Ubuntu's App Center Finally Supports Local Installs Again
If you regularly download .deb files and would prefer a GUI method of installing, Ubuntu has your back.
It's been a long time coming (and frequently requested), but Ubuntu will now allow you to install local .deb packages from within the App Center. This new feature should already be installed via a recent update starting with version 23.10 and up (with a catch).
Before you get too excited, it's not as if the Ubuntu App Center allows you to locate a downloaded .deb file and install it from within the UI. Instead, what you have to do is right-click a downloaded .deb file, click Open With, select the App Center, and allow it to finish the job for you. There also is a catch. Currently, the feature is only available to the Snap Edge channel, which requires you to switch with the command sudo snap refresh snap-store --channel=latest/edge. After you've switched channels, you'll then be able to go through the right-click process.
After a quick test of the Edge channel version of the App Center, I found it to be considerably more usable than the default. If, however, you don't like the idea of using software that's not been fully vetted and tested, I'd stick with the default and wait for the feature to arrive in the official release.
On top of that new feature, you'll also be able to update all installed Snap packages using the Update All options from within the management section. I will also mention that updating the App Center to the Edge channel solved a problem with a Firefox snap that was unable to update.
You can check out this Ubuntu app-center GitHub discussion to find out more.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Gnome 47.1 Released with a Few Fixes
The latest release of the Gnome desktop is all about fixing a few nagging issues and not about bringing new features into the mix.
-
System76 Unveils an Ampere-Powered Thelio Desktop
If you're looking for a new desktop system for developing autonomous driving and software-defined vehicle solutions. System76 has you covered.
-
VirtualBox 7.1.4 Includes Initial Support for Linux kernel 6.12
The latest version of VirtualBox has arrived and it not only adds initial support for kernel 6.12 but another feature that will make using the virtual machine tool much easier.
-
New Slimbook EVO with Raw AMD Ryzen Power
If you're looking for serious power in a 14" ultrabook that is powered by Linux, Slimbook has just the thing for you.
-
The Gnome Foundation Struggling to Stay Afloat
The foundation behind the Gnome desktop environment is having to go through some serious belt-tightening due to continued financial problems.
-
Thousands of Linux Servers Infected with Stealth Malware Since 2021
Perfctl is capable of remaining undetected, which makes it dangerous and hard to mitigate.
-
Halcyon Creates Anti-Ransomware Protection for Linux
As more Linux systems are targeted by ransomware, Halcyon is stepping up its protection.
-
Valve and Arch Linux Announce Collaboration
Valve and Arch have come together for two projects that will have a serious impact on the Linux distribution.
-
Hacker Successfully Runs Linux on a CPU from the Early ‘70s
From the office of "Look what I can do," Dmitry Grinberg was able to get Linux running on a processor that was created in 1971.
-
OSI and LPI Form Strategic Alliance
With a goal of strengthening Linux and open source communities, this new alliance aims to nurture the growth of more highly skilled professionals.