Ubuntu Linux is a constantly evolving operating system. No sooner has the latest release of Ubuntu shipped than updates begin to be released to improve the stability, performance and security of the system. It is vital to the health of any Ubuntu Linux installation that any new updates are applied as they are released by the Ubuntu Linux Development team.
Fortunately , Ubuntu Linux makes updating your operating systemeasy. In fact , it will even notify you when updates are available.
In this chapter we will cover the steps necessary to ensure that you your Ubuntu Linux system is up to date.
== Notification of Ubuntu Linux Updates ==
[[Image:ubuntu_linux_update_message.jpg|The Ubuntu Linux Update Notification Message]]
On Clicking on the orange button with the white star to which this message points in the image above will launch the Ubuntu Linux Update Manager. Before the Update Manager appears on your desktop , you will be prompted to enter your password. This is to ensure that updates are only performed by authorized users of the system.
== The Ubuntu Linux Update Manager ==
The Update Manager lists the total number of updates which are available for your system, and lists each update. Select any update in the list and click on the black triangle next to the "Description of Update" text to see detailed information of the update. Each update has a check box next to it. To decline an update, simply uncheck the box for that update. When you have reviewed the updates and unselected any you do not wish to be applied to the system press the ''Install Updates'' button to begin the update process.
The update product process consists of two phases. In the first phase , the Update Manager downloads each update package in the list. The following dialog will appear displaying the progress of the updates as they are downloaded. The dialog shows the display after the option to ''Show progress of single files'' has been selected:
[[Image:ubuntu_linux_update_progress.jpg|Ubuntu Linux Update Progress]]
In addition to providing details of the progress of the update process, the dialog also show the current download speed and provides an estimate of the remaining time to completion.
Once the update packages have been successfully download the Update Manager begins the process of applying the updates to the operating systembegins. While this phase of the update is in progress the following dialog is displayed (in this case the option to display details has been selected):
[[Image:ubuntu_linux_installing_updates.jpg|Ubuntu Linux Update Installation Progress]]
