Ubuntu: Automatic updates - how to do it

You can have updates installed automatically on Ubuntu. For this to work, however, you need to enable the automatic updates feature beforehand. How to do this correctly and how to perform updates manually instead, we show you here.

Ubuntu: How to enable automatic updates

To ensure that your operating system is always up to date and possible security holes are closed, it is recommended to enable the automatic updates feature under Ubuntu.

1. To do this, please navigate to "Applications & Updates" in the menu of your Ubuntu PC and switch to the "Updates" tab.
2. There, make sure that three checkmarks are set under "Install updates from" and from the drop-down menu next to "When security updates are available" please select the option "Automatically download and install".
3. In order to not only install security updates but all updates automatically, additionally set the entry "When other updates are available" to "Automatically download and install".
4. In order for the changes made to take effect, please finally enter your administrator password.

How to perform manual updates under Ubuntu

If you have not enabled automatic updates under Ubuntu, it is necessary to perform them manually. For this, you need to have an internet connection and open the Ubuntu console. To check for updates, please type the command "sudo apt-get update" in the console. If you are asked for your password, please enter it and confirm with the "Enter" key. You will now see a list with all available updates and can update your programs by typing the command "sudo apt-get upgrade".