Upgrade Guide: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS → 24.04.4 LTS (Noble Numbat)

[aniket.pitre]

Purpose: Upgrade Ubuntu systems from 22.04 LTS to 24.04 LTS with full step-by-step procedure (including what appears on screen during upgrade)
Document Type: Operational Runbook

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? Step 1 — Check Current Version

Code:

cat /etc/os-release

? Confirm:

• VERSION="22.04 LTS"
  
• CODENAME=jammy
  

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? Step 2 — Update Current System

Code:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

? During this step:

• You may see package list fetching
  
• If prompted:
  • Press Y to continue
    

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? Step 3 — Install update-manager-core

Code:

sudo apt install update-manager-core

? If prompted:

• Press Y → continue installation
  

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Edit Upgrade Configuration

Code:

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

Find:

Code:

Prompt=normal

Change to:

Code:

Prompt=lts

? Save:

• CTRL + X
  
• Press Y
  
• Press ENTER
  

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⚙️ Step 4 — Prepare System (dist-upgrade)

Code:

sudo apt dist-upgrade

? During this step:

• System may install/remove dependencies
  
• If prompted:
  • Press Y to continue
    

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? Step 5 — Reboot System

Code:

sudo reboot

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? Step 6 — Run Release Upgrade

Code:

sudo do-release-upgrade

? You will now see multiple interactive prompts:
1. Checking for new release

• System checks availability of Ubuntu 24.04
  

2. Upgrade Summary Screen

• Shows:
  • Packages to install
    
  • Packages to upgrade
    
  • Packages to remove
    
• Prompt:
  • "Do you want to start the upgrade?"
    
  • Press Y
    

3. Download Packages

• Shows download progress
  
• No input required unless interrupted
  

4. Configuration File Prompts
You may see:

• "A new version of config file is available"
  

Options:

• Press Y → install new version
  
• Press N → keep existing version
  

? Recommendation:

• Use N if unsure (safer)
  

5. Service Restart Prompt

• "Restart services during package upgrades without asking?"
  

Options:

• Select Yes → recommended
  

6. Obsolete Packages Prompt

• "Remove obsolete packages?"
  

Options:

• Press Y → clean system
  

7. Kernel/GRUB Prompt (if appears)

• Keep current selection unless you know otherwise
  

8. Final Prompt

• "System upgrade is complete. Restart required"
  
• Press Y
  

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? Step 7 — Final Reboot
? System reboots automatically or asks:

• Press Y to reboot
  

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✅ Step 8 — Verify Upgrade

Code:

cat /etc/os-release

OR

Code:

lsb_release -a

? Confirm:

• VERSION="24.04.4 LTS"
  
• CODENAME=noble
  

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? Optional Cleanup

Code:

sudo apt autoremove -y

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⚠️ Important Notes

• Always take backup before upgrade
  
• Ensure stable internet connection
  
• Do not interrupt upgrade
  
• Recommended downtime window
  
• Ensure at least 5–10 GB free disk space
  

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? Troubleshooting
If upgrade not detected:

Code:

sudo do-release-upgrade -d

If upgrade fails midway:

Code:

sudo dpkg --configure -a
sudo apt -f install

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