Install Ubuntu Restricted Extras & Microsoft Fonts

Aug 16, 2025 by Fonts Packs 51 views

Installing Ubuntu Restricted Extras and Microsoft Fonts: A Comprehensive Guide

Let's walk through setting up your Ubuntu system with some essential extras and those classic Microsoft fonts. This guide will cover installing the ubuntu-restricted-extras package and the ttf-mscorefonts-installer. These additions ensure you can play various media formats and view documents correctly. So, grab your terminal and let’s get started!

Understanding Ubuntu Restricted Extras

Ubuntu Restricted Extras is a package that includes several proprietary media codecs, Flash plugin, and other software that isn't included in the default Ubuntu installation due to licensing or legal reasons. These extras are crucial for playing many common media formats and ensuring compatibility with various websites and documents. Without them, you might find yourself unable to open certain video or audio files, or view some web content properly.

What's Included in the Package?

The ubuntu-restricted-extras package typically includes:

Media Codecs: These are essential for playing popular video and audio formats such as MP3, AVI, MPEG4, and more. Codecs like gstreamer plugins enable your system to decode and play these formats seamlessly.
Flash Plugin: While Flash is becoming less common, some websites still rely on it. Installing this plugin ensures you can view Flash content without issues.
Additional Fonts: Some common fonts are included to improve document compatibility.
libavcodec-extra: Includes a comprehensive collection of multimedia codecs, offering broader compatibility for various audio and video formats.

Why Install Ubuntu Restricted Extras?

Installing ubuntu-restricted-extras enhances your multimedia experience on Ubuntu. It enables you to play almost any media file you encounter, whether it's a video you downloaded, a song you ripped from a CD, or streaming content online. It also ensures that you can properly view web content that relies on Flash. By including the libavcodec-extra package, the ubuntu-restricted-extras package eliminates the need to search for and install individual codecs, providing a convenient way to ensure your system is ready to handle a wide range of media formats. Plus, it saves you the headache of encountering error messages when trying to open certain files.

Installing Ubuntu Restricted Extras

To install Ubuntu Restricted Extras, open your terminal. You can usually find the terminal by searching for it in the Ubuntu dash or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T. Once the terminal is open, follow these steps:

Update Your Package List: Before installing any new package, it's a good idea to update your package list. This ensures you're getting the latest version of the software and its dependencies. Type the following command and press Enter:
```
sudo apt update
```
You'll be prompted for your password. Enter it and press Enter. The sudo command gives you administrative privileges, allowing you to install software.
Install Ubuntu Restricted Extras: Now that your package list is updated, you can install the ubuntu-restricted-extras package. Type the following command and press Enter:
```
sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras
```
The system will ask you to confirm whether you want to install the package and its dependencies. Type Y and press Enter to proceed. The installation process will begin, and it may take a few minutes depending on your internet connection speed.
Accept the License Agreement: During the installation, you may be prompted to accept a license agreement for some of the included software. Use the arrow keys to navigate to the "Yes" option and press Enter to accept the agreement.
Verify the Installation: Once the installation is complete, you can verify that the packages have been installed correctly. You can try playing various media files to see if they work. If you had trouble playing certain files before, they should now play without any issues.

Installing Microsoft Fonts

Microsoft Fonts, also known as the ttf-mscorefonts-installer, includes a collection of fonts that are commonly used in Microsoft Office applications. These fonts aren't included in Ubuntu by default, but installing them can greatly improve the appearance of documents created in Microsoft Word and other Office programs.

Why Install Microsoft Fonts?

Installing Microsoft Fonts ensures that documents created in Microsoft Office applications look as intended on your Ubuntu system. Without these fonts, your system will substitute them with similar fonts, which can sometimes alter the layout and appearance of the document. This is particularly important if you frequently work with documents shared by Windows users or if you need to ensure that your documents look consistent across different platforms. The common fonts, such as Arial, Times New Roman, and Courier New, are essential for maintaining the original formatting and readability of many documents.

Installing ttf-mscorefonts-installer

To install Microsoft Fonts, you'll use the ttf-mscorefonts-installer package. This package downloads and installs the fonts from a third-party source. Here's how to do it:

Open the Terminal: As before, open the terminal by searching for it in the Ubuntu dash or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T.
Update Your Package List: It's always a good practice to update your package list before installing any new software. Type the following command and press Enter:
```
sudo apt update
```
Enter your password if prompted.
Install ttf-mscorefonts-installer: Type the following command and press Enter to install the ttf-mscorefonts-installer package:
```
sudo apt install ttf-mscorefonts-installer
```
Confirm the installation by typing Y and pressing Enter.
Accept the EULA: During the installation, you will be prompted to accept the End User License Agreement (EULA) for the Microsoft fonts. A dialog box will appear in the terminal. Use the Tab key to highlight the "" option and press Enter to accept the EULA. You may need to do this twice for different sets of fonts.
Verify the Installation: After the installation is complete, the fonts will be available for use in your applications. You can verify that the fonts have been installed correctly by opening a word processor such as LibreOffice Writer and checking if the Microsoft fonts (e.g., Arial, Times New Roman) are listed in the font selection menu. If you see the fonts, then the installation was successful.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Problems During Installation

Sometimes, you might encounter issues during the installation process. Here are a few common problems and how to solve them:

Package Installation Errors: If you encounter errors during the installation, it could be due to broken dependencies or other package-related issues. Try running the following command to fix broken packages and then try the installation again:
```
sudo apt --fix-broken install
```
Internet Connection Problems: The ttf-mscorefonts-installer package downloads the fonts from a third-party source, so you need a stable internet connection. If the download fails, check your internet connection and try the installation again.
EULA Acceptance Issues: Make sure you accept the EULA when prompted. If you miss the prompt or encounter issues with the dialog box, you can try reconfiguring the package by running:
```
sudo dpkg-reconfigure ttf-mscorefonts-installer
```
This will re-prompt you to accept the EULA.

Fonts Not Appearing

If the fonts don't appear in your applications after installation, try the following:

Update Font Cache: Sometimes, applications don't immediately recognize newly installed fonts. You can update the font cache by running:
```
sudo fc-cache -f -v
```
This command rebuilds the font cache, making the new fonts available to your applications.
Restart Applications: Sometimes, applications need to be restarted to recognize new fonts. Close and reopen the application you're using to see if the fonts now appear in the font selection menu.

Conclusion

Installing Ubuntu Restricted Extras and Microsoft Fonts enhances your Ubuntu experience by ensuring compatibility with various media formats and documents. Following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily set up your system to handle almost any file you encounter. If you run into any issues, the troubleshooting tips should help you resolve them quickly. Enjoy your enhanced Ubuntu system!