wget Ubuntu Default Install Dropped?

Goodbye wget: Ubuntu will drop it from the default install starting with the 25.10 release (and it is already absent from 24.04 minimal images). This means a fresh Ubuntu desktop or server install will no longer include the wget command out of the box, so you will need to install it yourself or use an alternative like curl.

Why Ubuntu Is Removing wget

Ubuntu’s default install has been shrinking for years. The goal is a smaller, more secure base system with fewer packages that need security updates. wget is a powerful tool, but it is not something every user needs, and its interactive features are rarely used in scripts. curl is already installed by default on most Ubuntu systems and handles the vast majority of HTTP/HTTPS downloads. The change is part of a broader effort to trim the default image, which also removed other utilities like ftp and telnet in earlier releases.

It is important to note that wget is not being removed from the Ubuntu repositories. It remains available in the universe archive and will continue to receive updates. The change only affects what is pre-installed on a new system. Existing installations that already have wget will keep it, and it will still be updated normally.

How to Install wget on Ubuntu (If You Need It)

If you rely on wget for its recursive mirroring, resuming interrupted downloads, or its simple command-line syntax, you can install it in seconds:

1. Open a terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T).
2. Update the package list: sudo apt update
3. Install wget: sudo apt install wget

That is all. The package is small and installs quickly. If you are on a minimal server, you may need to enable the universe repository first, but on standard desktop and server installs it is already enabled.

wget vs. curl: Which Should You Use?

The most common question is whether you should switch to curl or keep wget. Here is a quick comparison:

• Syntax: wget uses wget URL; curl uses curl -O URL to save the file with its original name.
• Recursive downloads: wget is better for mirroring entire websites with wget -r. curl does not do recursive downloads natively.
• Resume interrupted downloads: Both support it: wget -c and curl -C -.
• Uploads and API calls: curl is far more versatile, supporting many protocols and methods (POST, PUT, etc.).
• Availability: curl is already installed by default on Ubuntu, so you do not need to install anything.

For most users who just want to download a file, curl -O URL is a drop-in replacement. If you have scripts that use wget, you can either install wget or update the scripts to use curl.

What About Older Ubuntu Versions?

If you are using Ubuntu 24.04 LTS or earlier, wget is still included in the default install. The change only applies to new releases from 25.10 onward. However, if you are using a minimal install (the option you choose during installation), wget may already be missing. In that case, the same sudo apt install wget command works.

For those on LTS releases, you will not see this change until the next LTS (26.04) likely adopts it. But it is wise to start adapting now, especially if you manage many servers or write scripts that will be used on future systems.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

A frequent misconception is that wget is being deprecated or removed from Ubuntu entirely. That is false. It is still maintained and available. Another issue is that some scripts fail because they assume wget is present. To make your scripts more portable, you can add a fallback:

if command -v wget > /dev/null; then
    wget URL
else
    curl -O URL
fi

This way your script works whether wget is installed or not. Another common problem is that curl does not follow redirects by default, so you need curl -L to download a file from a URL that redirects (like many download links). wget follows redirects automatically.

Alternatives to wget and curl

Besides wget and curl, there are other tools for downloading files:

• aria2: A lightweight download utility that supports multiple connections and BitTorrent. Install with sudo apt install aria2.
• PowerShell: If you are in a Windows environment, Invoke-WebRequest or curl.exe (which is actually a wrapper) can be used, but this is not common on Ubuntu.
• Python: You can use python3 -c "import urllib.request; urllib.request.urlretrieve('URL', 'file')" for a quick download without extra packages.

For most users, curl is the best alternative because it is already installed and widely used in scripts and documentation.

How to Check if wget Is Installed

Before you panic, check whether wget is actually missing on your system. Open a terminal and type:

which wget

If it returns a path like /usr/bin/wget, it is installed. If it prints nothing or shows an error, it is not. You can also check the package status with dpkg -l wget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is wget being completely removed from Ubuntu?

No. It is only removed from the default installation. The package remains in the repositories and will continue to be updated. You can install it with sudo apt install wget at any time.

What is the difference between wget and curl?

Both download files from the internet, but curl is more feature-rich for API calls and supports many protocols (including FTP, SFTP, SMTP). wget is simpler for recursive downloads and is easier to use for a single file. For basic downloads, curl -O URL works just fine.

I have a script that uses wget. Will it break?

On a fresh Ubuntu 25.10+ system, yes, unless you install wget first. You can either add sudo apt install wget to your setup script, or modify your script to use curl instead.

Does this affect Ubuntu Server?

Yes, the change applies to both desktop and server default installs. Minimal server images have already omitted wget for a while. If you need it, install it as described above.

Will wget still receive security updates?

Yes. Since it remains in the Ubuntu repositories, it will continue to receive updates, including security patches, for the lifetime of the release.

Can I use wget on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS?

Yes, it is still included by default in 24.04. The change starts with 25.10 and will likely be in the next LTS (26.04). If you are on 24.04, you are fine for now.

Related

• Fix WHEA Uncorrectable Error Windows 10
• Fix Android Phone Not Showing Up on Mac
• Fix Local Security Authority Protection Is Off in Windows 11