How to Run an INSTALL.sh Script on Linux in 4 Easy Steps

PDF download Download Article
The easiest way to run an INSTALL.sh script in a Linux terminal window
PDF download Download Article

Did you download Linux software that came with an install.sh file? Install.sh is a simple text-based shell script that makes it easy to install software. To use an install.sh script, you'll first need to make it executable using chmod +x install.sh . Then, you can execute the script in a terminal with the command ./install.sh or sudo ./install.sh . This wikiHow guide will walk you through executing an install.sh file from the Linux command line using Ubuntu, Debian, and any other version of Linux.

How to Install .sh Files

Install.sh is a simple text-based shell script that makes it easy to install software. To use an install.sh script, you'll first need to make it executable using chmod +x install.sh. Then, you can execute the script in a terminal with the command ./install.sh or sudo ./install.sh.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. On most Linux desktop environments, you can open a Terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T . [1]
    • Before installing software, make sure to check the README or INSTALL file that came in your download for specific instructions and installation options.
  2. For example, if install.sh is in your Downloads folder, type cd ~/Downloads and press Enter to enter that directory.
    • If the file you downloaded is compressed into a TGZ or TAR.GZ archive, be sure to unpack the files first.
    • You can extract a TGZ or TAR.GZ file using the command tar -xzvf filename.tgz .
    • To make sure you’re in the right directory , type ls -a and press Enter . You should see your install.sh file, as well as all other files in the directory.
    Advertisement
  3. The trick to getting the install.sh script to run is to change its permissions . To do this, type chmod +x install.sh and press Enter . [2]
    • If you're unable to change the permissions, you'll need root access . Instead, run sudo chmod +x install.sh and press Enter .
    • If you don’t see an error, you’ll know the install script is now executable.
  4. To do this with root access, type sudo ./install.sh and press Enter . [3]
    • You can also use the command sudo bash install.sh or sudo sh install.sh to run the script.
    • If you're just installing the software in your own home directory and don't need root permissions, you can use omit sudo and use ./install.sh instead.
    • Depending on the script and app you're installing, you may be prompted to complete additional steps to install the software .
    5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How to run a Linux program from terminal
    Community Answer
    Enter these commands into the terminal: cd /location of file/. For example, /home/username/Documents./name_of_file.extension. Replace these with the name of the file/program and the extension (commonly .desktop in Linux or .exe (executable) or .sh (script). Make sure the file/program is marked as executable in its properties.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 2
  • Question
    I typed bash install.sh but the output was install: no input file specified?
    Community Answer
    Make sure you specify where the file needs to go or you might need to go into a folder outside of the home directory.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 0
  • Question
    What is too many argument error in installation?
    MOHMMD ELFA
    Community Answer
    You put more arguments than necessary. This command has enough arguments: su name . This command has too many or too little: su Jane Eric.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Depending on the program, you might wind up with an uninstall.sh script that you can use to uninstall it. To uninstall, make the uninstall script executable with chmod +x uninstall.sh , then run ./uninstall or sudo ./uninstall .
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • You can also change a file's permissions using your desktop environment's file manager. In Ubuntu , right-click the ".sh" file, choose Properties , and then click the Permissions tab. Check the box that says "Allow executing file as program," and then click Close .
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Once you make install.sh executable using chmod +x , you can also run the script from your desktop environment by double-clicking the file.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Install Google Chrome Using Terminal on Linux
      How to
      Mount Drives on Linux: Command Line & GUI
      Can Linux Run .exe Files? How to Run Windows Software on Linux
      How to
      Install and Use Wine on Linux
      How to
      Take a Screenshot in Linux
      How to
      Tar a Directory and Subdirectories in Linux
      How to
      Become Root in Linux
      Easy Debian Linux Installation Tutorial
      Linux: Set the Time Zone on Ubuntu, Debian, Red Hat, & More
      How to
      Execute .RUN Files in Linux
      How to
      Run Linux from a USB: Making a Bootable Stick and Installing
      How to
      Install Software on Linux: Packages, Compiling, & More
      How to
      Install Puppy Linux on a USB Drive or PC
      Install & Execute BIN files in Linux: Ubuntu, CentOS & More
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/command-line-for-beginners#3-opening-a-terminal
      2. ↑ https://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/run-execute-sh-shell-script/
      3. ↑ https://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/run-execute-sh-shell-script/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Download and extract the package.
      2. Open a terminal window.
      3. Go to the folder that contains the "install.sh" file.
      4. Use " chmod +x " to make "install.sh" executable.
      5. Type " bash install.sh " and press Enter.
      6. Enter the root password and follow the on-screen instructions.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 591,609 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement