Ubuntu Server 25.10 will no longer include wget by default, switching to wcurl instead. Fresh installations will see this change when 25.10 releases in October.
wget has been the standard command-line download tool on Linux systems for years. Most server administrators and scripts rely on its straightforward syntax for file downloads.
On the other hand, wcurl is a simple curl wrapper that lets you download files without remembering curl parameters, using curl under the hood with sane defaults.
What's Happening: Ubuntu's server team is streamlining default packages, eliminating redundant tools, and reducing duplicate functionality in the default installation. The transition is being carried out now, as it is more practical than waiting for Ubuntu 26.10's development cycle.
Other changes include the removal of GNU Screen and Byobu terminal multiplexers in favor of Tmux. The cleanup targets duplicate functionality while maintaining a a well-equipped default server installation.
Announcing this change, John Chittum, Engineering Manager at Canonical, added that:
This is made much easier because of wcurl being made available in the version of curl in 25.10. It is a drop-in replacement for the simple calls, and has the majority of wget functionality. For more complex cases, such as mirroring, wget is still the correct answer.
What to Expect: Fresh Ubuntu Server 25.10 installations ship with wcurl instead of wget. Existing servers upgraded from previous versions will keep their current wget installations.
Furthermore, wget will remain in the 'supported' seed group, which includes packages officially supported by Canonical but not installed by default. These packages receive security updates throughout the release lifespan.
If you didn't know, wcurl handles basic downloading, including parallel downloads, redirects, file overwrite protection, and automatic filename selection. However, if it doesn't suit your workflow, you can easily restore wget by running the following command:
sudo apt install wgetVia: Omg! Ubuntu
