How To Check Linux Mint Version – Checking System Release Information

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Linux Mint version appears when you run `cat /etc/linuxmint/info` or use the `lsb_release -a` command. If you’re wondering how to check Linux Mint version, you’ve come to the right place. Knowing your exact system version helps with troubleshooting, software compatibility, and security updates. This guide covers every method—from terminal commands to GUI tools—so you can find your version fast.

Linux Mint is one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions. It’s based on Ubuntu and comes in several editions like Cinnamon, MATE, and Xfce. Each release has a version number and codename, such as “21.3 Virginia” or “20.3 Una.” Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned user, checking your version is a basic but essential skill.

How To Check Linux Mint Version

The quickest way is using the terminal. Open your terminal emulator from the menu or press Ctrl+Alt+T. Then type one of these commands:

  • cat /etc/linuxmint/info
  • lsb_release -a
  • hostnamectl

Each command gives slightly different output. The first one shows Mint-specific details like version number, codename, and edition. The second shows both Mint and Ubuntu base info. The third gives system-wide info including OS version.

Let’s break down each method step by step.

Using The Terminal Command Cat /Etc/linuxmint/info

This is the most direct method. It reads a file that contains your Mint version. Here’s what to do:

  1. Open a terminal.
  2. Type cat /etc/linuxmint/info and press Enter.
  3. You’ll see output like:
RELEASE=21
CODENAME=Vanessa
EDITION=Cinnamon
DESCRIPTION="Linux Mint 21 Vanessa"

The RELEASE line shows the major version number. CODENAME is the project name. EDITION tells you which desktop environment you’re using. This file is always present on any Linux Mint installation.

If you get a “No such file or directory” error, you’re probably not on Linux Mint. This file is unique to Mint systems.

Using Lsb_release -A Command

The lsb_release utility is part of the Linux Standard Base. It works on many distributions. On Mint, it shows both the Mint version and the underlying Ubuntu base. Run it like this:

  1. Open terminal.
  2. Type lsb_release -a.
  3. Output example:
No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Linuxmint
Description: Linux Mint 21
Release: 21
Codename: Vanessa

Notice it says “Distributor ID: Linuxmint” not Ubuntu. This confirms you’re on Mint. The Release and Codename match the info file. If you only want the description line, use lsb_release -d.

Sometimes lsb_release isn’t installed by default. If you get “command not found”, install it with sudo apt install lsb-release.

Using Hostnamectl Command

This command shows system hostname and operating system details. It’s part of systemd. Type hostnamectl in terminal. Output looks like:

Static hostname: my-laptop
Icon name: computer-laptop
Chassis: laptop
Machine ID: xxxxxx
Boot ID: xxxxxx
Operating System: Linux Mint 21
Kernel: Linux 5.15.0-91-generic
Architecture: x86-64

The “Operating System” line tells you the Mint version. This method is less detailed than the first two but works well for a quick glance.

Using Neofetch Or Screenfetch

Neofetch and screenfetch are system information tools that display a logo and details. They’re not installed by default but are popular. To use them:

  1. Install neofetch: sudo apt install neofetch
  2. Run neofetch in terminal.
  3. You’ll see a colorful ASCII logo with OS, kernel, uptime, packages, and more.

The OS line shows “Linux Mint 21 Vanessa” or similar. Screenfetch works the same way. These tools give a nice visual overview.

Checking Version In The GUI

If you prefer a graphical interface, Linux Mint has a system info tool. Here’s how to access it:

  1. Click the Menu button (bottom-left corner).
  2. Type “System Info” in the search bar.
  3. Open the “System Info” application.
  4. Look for “System Information” section. It shows “Linux Mint 21 Vanessa” and edition.

Alternatively, go to Menu > Preferences > System Info. The window displays version, kernel, memory, and processor details. This method is great for beginners who aren’t comfortable with terminal.

Checking Version From The Login Screen

When you boot your computer, the login screen sometimes shows the Mint version. Look at the bottom-left corner or the top bar. On Cinnamon edition, you might see “Linux Mint 21 Vanessa” near the clock. This isn’t always present, but it’s worth checking.

