I've noticed that I can use the command "wget -[argument] -[target]" in Linux Mint without any issues, but when I try it in Debian 13, I get an error saying "bash: wget: command not found." I suspect the issue relates to repository differences. If that's the case, how can I find out which repository I should add to get the commands I'm used to? Just for context, I'm on an HP/Walmart laptop and have been experimenting a lot with different distributions over the past couple of years. I've managed to install wget, but I'm curious about the root cause of this difference.
5 Answers
I find it hard to believe that wget isn't in the standard Debian repository. On my Debian 13 setup, it came preinstalled. So, checking your sources and running `sudo apt install wget` should definitely sort you out!
Check by running `apt-file search bin/wget`. You should see wget listed there, meaning it is available to install. Then, use `sudo apt install wget` to get it onto your system.
Different distributions come with different default software. If something isn't installed by default, just running a quick `sudo apt install [package]` usually sorts it. It's all about keeping things lightweight; what one user loves, another may consider 'bloat.'
The 'command not found' message means that wget isn't installed on your Debian system by default. It's actually quite simple to fix—just run `sudo apt install wget` to install it yourself. Debian tends to keep a slimmer default install compared to Mint, which preinstalls tools like wget.
You could also consider using curl instead, which is what Debian has switched to by default.
You're right! Commands like wget are programs that have to be installed. The difference is simply that Linux Mint comes with wget preinstalled, while Debian does not. So, just use `sudo apt install wget` to get it, and you'll be good to go!
Got it! Should I just add Mint's repositories to get the packages I'm used to? I'm concerned that even basic commands like 'reboot' don’t work in Debian by default.