Ubuntu facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ubuntu

Ubuntu 25.04 "Plucky Puffin"
Company / developer	Canonical Ltd.
OS family	Linux (Unix-like), Debian-based
Working state	Current
Source model	Open-source
Initial release	Ubuntu 4.10 / 20 October 2004 (20 years ago) (2004-10-20)
Latest stable release	Regular: Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1571: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). / 17 April 2025  LTS: Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1571: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). / 20 February 2025
Marketing target	Cloud computing, personal computers, servers, supercomputers, IoT
Available language(s)	More than 55 languages by LoCos
Update method	Software Updater, Ubuntu Software, apt
Package manager	GNOME Software, dpkg (APT), Snap – graphical front-end: Snap Store
Supported platforms	x86-64 ARM64 RISC-V (RVA20 profile) ppc64le (POWER8 and later) s390x 32-bit support: IA-32 for up to Ubuntu 18.04 and in Ubuntu Core, and ARMhf (ARMv7 + VFPv3-D16) in ubuntu-core-22-pi
Kernel type	Monolithic (Linux kernel)
Userland	GNU
Default user interface	GNOME
License	Free software + some proprietary device drivers, excluding trademarks

Ubuntu is a popular computer operating system. It is based on Linux, which is a type of software that controls a computer's basic functions. Ubuntu is mostly made from free and open-source software. This means people can use, change, and share it freely.

A British company called Canonical Ltd. develops Ubuntu. They work with many people from a community who help make it better. Ubuntu comes in different official versions. These include versions for desktop computers, servers (powerful computers that manage networks), and small devices like those used in the IoT and robotics.

Ubuntu gets new versions every six months. Every two years, a special version called a long-term support (LTS) release comes out. Canonical provides security updates and help for these versions for a longer time. As of June 2025, the newest regular version is 25.04, called "Plucky Puffin." The current LTS version is 24.04, known as "Noble Numbat."

You can install Ubuntu directly on a computer or run it inside a virtual machine. It is often used for cloud computing, which means using computer services over the internet. Ubuntu is also a popular choice for everyday desktop use. Many online communities, like Ask Ubuntu, help users with questions. There are also many other versions of Ubuntu made by the community.

The name "Ubuntu" comes from an African idea called ubuntu. This idea means "humanity to others" or "I am what I am because of who we all are."

How Ubuntu Started

In April 2004, Mark Shuttleworth, who started Canonical, invited some Debian developers to his home in London. They talked about what Ubuntu would be like. Shuttleworth chose the name "Ubuntu" because of his South African background. He wanted to show that the project was about community.

To pay for the project, Shuttleworth created Canonical Ltd.. He used money he made from selling his old company, Thawte. For the first year, the company worked online without offices. This helped everyone see what was happening. The team aimed to release Ubuntu in six months. The first version, "Warty Warthog," came out in October 2004.

In July 2005, Shuttleworth and Canonical started the Ubuntu Foundation. They put US$10 million into it. The foundation's goal is to make sure Ubuntu continues to be supported and developed in the future.

In 2011, Ubuntu changed its main desktop look from GNOME 2 to its own design called Unity. But in 2017, with version 17.10, it changed back to GNOME 3.

Ubuntu versions since 16.04.5 need a 2 GB or larger way to install them, like a DVD or USB stick. Older 32-bit computers were supported up to Ubuntu 18.04.

In 2014, Canonical announced Ubuntu Core. This is a special version of Ubuntu for small, built-in computer systems. In June 2023, they announced Ubuntu Core Desktop, a desktop version made entirely of snap packages. Its release was delayed to make sure it was perfect.

In August 2024, Ubuntu decided to always use the newest Linux kernel version when they release Ubuntu. This means they use the very latest code available at the time.

What Ubuntu Can Do

Ubuntu is built using Debian's structure. It has versions for servers, desktops, and even old phone and tablet systems. When you first install Ubuntu 24.10, it comes with a few basic programs. These include a web browser (Firefox) and simple GNOME tools.

You can get many more programs from the built-in Ubuntu Software store. You can also use other tools that manage software packages. Many programs that are not installed by default, like GIMP (for image editing), are still easy to find and install. You can also install snap packages and Flatpaks. These let you install software, including some from Microsoft, on most major Linux systems. The main program for managing files is called GNOME Files.

All the programs that come with Ubuntu are free software. Ubuntu also includes some hardware drivers that are not open-source. These are clearly marked.

Ubuntu's long-term support (LTS) versions are supported for five years. They come out every two years. LTS versions get updates for new hardware, security fixes, and updates for cloud computing tools. Since Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, desktop versions also get five years of support. LTS releases also get regular updates that include all the fixes and improvements made so far.

Ubuntu gets its software packages from Debian. They are updated every six months. Debian and Ubuntu packages are not always exactly the same. Sometimes, Ubuntu developers need to change them to work with Ubuntu. Many Ubuntu developers also help maintain important packages in Debian. Ubuntu tries to share its changes back with Debian.

