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When I install packages using --no-install-recommends, can I say only packages listed here (Ubuntu Package Search) as "depends" are installed?

I ask because I suspect some problems with boot might be caused by some packages not being installed. Some time back, I also had problems with Wireless Drivers and seemed to be missing something.

Diogo Gomes
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Jiew Meng
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1 Answers1

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That's correct. By default, Ubuntu installs recommended but not suggested packages. With --no-install-recommends, only the main dependencies (packages in the Depends field) are installed.

Lekensteyn
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  • Since installing using `--in-install-recommends` leads to problems ([boot up in my case](http://askubuntu.com/questions/65079/just-installed-a-cli-system-then-ubuntu-desktop-does-not-boot-automatically)), if I install the Full Ubuntu Desktop then remove Applications (recommends & suggests) I don't need it should give the same result as doing it from a CLI system? Would there be any clutter/un-used applications left behind? If I use software center I suppose there will be things left behind? – Jiew Meng Oct 10 '11 at 22:40
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    Installing with `--no-install-recommends` vs. removing packages afterwards is not the same. The first skips *all* recommended packages where in the second case, some packages may still be installed (as dependency of another package). I suggest you using the Alternate installer which allows you to select packages you want to install. – Lekensteyn Oct 11 '11 at 08:59
  • if I do a `autoremove` afterwards, I will still not have a similar result I suppose? – Jiew Meng Oct 11 '11 at 12:47
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    `autoremove` only removes packages which are marked "auto" with no packages depending on them, so no, you won't get a similar result. – Lekensteyn Oct 11 '11 at 13:18