How to Hide Ubuntu Pro Updates in Ubuntu (24.04)

If you are using Ubuntu 24.04, you may have noticed the frequent appearance of Ubuntu Pro updates. While these updates are beneficial for enterprise users, they may not be necessary for everyone, especially home users who prefer to focus on regular updates. Fortunately, you can hide these updates and streamline your update process. In this guide, we will show you how to hide Ubuntu Pro updates in a few easy steps.

Why Hide Ubuntu Pro Updates?

Ubuntu Pro updates are designed to provide improved security, extended support, and compliance features for enterprise environments. However, for personal or general users, these updates can clutter the update manager and create unnecessary confusion. They can be hidden:

• Improve clarity in your updates list.
• Avoid confusion about updates you don’t need.
• Streamline your system maintenance.

Guide to hiding Ubuntu Pro updates

1. Understand your update settings

Before making any changes, it's important to understand how updates are handled in Ubuntu. Ubuntu Pro updates are included in the advanced package list, and they are often enabled by default for users who have opted for a Pro subscription.

2. Check Ubuntu Pro Activation

To determine if Ubuntu Pro is activated on your system, open your terminal and run:

pro status

If it is activated, you will see details about the enabled services. If you have not activated Ubuntu Pro but still see updates, they are probably pre-configured in your update sources.

3. Modify the APT source list.

APT (Advanced Package Tool) manages your update sources. To hide Ubuntu Pro updates, you need to disable their source in the APT configuration:

1.Open your terminal.

2.Access the source list with:

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list

3. Look for any entries related to Ubuntu Pro, such as:

deb https://pro.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal main restricted universe multiverse

4. Comment out these lines by adding a # at the beginning:

# deb https://pro.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal main restricted universe multiverse

Press CTRL+O, Enter, and CTRL+X to save and exit.

5. Press CTRL+O, Enter, and CTRL+X to save and exit.

4. Disable Ubuntu Pro updates via terminal.

Alternatively, you can disable Ubuntu Pro updates directly via the terminal:

1. List all available updates:

apt list --upgradeable

2. Identify Ubuntu Pro-specific updates and hold them:

sudo apt-mark hold <package-name>

Replace <package-name> with the name of the Ubuntu Pro package you want to block.

3. To confirm the hold, run:

apt-mark showhold

5. Use the update manager settings.

Ubuntu's update manager allows you to manage update preferences. Here's how to change its settings:

1. Open Software & Updates from the Applications menu.
2. Navigate to the Updates tab.
3. Uncheck the options related to Extended support updates or similar entries.
4. Close and refresh the update list.

6. Verify the changes.

After adjusting, verify that Ubuntu Pro updates are no longer listed:

1. Refresh package list:

sudo apt update

2. Check for upgradeable packages:

apt list --upgradeable

If you no longer see Ubuntu Pro updates, your changes were successful.

7. Automate the process with a script

For advanced users, automating the process can save time. Here is a simple script to hide Ubuntu Pro updates:
#!/bin/bash

# Script to hide Ubuntu Pro updates

sudo sed -i '/pro.archive.ubuntu.com/ s/^/#/' /etc/apt/sources.list

sudo apt update

Save this script as hide_pro_updates.sh, make it executable with chmod +x hide_pro_updates.sh, and run it whenever needed.

Things to keep in mind

• System stability: Make sure you don't inadvertently disable critical updates by carefully reviewing package names.
• Enterprise requirements: If you use Ubuntu Pro for business purposes, consult your IT administrator before disabling updates.
• Re-enabling updates: If necessary, you can re-enable updates by removing the # from the source list or by unholding the packages using:

sudo apt-mark unhold <package-name>

Conclusion

Hiding Ubuntu Pro updates in Ubuntu 24.04 is a straightforward process that helps declutter your update list and focus on the updates you need. By changing the APT source list or adjusting the update manager settings, you can customize your system to meet your needs. Whether you are a casual user or a developer, these steps ensure a hassle-free update experience.

FAQ's

How do I turn off auto update in Ubuntu 24?

There are several options for disabling automatic updates on Ubuntu 24.04. For instance, you can completely remove the unattended-upgrades package, modify the 20auto-upgrades file to disable automatic updates, use the command line to stop the update service, or adjust settings through the graphical user interface.

How do I remove Ubuntu Pro ads?

1. Open the configuration file for ubuntu-advantage-tools : sudo nano /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/20apt-esm-hook.conf.
2. Inside the file, find the enabled setting and change it from true to false 
3. Save and exit the file ( Ctrl + X , then Y and Enter ).

Why do I need to enable Ubuntu Pro?

When you enable Ubuntu Pro, you get additional updates for the ``universe'' repository, in addition to the ESM which gives you 10 years of security updates (instead of the 5 that was previously guaranteed). You will also get Canonical Livepatch if you're running an LTS release.

How do I permanently turn off automatic updates?

Navigate to “Computer Configuration” > “Administrative Templates” > “Windows Components” > “Windows Update.” Double-click on “Configure Automatic Updates” to open the settings. Select the “Disabled” option to turn off automatic updates. Click on “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.

Why Ubuntu has no virus?

If you are an unaware user who does dangerous non-advised actions like login as root. However most GNU/Linux distros like Ubuntu, come with built-in security by default and you may not get affected by malware if you keep your system up to date and don't do any manual insecure actions.

More Links:

how to install mySql server on Ubuntu (22.04)

How to Fetch Laravel Pulse Data Using a JSON API for Smooth Integration

Bitcoin reaches a record high of $106,000—what's behind the rise?