How to update Ubuntu

Updated: 01/24/2018 by Computer Hope

If you're running Ubuntu as your operating system, updating the system software is easy, and lets you stay up-to-date with the latest security and compatibility fixes. There are two main methods of updating your system software: using the graphical Ubuntu software updater, or using the apt-get command line tool. They both do the same thing under the hood, and you can use whichever you find easiest.

Updating using Ubuntu software updater

  1. In the Unity GUI (Graphical User Interface), press the Super Key on your keyboard once (on many keyboards, this is the Windows key). If done correctly, the Dash search interface appears.
  2. Type updater in the search box to bring up the icon for the software updater application.
  3. Click the icon to run software updater. Select the desired update options, and enter your password if prompted.

Updating using apt-get

  1. Open a new terminal session to access the command line. You can open the terminal by holding the Super Key and pressing T, or by opening the Dash search interface and typing the word terminal, and clicking the Terminal icon.
  2. At your command line, run the following three commands, entering your password when prompted:

    sudo apt-get update

    sudo apt-get upgrade

    sudo apt-get dist-upgrade