How to Upgrade Ubuntu 23.10 to Ubuntu 24.04: A Comprehensive Guide

 

Introduction

Upgrading your Ubuntu operating system from one version to another ensures that you have the latest features, security updates, and performance improvements. If you’re currently running Ubuntu 23.10 and are looking to upgrade to Ubuntu 24.04, this guide will walk you through the process step-by-step. Let’s dive in!

Why Upgrade to Ubuntu 24.04?

Before we get into the technical details, it’s important to understand why upgrading to Ubuntu 24.04 is beneficial. This version offers several enhancements, including:

Improved system performance Enhanced security features Latest software updates New and improved user interface

Now that we know the benefits, let’s move on to the actual upgrade process.

Pre-Upgrade Checklist

Before starting the upgrade, make sure you complete the following steps:

Backup Your Data: It’s crucial to back up your important files and data to avoid any loss during the upgrade process. Check System Requirements: Ensure that your system meets the requirements for Ubuntu 24.04. Update Current System: Make sure your current Ubuntu 23.10 system is up to date.

sudo apt update -y && sudo apt upgrade -y

Free Up Disk Space: Ensure you have enough disk space for the upgrade. You can clean up your system using:

sudo apt autoremove && sudo apt clean

Upgrade Ubuntu 23.10 to 24.04

Step 1: Update the System

First, ensure your current system is fully updated. Open a terminal and run:

sudo apt update

sudo apt upgrade

sudo apt dist-upgrade

Step 2: Install Update Manager

Next, install the Update Manager if it’s not already installed:

sudo apt -y install update-manager-core

Next, ensure that the /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades file has Prompt=lts.

sudo vim /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades

# Default behavior for the release upgrader.

[DEFAULT]
# Default prompting and upgrade behavior, valid options:
#
#  never  - Never check for, or allow upgrading to, a new release.
#  normal - Check to see if a new release is available.  If more than one new
#           release is found, the release upgrader will attempt to upgrade to
#           the supported release that immediately succeeds the
#           currently-running release.
#  lts    - Check to see if a new LTS release is available.  The upgrader
#           will attempt to upgrade to the first LTS release available after
#           the currently-running one.  Note that if this option is used and
#           the currently-running release is not itself an LTS release the
#           upgrader will assume prompt was meant to be normal.
Prompt=lts

This means that your system is configured to only upgrade to Long Term Support (LTS) releases. Ubuntu 24.04 is the next available LTS release after Ubuntu 23.10. Therefore, it will attempt to upgrade to that version. 

However, if you’re trying to upgrade to a development version before the official release, you need to temporarily change this setting to Prompt=normal.

Step 3: Start the Upgrade Process

Now, you can start the upgrade process using the command:

sudo do-release-upgrade

This command initiates the system upgrade to the next available LTS release, which is Ubuntu 24.04 in this case.

Photo by admingeek from Infotechys

Step 4: Follow the On-Screen Instructions

The system will guide you through the upgrade process with on-screen instructions. It will ask you to confirm the upgrade and inform you about the changes. Follow these instructions carefully.

Step 5: Restart the System

Once the upgrade process is complete, you will be prompted to restart your system. Do so to finalize the upgrade:

sudo reboot

Post-Upgrade Steps

After your system has rebooted into Ubuntu 24.04, there are a few post-upgrade steps to ensure everything is running smoothly.

Verify the Upgrade

Check that the upgrade was successful by running:

lsb_release -a

You should see output indicating that you are running Ubuntu 24.04.

Check for Updates

Ensure that your new system is up to date:

sudo apt update -y && sudo apt upgrade -y

Restore Data

If you backed up your data before the upgrade, now is the time to restore it.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Insufficient Disk Space

If you encounter issues with disk space during the upgrade, consider moving some files to an external drive or using cloud storage. You can also increase the size of your partitions if necessary.

Broken Packages

Sometimes, you might face broken packages after an upgrade. To fix this, run:

sudo apt --fix-broken install

Network Issues

If you experience network connectivity problems, check your network settings and ensure that your drivers are up to date.

Comparison of Ubuntu Versions

To give you a better idea of what to expect, here’s a comparison of some key features between Ubuntu 23.10 and 24.04:

Feature	Ubuntu 23.10	Ubuntu 24.04
Kernel Version	Linux 6.5.0-25-generic	Linux 6.8.0-35-generic
Desktop Environment	GNOME 45.2	GNOME 46
Default Browser	Firefox	Firefox
System Performance	Optimized	Further optimized
Security Enhancements	Enhanced	Further Enhanced
Windowing System	Wayland	Wayland