How to Open Package Files

By Alexis Lawrence

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Package files, which actually use the the long extension “.PACKAGE,” are files created in the Linux-based Autopackage program, a program used by developers to make installation packages for Linux programs. The archive type files contain all of the necessary components to correctly install a Linux program onto a computer system. The only program that can read the PACKAGE file type is Autopackage itself, but Autopackage is a free system that can be downloaded by anyone using a Linux system.

Step 1

Download and install Autopackage on your computer. The free Autopackage tools program can be downloaded from the Autopackage website. To install, click on the setup icon and follow the on-screen installation walk-through.

Step 2

Browse for the computer where the Package files are stored on the computer’s hard drive. Right-click on the name of the Package file. Choose “Properties” from the pop-up menu that appears to bring up the Package “Properties” dialog box.

Step 3

Click on the “Permissions” tab. Check the top box in the window that says “Execute” or “Exec” and click either “OK” or “Close” to close the dialog box and make the change take effect.

Step 4

Open the Package file. To open the file, either double-click the file icon or right-click the icon and select “Open” from the menu.

Step 5

Choose to either “Display” or “Run” the file in the “Run or Display” option box that comes up. If you choose “Display,” you will be shown the contents of the file, but the setup will not be launched. If you choose run, it will launch the setup process for the Package file, leading you through the process of installing the program on the computer.

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