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Asked: 2024-09-23T14:52:43+05:30 In:

What is the method to display a comprehensive list of all packages that have been installed on an Ubuntu system?

I’ve been trying to clean up my Ubuntu system and I realized I have no clue about all the packages I’ve got installed. I mean, there are so many, and I want to know what’s actually on my machine. I imagine I’m not the only one who’s ever been in this situation, right?

So, I was wondering: what’s the best way for me to pull up a comprehensive list of all the packages that are installed on my Ubuntu system? Is there a simple command I can run in the terminal to see everything? I’ve heard of a few commands here and there, but I’m not sure which one truly lists everything out clearly. Also, if there are any tips on filtering this list or maybe getting additional details about the packages—like versions or descriptions—I’d love to hear those too!

Honestly, my terminal skills are still pretty basic, and sometimes I get worried I might break something if I run the wrong command. So, if there’s a recommended way to go about this without getting too deep into the technical jargon, that’d be awesome!

For those who’ve done this before, how do you usually keep track of your installed packages? Is there a particular command or maybe a tool you find helpful? I just want to get a clear overview, maybe even to prepare for future updates or to clear out old packages that I no longer use. It would be a massive help for when I’m trying to free up disk space or just streamline my system.

If anyone could share their wisdom on this, I’d really appreciate it. I’m excited to hear what you all do, and maybe even learn some neat tricks along the way! Looking forward to your suggestions!

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    2 Answers



    1. How to List Installed Packages on Ubuntu

      Finding Installed Packages on Ubuntu

      If you’re looking to see all the packages installed on your Ubuntu system, don’t worry—it’s super easy! Just open up your terminal and run this command:

      dpkg --get-selections

      This will give you a list of all installed (and even some not-installed) packages. But if you want something a bit clearer and more detailed, you can try:

      apt list --installed

      This command shows you all the installed packages along with their versions, which is really handy if you’re trying to keep track of everything on your system.

      Getting More Details

      If you’re curious about a specific package, you can use this command to get more info:

      apt show <package_name>

      Just replace <package_name> with the name of the package you want to know about. You’ll see details like the version, description, and even dependencies.

      Tips for Filtering the List

      If you want to narrow down your list, you can use the grep command. For example:

      apt list --installed | grep <keyword>

      This will show you all installed packages that contain your keyword. It’s a neat way to find packages related to a specific tool or library!

      Keeping Track of Packages

      To manage your packages better, you might want to consider using Synaptic Package Manager. It’s a graphical tool that lets you browse through your installed packages easily. You can install it with:

      sudo apt install synaptic

      Once installed, you can open it and get a visual overview of all the packages, which is less intimidating than using terminal commands!

      Don’t Worry!

      It’s totally normal to feel a bit anxious about using terminal commands, but as long as you stick to the commands mentioned above, you should be safe. Just avoid any commands you find online that you don’t understand completely.

      Good luck with your package management journey! You’ll get the hang of it in no time!


    2. To generate a comprehensive list of all the packages installed on your Ubuntu system, you can simply use the dpkg command in your terminal. The command you need is dpkg --get-selections, which will display a list of all installed packages. If you want to see additional details such as the package versions and descriptions, you can use apt list --installed. This command not only lists the packages but also provides version information in a neat format, making it easier to understand what’s installed. Running these commands is safe and won’t harm your system, so you can feel confident in executing them.

      Additionally, if you’re looking to filter this list or find a specific package, you can use the grep command in conjunction with your package list commands. For example, you could run apt list --installed | grep [package_name] to search for a specific package. If you’re considering removing old packages to free up space, you might find the apt autoremove command helpful, as it automatically removes unnecessary packages that were installed as dependencies and are no longer needed. To maintain an overview of your installed packages, consider using graphical tools like Synaptic Package Manager, which provides a user-friendly interface to manage your packages without diving too deep into command-line operations.

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