GNU/Linux Debian Sid Non-free Repository Add Step-by-step

October 18, 2019 | By the+gnu+linux+evangelist.

How to Add Non Free Repository on Debian Sid Unstable

Hi! The Tutorial shows you Step-by-Step How to Add Non Free Repository in Debian Sid Unstable GNU/Linux.

Especially relevant: this Guide Show How to Properly Add Debian Sid Non-free Repo to install just the Needed Software and then Preserving the Free Nature of System!

The Repos Features are:

  • Non-free includes Packages whose Licences are not free
  • Contrib the Dependencies of non-free Packages (which make them not part of Default Repos)
GNU/Linux Debian Sid Non-free Repository Add - Featured
  1. 1. Launching Terminal

    How to QuickStart with Command Line on Debian GNU/Linux

    Bash Shell Debian QuickStart Guide
  2. 2. Adding Non-free Repo

    Then to Add Non Free Repository in Debian Sid
    Simply run:

    sudo apt-add-repository non-free

    Again you may need enabled also the Contrib one, so play:

    sudo apt-add-repository contrib

    Last, Refresh the Apt Sources with:

    sudo apt update
  3. 3. Preserving Debian Free System

    (Optional) This if you want to Preserve the Valuable Free Nature of Debian System.
    To do so you have to strictly Allowing only the Installation of Some Non-free Package with an Apt Pinning.
    First, Disable All Non free Software with this content:

    Explanation: Disable packages from non-free tree by default
    Package: *
    Pin: release o=Debian,a=stable,l=Debian,c=non-free
    Pin-Priority: -1
    

    To Make it at once execute:

    sudo echo -e "Explanation: Disable packages from non-free tree by default
    Package: *
    Pin: release o=Debian,a=stable,l=Debian,c=non-free
    Pin-Priority: -1" > /etc/apt/preferences.d/non-free_policy

    And then Enable the Software of Choice, E.g. firmware-iwlwifi:

    Explanation: Enable package firmware-iwlwifi from non-free tree
    Package: firmware-iwlwifi
    Pin: release o=Debian,a=stable,l=Debian,c=non-free
    Pin-Priority: Unstable0
    

    Again with a simple echo:)

    sudo echo -e "Explanation: Enable package firmware-iwlwifi from non-free tree
    Package: firmware-iwlwifi
    Pin: release o=Debian,a=stable,l=Debian,c=non-free
    Pin-Priority: Unstable0" > /etc/apt/preferences.d/firmware-iwlwifi_non-free

    But to enable Multiple packages at once proceed like that:

    Explanation: Enable package firmware-iwlwifi nvidia-driver from non-free tree
    Package: firmware-iwlwifi nvidia-driver
    Pin: release o=Debian,a=stable,l=Debian,c=non-free
    Pin-Priority: Unstable0
    

    Again translated in a Command like:

    sudo echo -e "Explanation: Enable package firmware-iwlwifi nvidia-driver from non-free tree
    Package: firmware-iwlwifi nvidia-driver
    Pin: release o=Debian,a=stable,l=Debian,c=non-free
    Pin-Priority: Unstable0" > /etc/apt/preferences.d/enabled-packages_non-free

    The only drawback of the procedure is that you have to repeat it every time you need some new Non-free software…
    For further instructions see: Advanced Apt Pinning Techniques.


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