Installing/Deleting .deb Packages on Linux

Yikuan SunยทJuly 17, 2024

If you're trying to download Linux apps from the web, such as Lunal Graphics products, .deb packages are probably the best file format to work with. They contain all of the app's assets, and you can extract them for usage in a few simple steps.

Install | Uninstall

Installing a .deb package

1. Find the File

Finding the .deb file in the file manager

Once you've downloaded the .deb file, locate it in your Files app. If you downloaded the file from a web browser, it probably went to the Downloads folder.

2. Get the File Name

Copying the filename from Properties

Right click the file's thumbnail and press Properties. Select the filename and copy it with Ctrl + C. Make sure you've copied the entire filename, including the .deb file extension.

3. Open the Command Line

Opening the terminal from the correct folder

Make sure your Files app is still opened to the folder containing the .deb file. Click the three dots next to the searchbar and press Open in Terminal.

4. Install the Debian Package

Typing the install command in the terminal

In the command line, type sudo apt install ./, then use Ctrl + Shift + V to paste the name of the .deb file. Hit Enter to install the application. You may need to type your password and press Enter again.

5. Record the Real Name of the Package

Copying the real package name from the terminal output

The filename of the .deb package may be different from the actual package name. When you use the installation command, the real package name will appear in a message saying Note, selecting 'REAL_PACKAGE_NAME' instead of './FILENAME'. Copy that name and write it down somewhere, in case you need to delete the package later.

Your new app should appear in your computer's Applications menu.

Uninstalling a .deb package

Deleting the package using the terminal

Remember when I had you copy the real package name? You can use it to uninstall the package. Simply open your Terminal app, type sudo apt purge REAL_PACKAGE_NAME, and hit Enter. You may need to type in your password and hit Enter again. The command prompt will ask Do you want to continue? [Y/n] โ€” type y and press Enter.