Unlike Windows or macOS, which both force you to use a single, unified graphical interface, Linux offers complete freedom. You can install dozens of entirely different user interfaces, known as “Desktop Environments,” on top of your operating system. If you recently installed a new distribution like Ubuntu, Fedora, or Mint and are trying to follow an online tutorial that asks if you are running “GNOME” or “KDE Plasma,” you can easily check your exact environment using the terminal.
Checking the Environment Variable
The fastest way to identify your current graphical interface is by asking Linux to print the specific environment variable that stores this information.
- Open your terminal application (usually found by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T).
- Type the following exact command (ensure the text is entirely uppercase):
echo $XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP - Press Enter.
The terminal will instantly output a single string of text. If you are using standard Ubuntu, it will likely output ubuntu:GNOME. If you are using Linux Mint, it might output X-Cinnamon or MATE. This confirms exactly which desktop environment is currently rendering your taskbar and windows.
Finding the Exact Version Number
If you already know you are using GNOME or KDE but need to know the specific version number (for example, GNOME 42 vs GNOME 44) to install a specific theme or extension, you can use the following commands:
- For GNOME: Type
gnome-shell --versionand press Enter. - For KDE Plasma: Type
plasmashell --versionand press Enter.
This will output the exact release number, helping you ensure compatibility when downloading new aesthetic themes or custom widgets for your desktop.