Installing Microsoft Visual Studio Code on Ubuntu and Other Linux

Microsoft did the unexpected by releasing Visual Studio Code for all major desktop platforms, that includes Linux as well. Soon after its release, Microsoft Visual Code became one of the best open source code editors. The features it provides are useful not only to web developers, but for all kinds of programmers.

I am not going to list the features of Visual Studio Code here. I presume you already know them. So, here, I am going to show you how to install Visual Studio Code on Ubuntu and other Linux distributions.

Method 1: Install Visual Studio Code on Linux using Snap

Visual Studio Code is available as a Snap package. Ubuntu users can find it in the Software Center itself and install it in a couple of clicks.

Snap packaging means you can install it in any Linux distribution that supports Snap packages. Make sure to enable Snap support on your Linux distribution if you haven’t done already.

sudo snap install code --classic

The installation will depend on your internet connection speed.

Remove VS Code Snap

You can remove VS Code installed as a snap both through software center and terminal.

Open the Software Center and browse VS Code in the “installed” apps section. Click on remove to uninstall it.

Or, open a terminal and enter the following command, it is that easy:

sudo snap remove --purge code

Method 2: Using the .deb/.rpm packages

Microsoft provides packages to install Visual Studio Code on Linux. Just head over to the download page of Visual Studio Code, and you’ll find the .deb and .rpm files options for the Linux platform.

There are options for 32-bit systems as well. If you’re not sure about that, you can read our guide to find if your Ubuntu is 32 bit or 64 bit and then download the files accordingly.

Once downloaded, you can simply follow the method suitable to you to install a deb file on Ubuntu (or other Ubuntu-based distros).

Or, you can explore the right-click menu on the downloaded deb file and select open with software center.

If you do not find the option there, select Open with other applications and from and next, Software Install.

Now, press the “Install” button in the Software Center to install it.

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Remove VS Code deb/rpm app

Removing software that was installed from a .deb file is the same as removing any app from the Software Center.

Just go to the Ubuntu Software Center, search for the application name and click on Uninstall to remove it.

Alternatively, you can use Synaptic Package Manager if you do not find it listed on the Ubuntu Software Center for some reason.

Method 3: Using Flatpak

Hate using snap packages? You can always utilize Flatpak.

I’d suggest you to refer to our guide to use Flatpak on Linux if you are a new user.

Of course, if you have Flatpak support in your software store, you can simply look for the Visual Studio Code and get it installed.

Once you have added Flatpak support, you can install the app using the following command:

flatpak install flathub com.visualstudio.code

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Remove VS Code Flatpak

As in the case of snap, the Flatpak version can be removed either through the Flatpak supported Software center, or through the terminal.

Open the Software Center and browse for VS Code in installed apps. Now click on uninstall to remove it.

Or, open a terminal and enter:

flatpak uninstall com.visualstudio.code

If you would rather not keep the unused runtimes and packages installed, which are no longer required, then run:

flatpak uninstall --unused

Bonus Tip: Removing VS Code data

VS Code keeps some data on the disk. If you reinstall it, you'll find that your extensions and some other settings are still present.

If you want to remove all traces of VS Code from the system, you should also remove these application related files.

Usually, it creates .vscode folder in the home directory and a folder named Code in .config directory in your home directory.

You delete these folders and it should remove all presence of VS Code.

Conclusion

As a last resort, you can always build it from the source code. You can find the source code of VS Code on its GitHub page.

It’s pretty easy to install Visual Studio Code on Ubuntu thanks to Snap, Flatpak, or deb/rpm packages available.

Now that you know — what method do you prefer to install Microsoft’s Visual Studio Code on Linux?

You are welcome to let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

If you are curious to explore alternatives and more options to code on Linux, here are some picks for you:

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