All official Ubuntu programs are available from many mirrors (copies) around the world. As of March 2025, there were 617 Ubuntu mirrors.

Keeping Ubuntu Safe

Ubuntu is designed to be safe from the start. Programs you run have limited permissions. This means they usually cannot harm the operating system or other users' files. For more safety, the sudo tool lets you temporarily get special permissions to do important tasks. This helps keep the main "root" account locked. It also stops new users from accidentally making big changes or creating security holes.

Most internet connections are closed by default to prevent hacking. Ubuntu has a built-in firewall called Uncomplicated Firewall. This lets users control who can access their computer if they set up network services. There is also a simple way to set up the firewall using a graphical interface. Ubuntu also builds its programs with special features to make them stronger against attacks.

Ubuntu also lets you encrypt your entire computer disk. You can also encrypt your personal files and folders. This helps keep your information private.

How to Install Ubuntu

The computer requirements for Ubuntu can change depending on the version. For Ubuntu desktop 22.04 LTS (and 24.04.1), you need a computer with at least a 2 GHz dual-core processor, 4 GB of RAM, and 25 GB of free disk space. If your computer is older or less powerful, you can use other Ubuntu versions like Lubuntu or Xubuntu. Ubuntu also works on ARM architecture devices.

You can usually try out and install Ubuntu using a Live image. This is a special file (.iso) you can download. You then put it on a DVD or a USB flash drive and start your computer from it. This lets you try Ubuntu without changing your computer. If you like it, you can then choose to install it. You can download these files for all Ubuntu versions from the Ubuntu website.

You can also install Ubuntu onto a USB flash drive. This lets you save your settings and take your Ubuntu system with you to use on different computers.

How Ubuntu Organizes Software

Ubuntu puts most software into four groups. These groups show how the software is licensed and how much support it gets.

• Main: This group has free software that meets Ubuntu's rules. It is fully supported by Canonical.
• Restricted: This group has some important software that is not free. This includes drivers for hardware like graphics cards. Canonical supports these, but less than "Main" because they might not have the original code.
• Universe: This group has free software that is supported by the community, not Canonical. Since January 2023, people with an Ubuntu Pro subscription can get Canonical-supported updates for these packages too.
• Multiverse: This group has software that is not free and is not officially supported by Canonical.

The -updates group provides stable updates for Ubuntu. These are usually installed through the update manager. Each Ubuntu version has its own -updates group. Canonical supports updates for "Main" and "Restricted" software. The community supports updates for "Universe" and "Multiverse" software.

The -proposed group has updates that need to be checked before they go into -updates. All updates must go through this step. This makes sure the update fixes the problem and does not cause new issues. Canonical or community members check these updates.

Ubuntu used to have a "partner" group for companies to offer their software. But this was closed before Ubuntu 22.04 LTS came out. This is because the Snap Store now offers a better way to get software.

Personal Package Archives (PPAs)

A Personal Package Archive (PPA) is like a special online storage space. Developers can upload their software here. Then, users can easily add this PPA to their Ubuntu system to get new programs or updates.

Other Software

Some other software that is not free is in Ubuntu's "multiverse" group. The ubuntu-restricted-extras package includes software that might have legal limits. This includes support for playing DVDs, Microsoft fonts, many common audio and video formats, and tools for RAR files.

You can also download many other programs and games from Ubuntu Software and the Snap store. These include games like Minecraft and software for playing media.

Ubuntu Versions

Ubuntu releases new versions every six months. Each regular version gets nine months of free support. This includes security updates and important bug fixes.

Every fourth release is a long-term support (LTS) version. These come out in the second quarter of even-numbered years. LTS versions get five years of free support. You can even get support for up to ten years with a paid program called Expanded Security Maintenance (ESM).

Ubuntu version numbers show the year and month it was released. For example, Ubuntu 4.10 came out in October 2004.

Each version also has a fun code name with two words that start with the same letter. It is usually an adjective and an animal, like "Bionic Beaver." People often just call the version by the first word.

Ubuntu versions usually come out about one month after new GNOME versions.

Different Kinds of Ubuntu

Ubuntu family tree

Ubuntu Desktop is the version most people use. It is made for desktop and laptop computers. Other Ubuntu versions, called "flavours," are mostly the same but use a different desktop environment. This changes how the computer looks and feels. For example, LXQt and Xfce are good for older computers because they use less memory.

Official Ubuntu Versions

Most official Ubuntu versions install different default programs. But they all use the same main software library. This means they can all access the same programs. Ubuntu Core is different because it only uses Snap packages.

