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So I downloaded and installed Ubuntu Desktop yesterday on a laptop and I noticed that there is a newer 16.04.1 version. I got the 16.04... I think. Would it say ".1" otherwise in system details?

What's the difference?

Samir
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3 Answers3

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16.04.1 just has some updates and bug fixes. It's not a new release or anything, and simply running sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade on a 16.04.0 computer would bring it to 16.04.1.

I believe they make these point releases so that users are able to install Ubuntu with more up-to-date packages OOTB. Otherwise, anyone installing 16.04 would be installing packages and security updates from early April.

I think of the point releases as something like Service Packs on Windows (Service Packs from the days of Windows XP and 2000, when they actually mattered). They're not a whole new OS, but they come with bug fixes and security patches, and are installable through normal updates.

heemayl
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TheWanderer
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  • Also I think it may prevents some bugs during Ubnutu installation using a live media on some systems. – Dante Aug 29 '16 at 13:01
  • @Dante as in "bug fixes"? :P – TheWanderer Aug 29 '16 at 13:04
  • On Ubuntu I have always used dist-upgrade rather than just upgrade. – kasperd Aug 29 '16 at 13:08
  • @kasperd I didn't realize dist-upgrade covered what upgrade does. – TheWanderer Aug 29 '16 at 13:09
  • @Zacharee1 I think it's impossible to update an unbootable/disconnected 16.04 ;-) – Dante Aug 29 '16 at 13:15
  • So if I installed 16.04 and the software updater tool says that my system is up to date, then I already have the same patches that are otherwise included with 16.04.1? But my version number will always stay at "16.04"? It will not flip to "16.04.1"? With Windows XP you could tell if SP2 was installed. Doesn't work like that on Ubuntu? – Samir Aug 29 '16 at 14:01
  • What are these patches that called for a "dot" and a one? They must be very important? No? I can't connect to WiFi on this install, so I'm thinking that it might be related somehow? – Samir Aug 29 '16 at 14:06
  • @sammyg they're not necessarily super important. It's just that Canonical occasionally repackages LTS releases with updates. They could include security patches and they might not. If WiFi isn't working, that's a different issue. – TheWanderer Aug 29 '16 at 14:07
  • On a second thought... this might explain why software updater told me that the system is up to date... it never actually checked because WiFi is not on. – Samir Aug 29 '16 at 14:08
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This is similar to Windows Service Packs if it is more familiar.

Ubuntu 16.04.1 is an installation image that includes package updates.

If you installed regular updates, your version has been updated to 16.04.1.

Pilot6
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  • Or perhaps is more current than the latest point release. ;-) – Elder Geek Aug 29 '16 at 12:57
  • @ElderGeek I don't think 16.04.0 is considered a point release at all; they start at 16.04.1. – EKons Aug 29 '16 at 16:03
  • @ΈρικΚωνσταντόπουλος That's true. My point is relevant to future point releases beyond .1 My apologies for any confusion this may have caused you. – Elder Geek Aug 29 '16 at 16:24
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Point releases have bug fixes and updates rolled in. If you've installed 16.04 and are current on your updates the only difference (AFAIK) is you might have a more up to date system than the current point release.

Elder Geek
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