How to Install Ubuntu Restricted Extras

Ubuntu Restricted Extras is a software bundle for the Ubuntu operating system that allows users to install software that isn’t currently included for ethical or copyright reasons, such as regularly used media codecs and fonts.

The Ubuntu Restricted Extras is a metapackage that has the following dependencies:

  • flashplugin-installer
  • gstreamer0.10-ffmpeg
  • gstreamer0.10-fluendo-mp3
  • gstreamer0.10-pitfdll
  • gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad
  • gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly
  • gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad-multiverse
  • gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly-multiverse
  • icedtea6-plugin
  • libavcodec-extra-52
  • libmp4v2-0
  • ttf-mscorefonts-installer
  • unrar

Important: Before you proceed to install Ubuntu-restricted extras on your system, take note of the following:

  • All software provided by the Ubuntu restricted extras meta-package is not free, which implies that the licensing requirements of such software do not meet the Ubuntu main component license policy.
  • Also, ensure that you verify your rights to use any of the non-free software and adhere to the licensing terms of the copyright holder.
  • Additionally, non-free software is usually not supported and can’t be fixed or updated, therefore, use it at your own risk.

Enable Multiverse Repository in Ubuntu

To install the restricted extras on Ubuntu, you need to enable the Multiverse Repository (which provides non-open-source software to users) on your Ubuntu system.

Run the following command to enable the multiverse repository: if you are prompted for a password, enter a valid one to proceed:

$ sudo add-apt-repository multiverse
Install Multiverse Repository in Ubuntu
Install Multiverse Repository in Ubuntu

If you prefer GUI, you can enable Multiverse Repository by clicking on Activities, then search for Software & Updates and open it.

The first or default tab, “Ubuntu Software” displays a list of repositories, or “channels“. Look for the option Multiverse (software restricted by copyright or legal issues) in the list and check it as highlighted in the next screenshot.

Install Multiverse Repository from Software and Updates
Install Multiverse Repository from Software and Updates

The system will prompt you to enter your user password to continue. Enter a valid password and click “Authenticate” to proceed.

Next, the system might also prompt you to choose a download server. Select a server in your location or nearby. Alternatively, you can click “Select Best Server” so that the system performs a few tests to select the best server. Then, to proceed, click “Choose Server” and input your password.

Choose a Download Server
Choose a Download Server

Once you try to close the Software & Updates application, the system will prompt you to refresh the package cache (similar to running the “sudo apt update” or “sudo apt-get update” command).

This step will add information about packages in the just-enabled repository to the local package index. Click Reload to proceed.

Refresh Ubuntu Package Cache
Refresh Ubuntu Package Cache

Install Ubuntu Restricted Extras Package

Before you proceed to install the ubuntu-restricted-extras package, you can view information about it, such as version, priority, description, and more, by running the following apt command:

$ sudo apt info ubuntu-restricted-extras
Ubuntu Restricted Extras Package Info
Ubuntu Restricted Extras Package Info

Then install ubuntu-restricted-extras package as shown:

$ sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras
Install Ubuntu Restricted Extras Package
Install Ubuntu Restricted Extras Package

During the installation process, you will be prompted to agree to certain package licenses before they can be installed on your system. The first is the Microsoft end-user license agreement (EULA). Click OK to agree and continue.

Accept EULA Agreement
Accept EULA Agreement

Next, you also have to accept the TrueType core fonts package’s Web EULA before the package can be installed. Select “Yes” to agree and proceed.

Accept TrueType Core Fonts
Accept TrueType Core Fonts

Verify Ubuntu Restricted Extras Installation

To ensure that the Ubuntu Restricted Extras have been successfully installed on your system, look for the unrar command and run it without any options or arguments, for example:

$ which unrar
$ unrar
Confirm Ubuntu Restricted Extras
Confirm Ubuntu Restricted Extras

Remove Ubuntu Restricted Extras

To remove the Ubuntu Restricted Extras meta-package, run the following command:

$ sudo apt autoremove --purge ubuntu-restricted-extras

That’s all. In this guide, we have shown how to install Ubuntu Restricted Extras. Use the comments section to ask any questions or share your thoughts about this guide.

Hey TecMint readers,

Exciting news! Every month, our top blog commenters will have the chance to win fantastic rewards, like free Linux eBooks such as RHCE, RHCSA, LFCS, Learn Linux, and Awk, each worth $20!

Learn more about the contest and stand a chance to win by sharing your thoughts below!

Aaron Kili
Aaron Kili is a Linux and F.O.S.S enthusiast, an upcoming Linux SysAdmin, web developer, and currently a content creator for TecMint who loves working with computers and strongly believes in sharing knowledge.

Each tutorial at TecMint is created by a team of experienced Linux system administrators so that it meets our high-quality standards.

Join the TecMint Weekly Newsletter (More Than 156,129 Linux Enthusiasts Have Subscribed)
Was this article helpful? Please add a comment or buy me a coffee to show your appreciation.

3 Comments

Leave a Reply
  1. Can you please edit the instructions – when you need to ‘click’ ‘ok’ in:

    “During the installation process, you will be prompted to agree to certain package licenses before they can be installed on your system. The first is the Microsoft end-user license agreement (EULA). Click OK to agree and continue.”

    Use the tab to navigate to the ‘ok’.

    my friends & I needed too many minutes to figure it out :D

    Reply
  2. Thanks for this useful information Aaron.

    Does one need a public authentication key to download the SSH after downloading the Ubuntu server – client package? If not, does the download for this Ubuntu OS & SSH server consist of 1 software package ?

    Reply
    • @Nelson,

      No authentication is needed to download SSH, just issue the following command to install SSH on a fresh Ubuntu install.

      $ sudo apt install openssh-server openssh-client
      
      Reply

Got Something to Say? Join the Discussion...

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. We appreciate your decision to leave a comment and value your contribution to the discussion. It's important to note that we moderate all comments in accordance with our comment policy to ensure a respectful and constructive conversation.

Rest assured that your email address will remain private and will not be published or shared with anyone. We prioritize the privacy and security of our users.