Ubuntu team with the support of community and Canonical Ltd. has released the new version, Ubuntu Desktop and Ubuntu server 9.04, the Jaunty Jackalope a few weeks ago. Although, the Ubuntu 8.10 still has supports until 2010, Ubuntu recommends users to upgrade their operating system to the latest version available. Here is a step by step guide on how to upgrade Ubuntu Desktop 8.10 to the latest version 9.04 with screenshots.

If you are using Ubuntu version older than Ubuntu 8.10, please update to the next version first. Do not skip upgrade to the latest version to avoid system damage. If you aren't sure what version your Ubuntu is, you can use lsb_release -a command to check your current Ubuntu version. For example:

luzar@ubuntu:~$ lsb_release -a
No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID:	Ubuntu
Description:	Ubuntu 8.10
Release:	8.10
Codename:	intrepid
luzar@ubuntu:~$

If you are using Ubuntu Desktop 8.10, you can continue steps in this tutorial to upgrade to the latest version, Ubuntu 9.04. One more thing, this tutorial is a guide on how to update via network, so user must have Internet connection.

Open Update manager by clicking System --> Administration --> Update Manager

Check --> Update all available softwares

Upgrade to Ubuntu 9.04 screenshots:

Downloading the upgrade tool:

Preparing to upgrade:

Setting new software channel. Ubuntu will print a brief information about packages that is going to be removed and new software that will be installed if you are upgrading Ubuntu 8.10 to Ubuntu 9.04, Jaunty Jackalope. The example screenshot is included below:

Getting new packages. Ubuntu will get all packages needed when you choose to upgrade.

Installing the upgrades:

Cleaning up. Click Remove button to confirm:

Restart the system to complete the installation.

After reboot, key in username and password from your previous Ubuntu account to login into the new Ubuntu 9.04, Jaunty Jackalope.