I cannot install deb files with the software centre. What are the immediate workarounds?

Question

I need to install .deb files - I've just updated and I need my programmes. However, due to a High priority (yet unassigned) bug, I cannot.

Meta discussion of shipping with bugs aside, how can I install my .deb files?

Answer 1

As you mention, this is a bug which affects lots of people. Add that it affects you on the launchpad page if you wish.

So first - how to install things?

Method 1 - alternative GUI

GDebi is a package installer like the software centre, except it only handles DEB files - it's not an app store.

You can install GDebi with the software centre as it is in the repositories, or with sudo apt-get install gdebi.

Next, download your DEB file.

Then, to install the package, open GDebi and click File -> Open and navigate to the downloaded DEB file.

It can take a while to add the open the package - it took around 10 seconds for me.

Then check everything is OK, and click install.

It will finish, and the program will be installed.

Method 2 - command line

While apt-get cannot install from a DEB file, all apt-get does is download the file and then call dpkg. We can do those tasks ourselves really simply.

First, we download the file.

Then we open a terminal and navigate to our download location.

And run the command:

sudo dpkg -i FileName.deb

replacing FileName with the name of the file.

Finally, run this:

sudo apt-get install -f

This "fixes" everything - it resolves all dependencies etc.