Using The /Etc/os-release File

This file is standard across many Linux distributions. It contains OS identification data. Run cat /etc/os-release in terminal. Output includes:

NAME="Linux Mint"
VERSION="21 (Vanessa)"
ID=linuxmint
ID_LIKE=ubuntu
VERSION_ID="21"

This is another reliable method. The VERSION line gives the full version string. ID_LIKE shows it’s based on Ubuntu.

Checking The Update Manager

Linux Mint’s Update Manager also displays version info. Open it from Menu > Administration > Update Manager. Look at the top of the window. It says “Linux Mint 21 Vanessa” or similar. This is handy because you’re already there to install updates.

Using The /Etc/issue File

The /etc/issue file contains a short system identification string. Type cat /etc/issue. Output might be “Linux Mint 21 Vanessa \n \l”. This is a legacy method but still works.

Checking Version From The Command History

If you’ve previously checked your version, the command might be in your history. Type history | grep -i version to see past commands. This is a trick for when you forget how you checked before.

Why Knowing Your Mint Version Matters

Different versions have different software repositories. For example, Linux Mint 20.x uses Ubuntu 20.04 base, while 21.x uses Ubuntu 22.04. Installing software meant for a newer version might cause dependency issues. Security updates also vary by version. End-of-life versions stop recieving updates, so you need to upgrade.

Knowing your edition (Cinnamon, MATE, Xfce) helps with troubleshooting desktop-specific problems. Some guides assume you’re using Cinnamon. If you’re on MATE, steps might differ.

Common Mistakes When Checking Version

New users sometimes confuse the kernel version with the Mint version. The kernel is the core of the OS, but it’s not the same as the distribution version. For example, “Linux 5.15.0-91-generic” is the kernel, not Mint 5.15. Always look for “Linux Mint” or “21” in the output.

Another mistake is using uname -a which only shows kernel info, not Mint version. That command is useful for kernel details but not for distribution version.

Some users try cat /etc/*release which shows multiple files. This works but can be confusing. Stick to the specific files mentioned above.

What If Commands Don’t Work?

If you get “command not found” for lsb_release, install it with sudo apt install lsb-release. For neofetch, install with sudo apt install neofetch. If cat /etc/linuxmint/info fails, you might not be on Linux Mint. Double-check your distribution with cat /etc/os-release.

Sometimes the info file is missing due to a partial upgrade. In that case, use lsb_release -a or check the GUI.

Checking Version On Older Mint Releases

Older versions like Linux Mint 19.x or 18.x use the same methods. The commands are the same. The output will show different codenames like “Tara” or “Sarah”. The file paths haven’t changed across versions.

If you’re on a very old version like Mint 17, some commands might not exist. Use cat /etc/issue or cat /etc/lsb-release as fallbacks.

Automating Version Checks

If you manage multiple Mint systems, you can automate version checking with a script. For example:

#!/bin/bash
cat /etc/linuxmint/info

Save it as check-mint-version.sh, make it executable with chmod +x, and run it. This saves time on remote servers or many machines.

Using Dmidecode For System Info

The dmidecode command reads hardware information from the BIOS. It doesn’t show the Mint version directly, but it can help identify the system. Type sudo dmidecode -t system to see manufacturer and product name. This is useful for hardware compatibility checks.

Checking Version From The Boot Menu

When you boot your computer, the GRUB menu sometimes shows the kernel version but not the Mint version. However, if you have multiple kernels installed, you can see kernel versions which hint at the Mint version. For example, kernel 5.15 is typical for Mint 21.

Using Inxi For Detailed Info

Inxi is a system information tool. Install it with sudo apt install inxi. Then run inxi -S to see system info. Output includes:

System: Host: my-laptop Kernel: 5.15.0-91-generic x86_64 bits: 64 Desktop: Cinnamon 5.6.8 Distro: Linux Mint 21 Vanessa

The Distro line shows the exact version. Inxi gives more details like desktop version and kernel.

