How to Install Synaptic Package Manager on Ubuntu 25.10

The Synaptic Package Manager is one of the most reliable and user-friendly tools for managing software on Ubuntu and other Debian-based distributions. It gives you a graphical interface (GUI) to handle everything that the apt command does — from installing and removing packages to upgrading your system — all with just a few clicks. On Ubuntu 25.10, Synaptic isn’t pre-installed by default, but adding it to your system is very simple.

Step 1: Update System Packages

Always start by updating your repositories to ensure you get the latest software versions and avoid dependency issues:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

This ensures your package manager is aware of the most recent available versions before you proceed with Synaptic installation.

Step 2: Install Synaptic Package Manager

Synaptic is part of Ubuntu’s official repositories, so there’s no need to add any external sources. Simply run:

sudo apt install synaptic -y

This will download and install all required dependencies automatically.

Step 3: Launch Synaptic

Once installed, you can launch Synaptic from the Applications Menu by searching for “Synaptic Package Manager.”
Alternatively, you can open it directly from the terminal using:

sudo synaptic

Since Synaptic allows changes to core system packages, you’ll be prompted for your administrator password.

Step 4: Using Synaptic for Package Management

When the application opens, you’ll see a clean and structured interface divided into several sections:

• Search bar – Quickly find any package by name or keyword.

• Sections pane – Browse software categories such as “System,” “Development,” or “Internet.”

• Status view – View installed, upgradable, or broken packages.

• Apply changes button – Confirm all installation or removal actions.

You can use Synaptic to install software like curl, vlc, or gimp without typing long terminal commands. It also allows you to lock versions of packages so they won’t update automatically, which is useful in production or testing environments.

Step 5: Remove or Reinstall Packages Easily

If a package is misbehaving or you want to clean up your system, Synaptic lets you remove or completely purge any installed software.

• To remove a package: right-click → Mark for Removal.

• To purge it (including configuration files): right-click → Mark for Complete Removal.
  Then click Apply to execute the changes.

Why Use Synaptic in 2025

With Ubuntu 25.10 introducing newer features and software versions, managing dependencies can become tricky. Synaptic provides a visual layer of control that helps both beginners and advanced users monitor updates and package changes more safely than raw command-line operations.

It’s also ideal for server administrators who prefer manual control over automatic package upgrades.

The Synaptic Package Manager is now fully installed and configured on your Ubuntu 25.10 system. You can use it to browse, install, update, or remove software with just a few clicks — making package management more intuitive and efficient.

If you found this tutorial helpful, explore more step-by-step Linux and server setup guides on DROPVPS.com. Our team regularly publishes practical tutorials for Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, and Windows Server to help you manage and optimize your systems with confidence.