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I am a new Linux user, so today I decided on trying Ubuntu as my first Linux distribution. After updating and upgrading, I decided to start installing my usual applications, such as VLC, Skype and Zoom, but with the last one I got a problem.

I tried to install Zoom from the original website

I have selected:

  • Linux Type: Ubuntu
  • OS Architecture: 64 bit (matches my CPU)
  • Version: 16.04+; 12.04 (I put both of them, because I have tried both).

I tried to install them with the Ubuntu Software Install, and neither of them could be installed. The error:

Failed to install file: not supported

I do not know if the names of the versions are versions of Zoom, or past versions of Ubuntu OS.

Thanks for reading, I would appreciate any help.

Have a great day.

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  • What is the name of the file that you downloaded? Is it a .deb file? Edit the question to include this information. Sep 15, 2020 at 14:48
  • Yes, it is a .deb file
    – raulvl
    Sep 15, 2020 at 14:49
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    Delete the 12.04 version -- it won't help you. Open a terminal. Try sudo apt install ~/Downloads/zoom_amd64.deb. You might need to match the name carefully since you downloaded more than once. If it fails, add the complete output to your question above.
    – user535733
    Sep 15, 2020 at 15:03
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    @user535733 It works, thank you so much, have a nice day.
    – raulvl
    Sep 15, 2020 at 15:10
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    @user535733 This should be an answer rather than a comment. It's simpler than the accepted answer, although snap does have the benefit of automatic updates.
    – ec2011
    Jan 11, 2021 at 1:19

2 Answers 2

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Try to install the GDebi tool and install the .deb file with it. It's the "original" GUI tool to install .deb files. For me, Ubuntu Software almost always failed to install offline .deb files.

Edit: I just noted that Ubuntu Software does not find GDebi by name. So you have to install it via terminal: apt-get install gdebi

The general description of it from apt show gdebi is:

Description: simple tool to view and install deb files - GNOME GUI gdebi lets you install local deb packages resolving and installing its dependencies. apt does the same, but only for remote (http, ftp) located packages.
The package is also scanned via lintian before the install and its possible to inspect the control and data members of the packages.
This package contains the graphical user interface.

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    Remember to add sudo in front of command. GDebi does seem to install some software better than other tools. Just adding this since OP is new user.
    – crip659
    Sep 15, 2020 at 15:10
  • In my case gdebi unpacked zoom (5.6.13632.0328) over (5.2.446620.0816) and threw a warning /usr/bin/gdebi:113: FutureWarning: Possible nested set at position 1 c = findall("[[(](\S+)/\S+[])]", msg)[0].lower() and an error Error in file "/usr/share/applications/org.kde.kdeconnect_open.desktop": "/" is an invalid MIME type ("*" is an unregistered media type). The installation proceeded nonetheless and I could launch the new version of Zoom. I haven't had any meeting to join yet for a smoke test, though. Apr 2, 2021 at 10:12
  • In my view, this should be the accepted answer. Once gedit is installed, you may have to right click on the .deb file and do "Open with Other application" and then select "Gdebi" in the list
    – ec2011
    Jun 13, 2021 at 11:58
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You can also install Zoom via snap. That will give you the added benefit of easy updating.

Either install in the terminal with

sudo snap install zoom-client

or get the GUI based snap-store with

sudo snap install snap-store

Then you will be able to update with

sudo snap refresh

or through the GUI store.

If you choose to install from the .deb file provided by Zoom directly then you will have to repeat the process for every update.

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