Checking Version From The Software Manager

Open Software Manager from the menu. Look at the bottom of the window. It sometimes shows “Linux Mint 21” in the status bar. This is a subtle indicator but works.

Using The /Etc/lsb-release File

This file is similar to /etc/os-release. Run cat /etc/lsb-release. Output:

DISTRIB_ID=LinuxMint
DISTRIB_RELEASE=21
DISTRIB_CODENAME=Vanessa
DISTRIB_DESCRIPTION="Linux Mint 21 Vanessa"

This is another reliable source. It’s used by the lsb_release command internally.

Checking Version Remotely Via SSH

If you need to check version on a remote Mint machine, SSH into it first. Then run any of the terminal commands. For example:

  1. ssh user@remote-ip
  2. cat /etc/linuxmint/info

This works the same as local. No special tools needed.

Understanding Version Numbers And Codenames

Linux Mint versions follow a pattern. Major versions are 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, etc. Each has a point release like 21.1, 21.2, 21.3. Codenames are alphabetical: “Rebecca” (17.1), “Sylvia” (18.3), “Tricia” (19.3), “Ulyssa” (20.1), “Vanessa” (21), “Vera” (21.1), “Victoria” (21.2), “Virginia” (21.3).

Knowing the codename helps when searching for specific guides or bug fixes. For example, “Linux Mint 21.3 Virginia” has specific known issues.

What To Do If Your Version Is Outdated

If you’re on an older version that’s no longer supported, you should upgrade. Linux Mint provides upgrade instructions on their website. Back up your data first. Then use the Update Manager to upgrade to the next major version. For example, from 20.3 to 21.

You can check support status on the Mint blog or Wikipedia. End-of-life versions stop recieving security updates, which is a risk.

Using The Terminal For A Quick One-Liner

If you want just the version number without extra text, use:

cat /etc/linuxmint/info | grep RELEASE | cut -d= -f2

This outputs just “21” or whatever your version is. You can alias this in your .bashrc for quick access.

Checking The Desktop Environment Version

Sometimes you need the desktop version, not just the Mint version. For Cinnamon, run cinnamon --version. For MATE, mate-about --version. For Xfce, xfce4-about --version. These are separate from the Mint version but useful for troubleshooting.

Using The System Monitor

Open System Monitor from the menu. Go to the “System” tab. It shows the OS name and version. This is a GUI alternative to terminal commands.

Checking Version From The Live USB

If you’re booting from a live USB to test Mint, you can check the version the same way. Open terminal and run cat /etc/linuxmint/info. This confirms which ISO you’re using.

Common Version-Related Issues

Some software requires a minimum Mint version. For example, newer NVIDIA drivers might need Mint 21 or later. If you try to install them on Mint 20, you’ll get errors. Always check version requirements before installing.

Another issue is PPAs. Some PPAs are only compatible with specific Ubuntu bases. If you add a PPA for Ubuntu 22.04 on Mint 20 (which uses Ubuntu 20.04), you’ll break your system. Knowing your exact version prevents this.

Final Tips For Version Checking

Bookmark this guide for future reference. The commands don’t change often, but new methods might appear. Keep your system updated to avoid version-related problems. If you’re ever unsure, ask the Linux Mint community forums—they’re friendly and helpful.

Remember: the quickest method is cat /etc/linuxmint/info. The most detailed is lsb_release -a. The GUI method is best for beginners. Choose whichever suits your comfort level.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Check My Linux Mint Version From The Terminal?

Open terminal and type cat /etc/linuxmint/info or lsb_release -a. Both show your version number and codename.

What Is The Command To See Linux Mint Version In GUI?

Go to Menu > System Info. The window displays “Linux Mint” followed by the version number and edition.

Can I Check Linux Mint Version Without Terminal?

Yes. Use System Info from the menu, or look at the login screen. The Update Manager also shows the version at the top.

Why Does My Linux Mint Version Not Match The Latest Release?

You might be on an older version. Check for updates in Update Manager. If no updates are available, consider upgrading to the latest release.

How To Check Linux Mint Version On A Remote Server?

SSH into the server, then run any terminal command like