check your Debian Linux version then you are in a good place. in this article, I will let you know on how to check the Debian version or which Debian is running on your system. so, you will learn this all thing in this article just pay attention to each line and follow the same my method.

Related Articles

How to Install Debian 9 on VMware Workstation How to Install Debian 9 on Virtualbox on Windows 10

How to Check your Debian Linux Version

Well, there are three common ways to check your Debian Linux version and in below I will show you step by step. firstly I am sure each method will work but again if any one of them not give your answer then go with the next method. although each way will check different information and detail so I recommend you to test all method. so, let’s look toward those three methods and I prefer you to check each step while you are reading the article.

how to check debian linux version - easy way — how to check Debian Linux version – easy way

Step 1. Checking Debian Linux Version from the Command Line

In the first step, I will walk you through checking Debian version from the command line and if you don’t know how to check any operation system version with command line then here I will show you the easiest method that you can check your Debian Linux version.

How to Install Kali Linux On VMware Workstation How to Download & Install VMware Workstation on Windows

So, get know that the lsb_release utility displays LSB (Linux Standard Base) details about the Linux distribution.

The best method that I prefer you to check the Debian version is to use lsb_release utility where it will display LSB information about the Linux distribution. hands down, this method will work out and remember no matter which desktop environment and which Debian Linux version is running on your system.

$ lsb_release -a

Output

No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID:	Debian
Description:	Debian GNU/Linux 9.8
Release:	9.8
Codename:	stretch

While you give command line then you will see the output and inside output, your Debian version will be shown in the description line. as you can see the above I am using Debian GNU/Linux 9.8.

Well, instead of printing all the above detail you can simply print the description line where it will show you the Debian version by giving command -d switch

$ lsb_release -d

The output should look similar to below:

Description:	Debian GNU/Linux 9.8

Here in above, you learned the first method where it has shown your Debian Linux version that is running on your system so, now I will guide you about the second method that you can check your Debian Version

How to Install Virtualbox 6.0.4 on Ubuntu 18.10 How to Install Ubuntu 18.10 on Virtualbox on Windows

Step 2. Checking Debian Version using the `/etc/issue` file

Sounds good, you have learned about the first method where you can check your Debian Linux version, and you know now that which version is running on your system. now in the second step, I will guide you with the next method that you can check your operating system version.

Here, the following cat-command will display the contains of/etc/issue so, this command contains a system identification text.

$ cat /etc/issue

The output will look something like below:

Debian GNU/Linux 9 \n \l

this one is the second method that you can check your Debian version and you see that how much the method is easy and simple. so, I hope till here you have learned a good bit.

Step 3. Checking Debian Version using the `/etc/os-release` file

Ok, now let’s get know about the third method that you can check your Debian version plus information so, here I will show you how to check your Debian version with another command line.

The command line that will show your Debian version information is/etc/os-release so, this command line is a file where it contains Operating system identification data. remember this command line will be found only on the newer Debian distribution running system.

How to Install MacOS Mojave on Virtualbox on Windows How to Install MacOS High Sierra on Virtualbox

Note: this will work only with Debian 9 and newer version.

$ cat /etc/os-release

The output will look something like below:

PRETTY_NAME="Debian GNU/Linux 9"
NAME="Debian GNU/Linux"
VERSION_ID="9"
VERSION="9"
ID=debian
HOME_URL="https://www.debian.org/"
SUPPORT_URL="https://www.debian.org/support"
BUG_REPORT_URL="https://bugs.debian.org/"

It was the third method and with this command line you will get more information about your Debian version so, if you are using Debian 9 or newer then I recommend you to go with this step.

Step 4. Checking Debian Version using the `hostnamectl` command

In the last step and method, I will guide you about the command line that with this command line you can set the hostname and even you can use it to check your Debian Linux version. So, how, let’s see

Note: this command line work only for Debian 9 and newer version

hostnamectl

Output:

   Static hostname: debian9.localdomain
         Icon name: computer-vm
           Chassis: vm
        Machine ID: a92099e30f704d559adb18ebc12ddac4
           Boot ID: 4224ba0d5fc7489e95d0bbc7ffdaf709
    Virtualization: qemu
  Operating System: Debian GNU/Linux 9
            Kernel: debian 9.8.0-amd64-netinst.iso
      Architecture: x86-64

How to Install Kali Linux in Virtualbox How to install Oracle Virtualbox 6.0 on Windows 7/8/10

In Conclusion

In this post, you learned on how to check Debian Linux versions. as you have seen that I guided you with four steps and with each step and method you can check your Debian Linux version that which version is running on your system. So, I am sure all of the methods will work out but again if you get any problems then feel free to ask me in a comment.