How To Exclude Packages from Apt-Get Upgrade

Sometimes we upgrades packages accidentally which is not to update. It also happens during the full update or automatic packages upgrade process. This creates serious issues on the server. For example, You need to exclude kernel, PHP, MySQL and Apache packages from getting updated while updating system via apt update. This tutorial will help you find the answer of how to exclude packages from apt-get update? How to use exclude package in Ubuntu? How to prevent packages from auto update using apt?

• How to Exclude Specific Packages from Yum Update

Hold or Exclude Package

Use the following command to exclude or hold specific Debian package from update. This will turn off the updates of specified packages from automatic upgrade or manual upgrades.

Using apt

$ sudo apt-mark hold package_name

Using dpkg

$ echo "package_name hold" | sudo dpkg --set-selections

Using aptitude

$ sudo aptitude hold package_name

Change the package_name with your actual package name to be set on hold.

List Packages on Hold

You can check the packages on hold anytime. Use following command to view all packages already set to hold.

$ dpkg --get-selections

Unhold or Include Package in Install

In future, If you need to upgrade any package set on hold. You need to unhold any package before upgrade. Use one of following command to unhold any package.

Using apt

$ sudo apt-mark unhold package_name

Using dpkg

$ echo "package_name install" | sudo dpkg --set-selections

Using aptitude

$ sudo aptitude hold package_name