Windows
Linux
Package Management
Windows winget install / choco install equivalent in Linux
Installs programs and tools from an online repository — like an App Store for the terminal.
Windows
→
winget install / choco install
Linux equivalents
sudo apt update && sudo apt install PACKAGE
sudo dnf install PACKAGE
sudo pacman -S PACKAGE
Overview
What this command does
Installs programs and tools from an online repository — like an App Store for the terminal.
Migration tip: Linux package managers are one of its best features. No hunting for installers online — just type the package name and it installs, along with any dependencies automatically.
Practical tasks
Common use cases
Install software packages
Installs programs and tools from an online repository — like an App Store for the terminal.
apt install pkg
Install a package (Debian/Ubuntu)
dnf install pkg
Install a package (Fedora/RHEL)
pacman -S pkg
Install a package (Arch Linux)
Ready to run
Copyable Linux commands
Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.
sudo apt install vlc
sudo apt install htop curl git
apt search video player
apt show vlc
Walkthrough
Examples with explanations
# Windows: winget install vlc
sudo apt install vlc # install VLC media player
sudo apt install htop curl git # install multiple at once
# Search before installing:
apt search video player # find packages
apt show vlc # read about it firstReference
Common options and variations
| Command or option | Use |
|---|---|
apt install pkg | Install a package (Debian/Ubuntu) |
dnf install pkg | Install a package (Fedora/RHEL) |
pacman -S pkg | Install a package (Arch Linux) |
apt search pkg | Search for a package by name |
apt show pkg | Show package description and info |
apt install -y pkg | Install without confirmation prompt |
Distro differences
Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch
This workflow changes mostly by Linux distribution package manager: Debian/Ubuntu uses apt, Fedora uses dnf, and Arch uses pacman.
| Distribution | Package manager / base | Equivalent command | Difference to notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian/Ubuntu | apt | sudo apt update && sudo apt install PACKAGE |
APT installs from configured .deb repositories. |
| Fedora | dnf | sudo dnf install PACKAGE |
DNF installs from RPM repositories and handles dependencies. |
| Arch | pacman | sudo pacman -S PACKAGE |
Pacman installs from enabled Arch repositories; use exact package names. |
Keep learning