sudo apt autoremove

[asqwerth]

Unfortunately the "autoremove" portion is simply part of the terminal message that comes up in Debian's apt dist-upgrade process, as I understand it.

And since mx updater is a front end to that command, the terminal window that opens in mx-updater will show that too.

Wonder if a warning pop-up the first time one clicks on the updater is warranted. On the other hand, there are users who hate having so many one-time warning pop-ups (eg in the mxpi test repo and flatpak tabs).

[dolphin_oracle]

Unfortunately the "autoremove" portion is simply part of the terminal message that comes up in Debian's apt dist-upgrade process, as I understand it.

And since mx updater is a front end to that command, the terminal window that opens in mx-updater will show that too.

Wonder if a warning pop-up the first time one clicks on the updater is warranted. On the other hand, there are users who hate having so many one-time warning pop-ups (eg in the mxpi test repo and flatpak tabs).

the message is perfectly valid, and it says what to do. I don't think a warning is necessary.

we used to have autoremove as an option in mx-updater, but we removed it some time ago due to the possibility of disasters.

[MXRobo]

the message is perfectly valid, and it says what to do. I don't think a warning is necessary.

we used to have autoremove as an option in mx-updater, but we removed it some time ago due to the possibility of disasters.
[/quote]

Dolphin,
For redundant clarification I am referring to something like this:

Code: Select all

The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
  linux-headers-4.15.0-45 linux-headers-4.15.0-45-generic linux-image-4.15.0-45-generic linux-modules-4.15.0-45-generic linux-modules-extra-4.15.0-45-generic
Use 'apt autoremove' to remove them.

Or sudo apt autoremove.

- which could be interpreted as though it is encouraged.

Here’s three points of views on how to deal with this, the first being more detailed.
https://unix.stackexchange.com/question ... r-required
https://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/debian-ub ... installed/
https://itectec.com/ubuntu/ubuntu-the-f ... at-to-do/

I biasedly included two from my INITIAL perspective.

But, in THIS post, I am not advocating for a warning – just showing my initial, and others possible interpretations.
Have a nice day.

[dolphin_oracle]

It’s fine to do the auto remove but it should be manual so you have a chance to see what else gets removed

[Ironfighter]

This is quite an eye opener for me. I do my updates regularly and if I see the auto remove message that’s what I do. I have never broken anything in the past 2 years since I left Windows for MX. But it seems I could have done?

My question is how does a non technical user like myself decide what to do if I see that message? Is there a “how to” guide?

[dolphin_oracle]

This is quite an eye opener for me. I do my updates regularly and if I see the auto remove message that’s what I do. I have never broken anything in the past 2 years since I left Windows for MX. But it seems I could have done?

My question is how does a non technical user like myself decide what to do if I see that message? Is there a “how to” guide?

what I do is...if the autoremove only removes the things that were expected, then its OK. if all of a sudden 100s of packages are being removed, then I stop the process.

[Ironfighter]

what I do is...if the autoremove only removes the things that were expected, then its OK. if all of a sudden 100s of packages are being removed, then I stop the process.

Thanks for your advice

[rmcaetanoalves]

This is quite an eye opener for me. I do my updates regularly and if I see the auto remove message that’s what I do. I have never broken anything in the past 2 years since I left Windows for MX. But it seems I could have done?

My question is how does a non technical user like myself decide what to do if I see that message? Is there a “how to” guide?

what I do is...if the autoremove only removes the things that were expected, then its OK. if all of a sudden 100s of packages are being removed, then I stop the process.

This "apt autoremove" tool is just amazing and works great for me.

Can you get me a question regarding 2 commands?

apt update (checks packages to update)
apt upgrade (installs the packages listed for upgrade)

My question is, is there a command that checks packages to update and immediately asks if I want to install them? Or do I need to do both steps;

1. apt update
2. apt upgrade

Or if I just use "apt upgrade" will I check for updates and prepare to install?

[seaken64]

rmcaetanoalves, The MX Updater does that for you.

To OP, FWIW, I routinely run the autoremove and autoclean commands. But from the command line. If I see something weird I stop the process until I know what is going to be removed. Ask on the forum until you know what is up. And I agree with the comments that it is not necessary with so many bytes of storage now available. But I also have a lot of old machines with limited storage space.

Just learn to do it manually. It should not be a part of the automatic routine, although you can set it up that way if you want.

Seaken64

[rmcaetanoalves]

rmcaetanoalves, The MX Updater does that for you.

To OP, FWIW, I routinely run the autoremove and autoclean commands. But from the command line. If I see something weird I stop the process until I know what is going to be removed. Ask on the forum until you know what is up. And I agree with the comments that it is not necessary with so many bytes of storage now available. But I also have a lot of old machines with limited storage space.

Just learn to do it manually. It should not be a part of the automatic routine, although you can set it up that way if you want.

Seaken64

I think I expressed myself wrongly, or you got it wrong.
I'm trying to summarize the entire update and removal process in 2 commands, via the terminal (without the need for the MX Updater)

apt autoremove (to remove unnecessary and obsolete packages)
apt update (check for updates)
apt upgrade (install updates)

I'm trying to find out if there is a way to check for updates and install them (if any) with a single command.
No need to use "apt update" and then "apt upgrade"

an alternative I'm using is;
sudo apt update; sudo apt autoremove; sudo apt upgrade