How to Run Files in Linux

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

This wikiHow teaches you how to run files in Linux. You can run most files using a file manager program. Most Linux distributions have a default File Manager that comes pre-installed. You can also use the Terminal to run a file in Linux. This is the preferred method for running ".run", ".sh", and ".bin" files.

Executing Files in Linux

Using a file manager, open the folder, right-click the file, press “Open With,” and select the application. Using the Terminal, press Ctrl+Alt+T. Type “cd” and the folder name. Then, type “sudo chmod +x” followed by the file name with no spaces. Type “sudo ./” followed directly by the file name.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using a File Manager

PDF download Download Article
  1. Most Linux distributions come with a default file manager program. This may be Nautilus, Thunar, Dolphin, Krusader, Konqueror, or PCManFM. Most of these programs work very similarly. To open your file manager, click the icon that resembles a file cabinet, or a folder that says "Home" on your desktop, dock, or Activities menu. [1]
    • If you are not sure where to locate your file browser app, you can press the Super (Windows) key and type "Files" (or the name of the file manager) in the search bar.
    • If you don't like the file manager that came with your Linux distribution, you can install a different file manager in the Terminal. To do so on Debian / Ubuntu , open the Terminal and type sudo apt install <app name> and press Enter . On Fedora , open the Terminal and type sudo dnf install <app name> and press Enter . Replace "<app name>" with the name of the app you want to install. [2]
  2. Most file managers have a large panel that allows you to browse folders. Double-click a folder to open it. Navigate to the folder with the file you want to run.
    Advertisement
  3. This displays a drop-down menu.
    • Alternatively, you can double-click the file to run it using the default application that the file type is associated with.
  4. This displays a list of applications you can use to run the file.
  5. This runs the file in the application you choose.
    • If you don't see the application you use to run the file, click View All Applications or Other . This displays a list of all installed apps categorized by type. Click the category of the app you want to run the file in. Then double-click the app you want to run the file in.
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using the Terminal

PDF download Download Article
  1. Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open the Terminal . You can open the Terminal by clicking the icon that resembles a black screen with a white text cursor in your Apps menu, or by press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard. [3]
  2. To change the directory in the Terminal, type cd followed by the path of the directory and press Enter .
    • For example, if the file is in your documents folder, you would type cd /Documents .
  3. Replace "<filename>" with the actual name of the file (it cannot contain any spaces). This command sets the user permissions so that you can run and edit the file.
    • If asked to do so, enter the password you use to log into your Linux computer and press Enter .
  4. The command you use to open the file is going to be a different depending on the file type. Enter one of the following commands and press Enter to run the file. Replace "<filename>" with the actual filename for the file (i.g. "textfile.txt"). The filename cannot have any spaces. The following are some commands you can use to run a file in the Terminal:
    • Run a file: sudo ./<filename> . This includes ".sh", ".run", and ".bin" files.
    • Open a file in it's default application: xdg-open <filename>
    • Display an image file: display <filename> . You must have ImageMagick installed. [4]
    • Display a text file in the Terminal: cat <filename> .
    • Display a text file one page at a time: less <filename>
    • Display a text file with numbered lines: nl <filename> [5]
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      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!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Check Browsing History on a WiFi Router
      How to
      Remove Write Protection from a USB Pen Drive
      3 Easy Ways to Find the Publication Date of a Website
      How to
      Connect PC to TV with HDMI
      How to
      Add the Google Play Store to an Amazon Fire Tablet
      Easy Ways to Read Crash Dump Files & Troubleshoot Crashes
      How to
      Bypass Your Screen Time Passcode: Reset, Remove, or Hack Screen Time
      6 Ways to Pair Your JBL Earbuds: Guide & Troubleshooting Tips
      How to
      Turn on Backlit Keyboard on Lenovo
      10 Genius Ways to Cheat a Step Counter on a Phone (No Walking Required)
      How to
      Format a Write–Protected Pen Drive
      How to
      Create Desktop Shortcuts for Files & Websites
      How to
      Guess a Password
      How to
      Restart Your Computer Using the Keyboard
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://opensource.com/business/15/4/eight-linux-file-managers
      2. ↑ https://computingforgeeks.com/best-linux-file-managers-you-can-use/
      3. ↑ https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/command-line-for-beginners#3-opening-a-terminal
      4. ↑ https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001720.htm
      5. ↑ https://www.javatpoint.com/open-file-in-linux

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open the Terminal.
      2. Type "cd" followed by the path of the file and press Enter .
      3. Type "sudo chmod +x " to change allow yourself permission to edit the file.
      4. Type "./" to run the file.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 191,154 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement