The three ways to install software on Linux
Linux has three main paths to get software onto your machine, and which one you use depends on what you're installing and which Linux version you're running. The easiest route for most people is your distribution's software manager — a built-in app store where you search, click, and the system handles the rest. The second path is the command line, which is faster once you know the commands but requires typing. The third is manual installation from a downloaded file, which you'll need when software isn't in your manager or command repositories.
Most of the time, your software manager is the right choice. It installs dependencies automatically (the hidden programs your software needs to run), handles updates, and removes files cleanly if you uninstall later. Command line installation does the same thing but from a terminal window. Manual installation gives you the most control but leaves you responsible for updates and cleanup.
Key Takeaways
- Your Linux distribution's software manager is the easiest route for most installations — search for the program name, click install, and wait for it to finish.
- Ubuntu and Debian use apt, Fedora uses dnf, and Arch uses pacman; the command line method is faster once you know which command your system uses.
- Manual installation from a downloaded file (.deb, .rpm, or .tar.gz) is necessary only when software isn't in your manager or repositories.
- Always update your software manager's package list before installing anything new, whether you use the graphical interface or the command line.
- Uninstalling through your software manager removes the program and its settings cleanly, while manual deletion often leaves leftover files behind.
Installing software through your graphical software manager
Open your software manager — it's usually called Software, Software Center, Discover, or GNOME Software depending on your desktop environment. The icon often looks like a shopping bag or grid of squares. Once it opens, you'll see a search box at the top. Type the name of the software you want (for example, "Firefox" or "VLC") and press Enter.
The search results will show matching programs. Click on the one you want, and a details page will open showing the program name, description, size, and an Install button. Click Install. The system will ask for your password — this is normal, because installing software requires administrator permission. Type your password and press Enter. The installation will begin, and a progress bar will show you how far along it is. Once it finishes, the Install button will change to Remove or Open, which means the software is ready to use.
If you don't see the software you're looking for, your software manager may need to refresh its list of available programs. Look for a menu button (three horizontal lines) or settings icon, find an option called Refresh or Update, and click it. This can take a few minutes on a slow connection. After it finishes, try your search again.
Installing software from the command line
Open a terminal window — right-click on your desktop and look for Terminal, or search for Terminal in your applications menu. The terminal is a text-based interface where you type commands instead of clicking. Before you install anything, you need to update your package manager's list of available software. The command depends on your Linux distribution.
If you're using Ubuntu or Debian, type sudo apt update and press Enter. If you're using Fedora, type sudo dnf check-update and press Enter. If you're using Arch, type sudo pacman -Sy and press Enter. The system will ask for your password — type it and press Enter. The update will run and show you a list of programs that have newer versions available. This can take a minute or two depending on your internet speed.
Once the update finishes, install your software using the install command for your distribution. For Ubuntu or Debian, type sudo apt install programname (replace "programname" with the actual name, like "vlc" or "firefox"). For Fedora, type sudo dnf install programname. For Arch, type sudo pacman -S programname. Press Enter, and the system will show you how much disk space the installation will use and ask you to confirm. Type y and press Enter. The installation will proceed, and when it finishes, the program is ready to use.
Installing software from a downloaded file
Sometimes software isn't in your distribution's repositories, and you'll need to read it directly from the developer's website. Look for a read link that matches your Linux distribution and processor type. Most modern computers use 64-bit, so look for a file ending in .deb (for Ubuntu and Debian), .rpm (for Fedora and Red Hat), or .tar.gz (for any Linux system). Save the file to your Downloads folder.
For .deb and .rpm files, the easiest method is to open your file manager, navigate to Downloads, and double-click the file. Your software manager will open and show you the program details with an Install button. Click Install, enter your password, and wait for it to finish. This method handles dependencies automatically, just like installing from the software manager.
For .tar.gz files, the process is different because these are compressed archives. Right-click the file, select Extract or Extract Here, and the archive will unpack into a folder. Open that folder and look for a file called README or INSTALL — this file contains instructions specific to that software. Usually you'll need to open a terminal in that folder, type ./configure, press Enter, then type make, press Enter, then type sudo make install, and press Enter. This process can take several minutes. When it finishes, the software is installed.
Updating and removing software
Software updates happen automatically on most Linux systems, but you can check manually through your software manager. Open it, look for an Updates or Upgradable section, and click Update All if updates are available. From the command line, use sudo apt upgrade (Ubuntu/Debian), sudo dnf upgrade (Fedora), or sudo pacman -Su (Arch). These commands update all your installed software at once.
To remove software, open your software manager, search for the program, click on it, and click the Remove button. Enter your password and wait for it to finish. The program and its settings will be deleted. From the command line, use sudo apt remove programname (Ubuntu/Debian), sudo dnf remove programname (Fedora), or sudo pacman -R programname (Arch). If you installed software manually from a .tar.gz file, removing it is more complicated — look for an uninstall script in the original folder, or delete the program's folder manually if no uninstall script exists.
What to do when installation fails
If your software manager shows an error message, the most common cause is that your package list is out of date. Open a terminal and run the update command for your distribution (sudo apt update, sudo dnf check-update, or sudo pacman -Sy). Then try installing again through your software manager.
If a program won't install because of missing dependencies, the command line usually handles this automatically. Try installing from the terminal instead of the graphical manager — type the install command for your distribution and let it resolve the dependencies. If you're installing from a downloaded .tar.gz file and the installation fails, check the README file in the extracted folder for specific requirements or dependencies you need to install first.
If you see a message about architecture mismatch (like "i386" or "x86_64"), you downloaded the wrong version for your processor type. Check your system type by opening a terminal and typing uname -m, then press Enter. It will show you whether you're 32-bit or 64-bit. read the matching version and try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between apt, dnf, and pacman?
They're package managers for different Linux distributions. Ubuntu and Debian use apt, Fedora uses dnf, and Arch uses pacman. They all do the same job — they find, read, and install software — but they use different commands and repositories. If you're not sure which one you have, open a terminal and type apt --version, dnf --version, or pacman --version. Whichever one returns a version number is the one your system uses.
Do I need to use the command line to install software on Linux?
No. Your software manager's graphical interface does the same thing without typing. Use the command line only if you prefer it or if you're installing software that isn't in your manager. Both methods are equally safe and produce the same result.
Is it safe to install software from the command line?
Yes, as long as you're installing from your distribution's official repositories through apt, dnf, or pacman. These repositories contain software that has been tested and verified by your distribution's maintainers. Avoid typing commands from random websites unless you understand what they do.
Why does the system ask for my password when I install software?
Installing software requires administrator permissions because it affects the entire system, not just your user account. Your password proves you have permission to make system-wide changes. This is a security feature that prevents unauthorized programs from being installed without your knowledge.
Can I install software on Linux without an internet connection?
Not through your software manager or command line — both need to read the software from online repositories. You can install from a downloaded file if you have it saved locally, but you'll need internet to read it in the first place.