> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://itsfoss.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # How to Extract Deb Files - URL: https://itsfoss.com/extract-deb-file/ - Published: 2023-09-02T05:52:19.000Z - Updated: 2024-08-07T03:25:11.000Z - Description: Want to see what a deb package consists of? Learn to extract a deb file in Ubuntu. - Author: Sagar Sharma - Tags: Ubuntu, #hide In Debian and Ubuntu, you get software packaged in .deb file format. Installing an application from the Deb file is similar to using MSI files in Windows. You **double-click on the deb file and it gets installed with the software center**. [3 Ways to Install Deb Files on Ubuntu & Remove Them LaterThis beginner article explains how to install deb packages on Ubuntu. It also shows you how to remove those deb packages afterward.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/12/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2019/02/deb-packages-ubuntu.png)](https://itsfoss.com/install-deb-files-ubuntu/) That's what most end users would do with the deb files. However, if you are a developer or a tech-savvy advanced user, you may extract the deb file to see some information before you install the package from it. 📋 Extracting a deb file is different from running a deb file. If you want to install an application from deb file, you run it by double clicking on it. Extracting to see its content is different from installation. **The extracted version of the deb file will contain nothing but multiple files such as the control archive (info about package name, dependencies, version, etc.), scripts, data archives, conf files, documentation, and other files.** Most users would never need this. Still, I will walk you through multiple ways to extract a deb file in Ubuntu Linux. ## Extract deb files in Ubuntu In this tutorial, I will walk you through two different ways to extract deb files in Ubuntu or any other Linux distribution: - Using system archive manager (easy) - Using the dpkg-deb command Let's start with the easy one. ### 1\. Extract deb files using the system archive manager This is the easiest way to extract files in Linux as all it takes is a couple of clicks and your file will be extracted at the desired location. **No terminal is required!** To extract files using this method, you have to follow the given steps: - Right-click on the deb file and select Open With Archive Manager option. - It will show the contents of the archive, Simply press the `Extract` button. - From the file manager choose where you want to extract the file and click on the `Extract` button. ![Extract deb files using the system archive manager](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/08/Use-system-archive-manager-to-extract-deb-file-in-Ubuntu-Linux.png) Once done, you will the deb file is extracted at the selected location: ![extract deb files in Linux](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/08/Extract-deb-files-in-Linux.png) But as you can see, there are more tar files (another form of compressed file), and if you want to [learn how to untar files](https://learnubuntu.com/untar-files/?ref=itsfoss.com) then here's the detailed guide: [Untar Files in UbuntuLearn to extract various kinds of tar files in Ubuntu command line.![](https://learnubuntu.com/assets/icon-192x192.png?v=fc3ea7573a)Learn UbuntuSagar Sharma![](https://learnubuntu.com/content/images/2023/06/untar-files.png)](https://learnubuntu.com/untar-files/?ref=itsfoss.com) ### 2\. Extract deb files using the dpkg-deb command The main benefit of using this method is unlike earlier, it won't leave any tar files behind and the output will be ready to use without extra steps. To use the dpkg-deb command, you have to follow the given command syntax: ``` dpkg-deb -R /path/to/target.deb /path/to/extact ``` For example, here, I extracted a discord deb file to the test directory: ![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/08/Extract-deb-files-in-linux-using-the-dpkg-deb-command.png) As you can see, when I used the ls command, it showed no tar files further, making it a ready-to-go choice for advanced users. ## Here's how you deal with other archive files If you have files with different types of compression applied to it, here's how you deal with the most of them: Learn how to unzip files in Ubuntu: [How to Unzip Files in Ubuntu & Other Linux \[Terminal & GUI\]This quick tip shows you how to unzip a file in Ubuntu and other Linux distributions. Both terminal and GUI methods have been discussed.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/12/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2019/10/unzip-file-linux.png)](https://itsfoss.com/unzip-linux/) Here's how you extract `tar.xz` files in Linux: [How to Extract or Unzip tar.xz File in LinuxLearn how to unzip tar.xz file in Linux terminal. Also learn what are tar and xz files.![](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2021/08/Linux-Handbook-New-Logo.png)Linux HandbookAbhishek Prakash![](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/2020/06/archive-file.png)](https://linuxhandbook.com/extract-tar-xz/?ref=itsfoss.com) And if you want to learn using the tar command itself to create, extract and modify the existing tar files then here you go: [How to Create and Extract Tarballs in Linux Command LineTar is one of the most common tool used for archiving files in Linux. Learn how to create a tarball and how to extract it in the beginner’s tutorial.![](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2021/08/Linux-Handbook-New-Logo.png)Linux HandbookChristopher Murray![](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/2020/06/Tar-Command-2.png)](https://linuxhandbook.com/basic-tar-commands/?ref=itsfoss.com) I hope you will find this guide helpful.