How to Install Deb Files on Ubuntu Linux (4 Methods) (2024)

DEB files on Ubuntu are similar to EXE files on Windows and DMG files on macOS. It’s a software packaging format for Ubuntu (Debian) systems, and the installation of .deb files is simple. You can double-click on .deb files to install them right away. Apart from that, with just one Linux command, you can install Deb files through the Terminal. So in this guide, we have added four different methods to install Deb files on Ubuntu. With that said, let’s move on to the steps.

Install Deb Files on Ubuntu (2022)

We have mentioned four ways to install Deb files on Ubuntu in this guide. While the first three are native methods, the last one allows you to install deb files without any dependency error. In addition, we have mentioned how to uninstall deb files as well.

What is a Deb File in Ubuntu?

As mentioned above, Deb files are like EXE files on Windows. It’s the standard installation package format for Debian-based distros. It contains all the libraries and dependencies needed to run the program. If you want to install a program on Ubuntu, you will likely download a .deb file based on your computer’s architecture (64-bit or 32-bit).

Double-clicking the .deb file will install the app on Ubuntu. However, most often, Archive Manager will open the downloaded files, and you will have to follow the instructions below to install them.

Install Deb Files on Ubuntu Using Software Center

1. First, right-click on the Deb file and choose “Open With Other Application“.

2. Next, choose “Software Install” and click “Select” at the top-right.

3. Now, the Software Center will open up on the screen with information on the app you are installing. Here, click on the “Install” button to install the downloaded deb file. You will be asked to enter your password for authentication. And that’s how you can install Deb files on Ubuntu.

Install Deb Files on Ubuntu Using the apt Command

If you want to install Deb files on Ubuntu through the Terminal, you can use the apt command to quickly install programs. Here’s how it works:

1. First, right-click in the folder where the Deb file is located and click on “Open in Terminal“.

2. After that, run the below command in the Terminal window. You just need to replace filename.deb with the actual name of the Deb file. Now, the DEB package will be installed on your Ubuntu Linux PC.

sudo apt install ./filename.deb

Install Deb Files on Ubuntu via dpkg Package Manager

1. You can also install Deb files on Ubuntu using the dpkg command. Move to the folder where the Deb file is located. Right-click in the empty space and select “Open in Terminal” from the context menu.

2. A Terminal window will open up in the same folder. Now, run the below command, but make sure to replace <debfilename> with the name of the downloaded Deb file. And that’s how you can install .deb files using the dpkg Package Manager.

sudo dpkg -i <debfilename>

Install Deb Files on Ubuntu Using GDebi

Sometimes when you install a Deb file, you might get a dependency error. It means some necessary package or library is missing from your system. You can use the GDebi tool to resolve such issues, as it lets you install deb files and fixes errors by installing dependencies along the way. Here is how you can use this little app to install .deb files.

1. First, use the “Alt + Ctrl + T” keyboard shortcut to open the Terminal. Then, run the below command to install GDebi on your system.

sudo apt install gdebi

2. Now, right-click on the Deb file you want to install and choose “Open With Other Application“.

See Also

Debian -- Reasons to use Debian

2. On the next window, choose “Gdebi Package Installer” and then click “Select” at the top-right.

3. Finally, click the “Install Package” button to install the Deb file on Ubuntu. As you can see next to the “Status” label in the screenshot below, it reads “All dependencies are satisfied”.

How to Uninstall Deb Files on Ubuntu Linux

Use Ubuntu Software

1. You can easily uninstall Deb files using the Ubuntu Software GUI app. Go ahead and open it from the app launcher.

2. Here, move to the “Installed” tab on top and scroll down to look for the program name you wish to uninstall. Now, click on “Uninstall” to remove the installed .deb file from Ubuntu. If a program does not show up here, move to the Terminal method below to uninstall it.

Use Command Line

To uninstall Deb files on Ubuntu, you first need to find the package name of the Deb file you have installed. Keep in mind that the package name is different from the Deb file name. Here are the steps you need to follow to find the package name and uninstall it right away.

1. To find the package name, open the Terminal using the “Alt + Ctrl + T” shortcut and run the below command. Then, replace name with the program name or the closest matching keyword for the app. For example, to find the package name of Google Chrome, enter “chrome”.

sudo apt list --installed | grep name

2. The Terminal will return the package name of the program. Whatever is mentioned before / is your package name.

3. Now, run the below command to uninstall the Deb file from Ubuntu Linux. Make sure to replace the <packagename> with the actual package name you noted above. And that’s pretty much it. The Deb file will be removed from your Ubuntu system.

sudo apt remove <packagename>

Four Simple Ways to Install Deb Files on Ubuntu

These are the four simple methods to install Deb files on Ubuntu. Along with that, we have also mentioned how to install Deb files resolving the dependency error. And if you want to uninstall Deb files, you added that in this guide as well. Moreover, if you wish to learn how to take screenshots on Ubuntu, head to our linked tutorial. And to switch between Wayland and Xorg display servers in Ubuntu, we have a guide in place for that too. Finally, if you have any questions, let us know in the comment section below.