How to Install and Remove Software in Linux (apt, yum, dnf Explained)

How to Install and Remove Software in Linux:Linux offers multiple ways to install and manage software, depending on your distribution (distro). If you are new to Linux, terms like apt, yum, and dnf may sound confusing. But don’t worry—this guide will explain everything in detail so you can easily install, update, and remove applications on your Linux system.

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How to Install and Remove Software in Linux:Package Managers in Linux

A package manager is a tool that helps you install, update, configure, and remove software. Instead of manually downloading and compiling programs, package managers fetch them from online repositories and handle dependencies automatically.

The most common package managers are:

• APT (Advanced Package Tool) → Used in Debian-based distros like Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Pop!_OS.
• YUM (Yellowdog Updater, Modified) → Used in older RHEL/CentOS systems.
• DNF (Dandified YUM) → The modern replacement for YUM, used in Fedora, CentOS 8+, RHEL 8+.

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🔹 Installing and Removing Software with APT (Debian/Ubuntu)

If you are using Ubuntu, Debian, or Mint, you’ll use apt.

1. Update Package Repository

Before installing new software, always update your package list:

1. Update Package Repository

Before installing new software, always update your package list:

sudo apt update

2. Install Software

Example: Installing Firefox

sudo apt install firefox

3. Remove Software

If you no longer need the software:

sudo apt remove firefox

4. Remove Software with Config Files

To remove the application and its configuration files:

sudo apt purge firefox

Clean Unused Packages

sudo apt autoremove

👉 Tip: Always combine apt update && apt upgrade regularly to keep your system secure and up-to-date.

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🔹 Installing and Removing Software with YUM (Older RHEL/CentOS)

If you are on an older CentOS 7 / RHEL 7, you’ll be using yum.

1. Update Repositories

sudo yum update

2. Install Software

Example: Installing Apache web server

sudo yum install httpd

3. Remove Software

sudo yum remove httpd

4. Check Installed Package Info

yum info httpd

👉 Note: YUM is considered deprecated in newer versions. Modern distros now use dnf.

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🔹 Installing and Removing Software with DNF (Fedora, CentOS 8+, RHEL 8+)

dnf is the next-generation package manager that replaced yum.

1. Update Repositories

sudo dnf update

2. Install Software (Example: Git)

sudo dnf install git

3. Remove Software

sudo dnf remove git

4. Get Package Info

dnf info git

5. Search for a Package

dnf search nginx

🔹 Difference Between apt, yum, and dnf

Feature	APT (Debian/Ubuntu)	YUM (CentOS/RHEL 7)	DNF (Fedora/RHEL 8+)
Speed	Fast	Moderate	Faster (better deps)
Syntax	apt install	yum install	dnf install
Updates	apt upgrade	yum update	dnf upgrade
Status	Actively used	Deprecated	Modern replacement

🔹 GUI Software Centers

If you are not comfortable with the command line, most Linux distros come with a GUI Software Center:

• Ubuntu → Ubuntu Software Center
• Fedora → GNOME Software
• Linux Mint → Software Manager

These let you search, install, and remove apps with just a click.

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🔹 Final Tips for Beginners

1. Always run update before installing packages.
2. Use search if you don’t know the exact package name (apt search, dnf search).
3. For critical software, check the version with info.
4. Learn the difference between remove and purge in apt.

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