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Asked: 2024-09-25T13:40:04+05:30 In:

What is the method to view all software packages installed on Ubuntu 14.04, and how can they be removed?

I’ve been digging into my Ubuntu 14.04 setup lately because I’ve been noticing it’s not as snappy as it used to be. I figured it was about time to do a little spring cleaning on my software packages. The thing is, I’m not entirely sure how to view all the software packages installed on my system to see what I can get rid of.

I know there are terminal commands that can help me with this, but honestly, I could really use a little guidance here. Like, is it something simple that a newbie can handle, or does it require some crazy knowledge of Linux? I’ve heard about a command or two that can pull up a list of all the packages, but I’m not clear on the specifics. Do I just type in some command and poof—there’s a neat little list of everything I’ve ever installed?

Another thing I’m curious about is the best way to remove these packages once I identify the ones I don’t need anymore. I’ve heard that removing certain packages can cause issues, especially if they have dependencies on other software, so I want to make sure I’m not wiping out something critical that my system needs. Is there a straightforward way to check for those dependencies before I hit the delete button?

And if I do end up removing something and my system goes haywire, is there an easy way to reinstall it? Like, can I just use the same command I used to remove it, or is it a totally different process?

I mean, I know this is a common task for those well-versed in Linux, but I’m really hoping someone can break it down for me in a way that’s easy to follow. I’d love some step-by-step instructions or tips from someone who’s been there before. Cheers for any help you could throw my way!

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    2 Answers



    1. Ubuntu 14.04 Package Management 101

      Cleaning Up Your Ubuntu 14.04 Packages

      So you want to clean up your Ubuntu system? No worries, it’s totally doable, even for beginners! Here’s a simple breakdown of how to check out the installed software and what to do next.

      Step 1: Viewing Installed Packages

      To see all the software packages installed on your system, you can use the terminal. Don’t be scared of it! Just follow these steps:

      1. Open your terminal. You can usually find it in your applications menu or press Ctrl + Alt + T.
      2. Type in this command and hit Enter:
        3. dpkg --get-selections
      3. This will give you a long list of all the installed packages. You can scroll through it or pipe the output into a file for easier reading:
        4. dpkg --get-selections > installed-packages.txt
      4. Now, you can open the installed-packages.txt file with any text editor to browse the list.

      Step 2: Uninstalling Packages

      Found some packages you don’t need? Time to uninstall! Just remember, it’s good practice to check before you delete:

      1. To remove a package, use this command:
        2. sudo apt-get remove
      2. To check dependencies before removing, run:
        3. apt-cache rdepends
      3. This command will list what other packages depend on the package you’re thinking of removing. If something crucial is relying on it, maybe you should reconsider!

      Step 3: Reinstalling Packages

      Uh-oh, did you accidentally uninstall something you needed? No problem! You can reinstall it easily:

      1. Use the same command as above, but replace “remove” with “install”:
        2. sudo apt-get install
      2. That’s it! Your package should be back in action.

      Final Tips

      As you’re cleaning up:

      • Be cautious and double-check what you’re removing.
      • Read any prompts or warnings in the terminal.
      • Don’t hesitate to reach out to forums if you’re ever unsure!

      With these tips, you should be able to navigate package management in Ubuntu like a pro (or at least somewhat like one)! Good luck with your spring cleaning!


    2. To view all the software packages installed on your Ubuntu 14.04 system, you can use the terminal. Simply open a terminal window and run the following command:

      dpkg --get-selections

      This command will list all the installed packages in a neat format. If you’d like to search for specific packages or filter the list, you can pipe the output to grep, like so:

      dpkg --get-selections | grep

      To remove a package you no longer need, you will typically use the apt-get remove command followed by the package name. However, before doing that, it’s wise to check for dependencies using:

      apt-cache depends

      This command will show you any dependencies associated with the package. If you accidentally remove something essential, you can reinstall it using:

      sudo apt-get install

      In case you remove a package and your system encounters issues, using the same install command will restore the package along with any dependencies it needs. Be cautious when removing packages, as some may be critical for your system’s operation.

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