Version		Description
	Edubuntu	Edubuntu is an Ubuntu version made for schools and learning. It has special programs for preschool, primary, secondary, and college education.
	Kubuntu	Kubuntu uses the KDE desktop instead of the GNOME desktop that Ubuntu Desktop uses.
	Lubuntu	Lubuntu is a "lighter" Ubuntu version. It uses less computer power and energy. It uses the LXQt desktop environment.
	Ubuntu Core	Ubuntu Core is for small, smart devices and built-in systems. It does not have a graphical screen. You can only access it using special commands. It uses only Snap packages.
	Ubuntu Budgie	This Ubuntu version uses the Budgie desktop.
	Ubuntu Cinnamon	This Ubuntu version uses the Cinnamon desktop, which is also used by Linux Mint.
	Ubuntu Kylin	Ubuntu Kylin is an Ubuntu version made for users in China.
	Ubuntu MATE	Ubuntu MATE uses MATE. This desktop environment is based on an older version of GNOME. It focuses on a traditional desktop look.
	Ubuntu Server	Ubuntu Server is for powerful computers called servers. It uses the same software as Ubuntu Desktop. The main difference is that it does not come with a graphical desktop installed by default. This makes it lighter and faster for server tasks. You can still add a desktop if you want. Ubuntu Server can run on many different computer types. It supports hardware virtualization, which means it can run other operating systems inside it. It also has strong security features. It works on many different computer architectures. It supports ZFS, a file system that can save snapshots of your data. It includes LXD, which helps manage LXC Linux containers. It uses the latest Linux kernel and systemd for managing services. It is approved to run on major cloud platforms like AWS and Microsoft Azure. It includes tools like Netplan and the snap package manager. It supports LVM encryption. It also comes with popular server software already set up. This includes programs like Tomcat, PostgreSQL, Docker, and MySQL.
	Ubuntu Studio	Ubuntu Studio is for people who create multimedia. It has open-source programs for audio, video, and graphic editing. This version uses the KDE Plasma 5 desktop.
	Ubuntu Unity	This Ubuntu version uses Unity 7, which was Ubuntu's default desktop for a while.
	Xubuntu	Xubuntu uses Xfce. It is good for less powerful computers. It is also good for those who want a very efficient desktop.

Some official Ubuntu versions have been stopped, like Gobuntu. Others, like Ubuntu Touch, are now kept alive by volunteers.

Unofficial Ubuntu Versions

Besides the official versions, there are also unofficial ones. These are still working to become recognized by Canonical.

Version		Description
	UbuntuDDE	An unofficial Ubuntu version that uses the Deepin Desktop Environment.
	Ubuntu Sway	An unofficial Ubuntu version that uses the Sway Window Manager.
	Ubuntu Web	An unofficial Ubuntu version that uses the GNOME Desktop Environment. It focuses on web applications.

Ubuntu for Cloud Computing

Cloud Ubuntu Orange Box

Ubuntu offers special "Cloud Images." These are ready-to-use versions of Ubuntu. They are made to run on cloud platforms like Amazon EC2, OpenStack, and Microsoft Azure. Ubuntu is also very common on VPS platforms.

Eucalyptus interface

Ubuntu supports OpenStack. Canonical has tools to help move from Eucalyptus to OpenStack. Ubuntu 11.10 focused on OpenStack as its main cloud offering. Another important tool is Canonical Juju. It helps set up and manage services in data centers for Ubuntu Server.

Ubuntu Communities

To help users who are not very technical, and to build a strong community, "LoCos" (Local Communities) have been set up around the world. Each country usually has one LoCo Team. In some places, like the United States, each state might have a team. A special council approves these teams. They look at how the teams help develop or promote Ubuntu.

Computer Makers and Ubuntu

Many computer makers support Ubuntu. Several companies sell computers with Ubuntu already installed. Canonical works with these companies to make sure Ubuntu works well on their devices. This is mainly for businesses and software developers.

Big companies like Dell, Lenovo, and HP offer laptops and desktops with Ubuntu. You can often choose Ubuntu instead of Windows when you buy online. Ubuntu is also available on IBM Z mainframes.

Smaller companies like System76 also sell systems with Ubuntu. They sometimes offer special support through Canonical.

Working with Windows

You can run many Windows programs on Ubuntu. This is done using a special tool called Wine. Wine helps Windows programs work on Linux.

You can also install Windows inside Ubuntu using virtual machines. This lets you run Windows and Ubuntu at the same time. Tools like Samba help you share files between Ubuntu and Windows.

In March 2016, Microsoft announced that Windows 10 would support Ubuntu programs. This was done by adding a special part called WSL. It was first for command-line tools for developers. Now, other Linux versions are also supported.

In 2019, Microsoft announced WSL 2, which includes a real Linux kernel. Canonical said it would fully support Ubuntu on WSL 2. By then, you could even run graphical Linux apps on Windows. In 2021, Microsoft added built-in support for graphical Linux apps through the WSLg project.

In May 2021, Microsoft's security tool, which was only for Windows, started supporting Ubuntu. Also, starting with version 6, PowerShell can run on Ubuntu. This lets you manage both Windows and Ubuntu computers from either system.

See also

In Spanish: Ubuntu para niños

• Comparison of Linux distributions