How automatic updates work

[h4p3rd]

Hello,

I'm trying to understand how automatic updates work under Zorin.

For the native’s app and Flatpak, the configurations are well done in Gnome Software, and I add this line with sudo visudo: “%admin ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: /usr/bin/apt-get update, /usr/bin/apt-get upgrade, /usr/bin/apt-get dist-upgrade”

For this part, it's work as expected, it's update automatically:

But, for the security and system update, in Software&Update, I think that all are sets to allow
automatically download and install updates:

But I see that it doesn't work (Zorin reminds me that updates are to be done) and it’s visible in Software Updater.

On this forum, it is indicated that unattended-upgrades must be set up to allow the automatic updates, but on the Gnome Forum, it’s indicates that updates are done every 14 days.

Automatic Update Frequency is Fixed to "Every 14 days" (#2075) · Issues ·...

I tried to set up unattended-upgrades, but when I do the dry-run mode, it always tells me that no updates are possible while system security updates are still pending.

Setting up automatic updates?

I have an old ThinkCenter Tiny M73 I'm using as a HTPC, except it doesn't have a tpm chip so windows will be dropping it soon. I do not feel it appropriate to be using outdated and unsupported software, so I'm looking to switch it to Zorin OS as all I need is my preferred browser and PWA apps. Since this computer is used infrequently, is it possible to automate all updates so it stays up to date? Or at least minimize the number of times it requests manually updating without halting security upda…

Is it possible to make us an FAQ to explain what we must do / expect and without asking for a password please?

My goal: Auto update like Windows for newbie and have something like we can use in Linux Mint:

Thank you!

[zenzen]

Hi, and welcome to the forum!

This may require a bit of background to answer. In Linux, there are a few package formats available to install software. Zorin OS mainly uses the following ones:

1. Native packages. Zorin OS is based on Ubuntu, which in turn is based on Debian, which uses its own package format, aptly called Debian packages. These are files with a .deb extension, similar to .rpm for RedHat based distributions, or.msi for Windows.

2. Flatpak packages are another popular package format that has gained a lot of traction lately. It's compatible with any distribution.

3. Snap packages work similarly to Flatpak in many regards.

They all have their own pros & cons, but what is important to understand about them that they are downloaded from different sources. You can actually see this through the Software Store when you go to install something, though note that not all packages are available from all sources (it took me a while to find one that was):

Now, the package unattended-upgrades only checks for native packages. The Software Store, on the other hand, has plugins that check for all of them, which can lead to a situation where it's reporting updates available that don't appear elsewhere.

@h4p3rd

it always tells me that no updates are possible while in Software&Update, system security updates are pending.

Can you share what those updates are? Most likely, as mentioned, these are Flatpak packages.

[Ponce-De-Leon]

Welcome to the Forum!

So, You have set up Gnome Software for Automatic Updates and the Software Updater, too yes? Because you have to do it for both.

@h4p3rd

but I see that it doesn't work (Zorin reminds me that updates are to be done).

What does that exactly mean? What reminds You for Updates? The Software Updater? Gnome Software?

[h4p3rd]

Hi,
Thank you for the welcome and your questions.
I brought clarifications/additions to my initial post hoping that my need/problem will be better understood.
Thanks in advance!

[Ponce-De-Leon]

The Settings for Gnome Software are only affect Gnome Software. And the Settings in Software & Updates are only affect the Software Updater.

The Settings in Gnome Software are okay. You could theoretically active the ''Automatic Update Notifications'' to show You a Notification when an Update was made but when You don't need it, it is fine. That is up to You.

The Settings in Software & Updates looks so far good, too I think. On ''When there are other updates'' You could set it to a smaller Intervall, but okay. So, why it doesn't automatically install Updates like on Your Picture is shown? I would guess it is because there are Security Updates and Other Updates.