This wikiHow teaches you how to use Debian's built-in Linux tools to install software packages. If you are using the desktop version of Debian, you can use Synaptic to install application packages with a point-and-click graphical interface. You can also use the “apt” command in a command line program to search for and install installation packages from the internet. Finally, if you have downloaded a software package file with the extension “*.deb”, you can run the “dpkg” command to install the package via a command line program.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using the Graphical Package Manager
Step 1. Open the Synaptic graphics package manager
As long as you have a version of Debian that has desktop support installed, Synaptic is available by default on the operating system. You can find it in the menu " Applications ” or under segment “ System ” > “ Administration " If you want to use a different graphical package manager, open that program. Most programs have a similar way of working.
You can also run Synaptic from a command line program using the sydo synaptic command
Tip: If you can't find a graphical package manager, you can install it via a command line program. You can choose one of the following programs: KPackage, Click, Autopackage, Bitnami, and Click N Run.
Step 2. Click Search
It's a magnifying glass icon at the top of the window.
Step 3. Locate the software you want to install
You can use the search bar to search for a specific program or browse the list of programs by category.
Step 4. Select the package you want to install
Check the box next to the package you want to install. You can install multiple packages at once if you want.
Step 5. Click the Apply button
It's at the bottom of the window. Synaptic will download and install the selected packages afterwards.
Method 2 of 3: Using the “Apt” Command
Step 1. Open Terminal
If you are using a graphical user interface (GUI), you can usually click the Terminal icon directly or press the Ctrl+Alt+T shortcut.
Step 2. Run the command sudo apt-get update to update the package manager program
After typing the command in a Terminal window, press Enter or Return to run it. If the root password is verified, the package manager program will be updated and equipped with the latest software sources.
Step 3. Locate the package you want to install
If you already know the name of the package you want to install, move on to the next step. Otherwise, run the command apt-cache search DeviceName (a DeviceName entry refers to the desired software name) in the command line window.
- This command sometimes results in various options which may not be relevant. Be patient and read the description of each package to find out which one you want to install. If you're not sure, you can use the apt show PackageName command (a PackageName entry refers to the package name displayed) to see a more complete description of the packages found.
- If you are unsure of the full name of the program, try to find a word that describes the package's functionality. For example, you can use the apt-cache search paint command to display the names of drawing program packages, such as GIMP and Krita.
Step 4. Run the command sudo apt-get install PackageName to install the software package
Replace the PackageName entry with the actual package name. For example, if you want to install the dillo package (web browser name), type in the command sudo apt-get install dillo.
- If additional elements or resources are required for the package to be installed, simply follow the on-screen prompts to install them now.
- To remove an already installed package, use the command sudo apt-get remove PackageName.
Method 3 of 3: Using Dpkg Tools
Step 1. Download the package file
If you want to install a package with a.deb extension, you can use Debian's built-in tool called dpkg. Start by downloading the desired *.deb file from the source you want.
Step 2. Open Terminal
If you are using a graphical user interface (GUI), you can usually click the Terminal icon directly or press the Ctrl+Alt+T shortcut.
Step 3. Use the cd command to enter the directory of the downloaded file
For example, if you saved the file to a folder in your local directory called downloads, type cd downloads and press Enter or Return.
Step 4. Run the command sudo dpkg –i PackageName
Replace the PackageName entry with the full package name with the extension “.deb”. After that, the software package will be installed on the computer.
- For example, if you want to install a package named “icewm_0.8.11-2.deb”, type sudo dpkg –i icewm_0.8.11-2.deb and press Enter or Return.
- Type in the root password when prompted to complete the command.
