Open DEB files

  • Full name
    Debian Linux Package Format
  • Developer
    N/A
  • Popularity
Have you encountered a problem with a DEB file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a DEB file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your DEB file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is DEB file?

The DEB file extension identifies standard Unix installation archives for Debian-based Linux distributions. Deb files contain several bzip, gzip, or LZMA compressed archives. In addition to the actual program data, a DEB file also contains information about installation and dependencies.

More info

In addition to the normal installation packages, so-called binary packages, there are also source packages containing uncoiled program data, the source text. Source packages are not easy to install, but must be converted to a binary package by compiling the source code.

Deb files are generally only installed on Debian-based systems. If a DEB file is executable (has the appropriate rights), it can be started and installed by double-clicking. They are not compatible with rpm packages (another Linux installation format), but can be converted with the alien program. It should be noted that, of course, the underlying architecture must remain the same. (a 64bit program only runs on a 64 bit operating system)

If you want to look into DEB files, a file manager such as the Konqueror or Midnight Commander is usually enough.

Programs which can open a DEB file

How to open file with DEB extension?

In order to open a file with DEB extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening DEB file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with DEB files, follow the instructions below.
1
Install 7-Zip or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening DEB files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support DEB files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of DEB files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set 7-Zip as the default program for opening DEB files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate DEB files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the 7-Zip applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where 7-Zip has been installed.

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Check the section that lists most common problems with DEB files

Sometimes problems with opening DEB files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

  • File data is corrupted
  • DEB files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
  • Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open DEB files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • DEB file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)

Possible conversions of DEB file

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