# A Complete Idiot's Guide To Endeavour OS Maintenance / Update / Upgrade **URL:** \ **Category:** Newbie\ **Created:** [March 19, 2022, 3:01pm UTC](https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/a-complete-idiots-guide-to-endeavour-os-maintenance-update-upgrade/25184 "2022-03-19T15:01:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![anon63071375](https://forum.endeavouros.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/f0a364/32.png) [@anon63071375](https://forum.endeavouros.com/u/anon63071375)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 3:01pm UTC](https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/a-complete-idiots-guide-to-endeavour-os-maintenance-update-upgrade/25184/1 "2022-03-19T15:01:54Z")
_ **I’m a complete idiot - so here’s my guide for you!** _ It has been asked a lot, and fairly frequently recently it seems, _especially_ by new Endeavour/new to Linux users. It was recently asked that I post how I update - so here it is. _“How do I maintain / update / upgrade my system?!? Help!!”_ This is _my_ maintenance plan. I have been using the same install for almost 2 years now without any major issue. I’m VERY aware there’s more than one way to do this. And most importantly - **Many of these can be done through the welcome center app** - They do very much the same thing, you just need to click on it. But since this is a _terminal centric distro with a target audience of intermediate users_ - we’re doing this in terminal. Completely new users who have found themselves here for whatever reason (and possibly overwhelmed) will find this even more beneficial. 1. The Golden Rule Rule # 1 to keeping a system up and running and **NOT** having problems - _DON’T BREAK YOUR OWN COMPUTER._ Most problems are user generated. * * * 1. (a) Keep updated - maintenance schedule - as frequently as you would like. From several times a day to at least once every other week (in my opinion) ```auto yay ``` That’s it. 1. (b) Sorting pacnew/pacsave files - when prompted by terminal - maintenance schedule - whenever you are notified by `yay` that you have a pacnew or pacsave file that needs tending to. This schedule varies upon frequency of receiving them - you will ALWAYS be notified during the update process if they are created. - The longer you wait to tend to them, the more difficult life can become for you. - There is a great tool in the EOS-welcome app for this that combines pacdiff and meld - I also use the program meld from terminal for this - _note for Arch users who may be reading this - you will need meld from the repos if you don’t already have it to complete this step_ ```auto DIFFPROG=meld pacdiff -s ``` - remove/overwrite/merge as necessary - for more information please see the arch wiki: - [https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Pacman/Pacnew\_and\_Pacsave](https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Pacman/Pacnew_and_Pacsave) * * * 1. (a) Update Mirrors - Arch - maintenance schedule - approximately once every 1-2 months - this will save the fastest 25 mirrors, will show you in terminal (verbose flag) and only call on those with https protocol - please append accordingly to your needs - this gets saved to /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist I usually copy and paste this from my current mirrorlist file as it will show up on top and then I don’t have to type it out every time. ```auto reflector --protocol https --verbose --latest 25 --sort rate --save /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist ``` **Always after updating your mirrorlist - refresh your entire system** ```auto yay -Syyu ``` 1. (b) Update Mirrors - Endeavour (optional) - maintenance schedule - 1-6months - there is not a huge amount of them, so it’s up to you if it’s worth it to do it more or less frequently. - this will be saved in /etc/pacman.d/endeavouros-mirrorlist ```auto eos-rankmirrors --verbose ``` **Always after updating your mirrorlist - refresh your entire system** ```auto yay -Syyu ``` * * * 1. Clean Journal - maintenance schedule - approximately once every 1-2 months - more info: [https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Systemd/Journal](https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Systemd/Journal) - this will keep 1 months (4 weeks) worth of journal entries you can still see in case you have errors ```auto journalctl --vacuum-time=4weeks ``` * * * 1. Clean Cache - maintenance schedule - approximately once every 1-2 months - this will clean your cache of all packages - they can be found in `/var/cache/pacman/pkg` - paccache keeps 3 versions by default - please see the Arch Wiki if you would like other options here: [https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Pacman#Cleaning\_the\_package\_cache](https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Pacman#Cleaning_the_package_cache) ```auto paccache -r ``` I also do not carry a cache of uninstalled packages - I assume I uninstalled them for a reason. If you would like to remove ALL uninstalled packages (as I do) ```auto paccache -ruk0 ``` * * * 1. Remove Orphans - maintenance schedule - approximately once every 1-2 months - ALWAYS look over your list - make absolutely sure you want to remove all packages shown. If you would like to keep any - make them explicity installed first before proceeding. - by issuing this command you understand the consequences, if you do not - read about orphans here: [https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Pacman/Tips\_and\_tricks#Removing\_unused\_packages\_(orphans)](https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Pacman/Tips_and_tricks#Removing_unused_packages_(orphans)) ```auto pacman -Rns $(pacman -Qdtq) ``` * * * 1. Clearing Old Configuration Files - maintenance schedule - whenever you feel like doing it 1 month - 12 months - there is nothing to run, you will need to manually do this step - see wiki for this step - [https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/System\_maintenance#Old\_configuration\_files](https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/System_maintenance#Old_configuration_files) * * * ## **8. DON’T BREAK YOUR OWN SYSTEM** - It’s so important I added it at the end again - _most_ people have problems due to their own doing. The easiest way to continue having a trouble free system is by not creating problems. ## **Warning - I’m not responsible for any and all problems that may come from following this guide. It’s your computer to do as you please, good or bad. You are sudo, you have the power and with that it’s your own responsibility to maintain your computer as you wish. If you do NOT understand what these do - do your own research first. Good luck.** This can be shared freely as anyone would see fit. For further information and where I got the overwhelming majority of this guide - please see: > **[System maintenance - ArchWiki](https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/System_maintenance)** 🍻 Cheers - to a long and trouble free installation. Keep on rollin’. _edited to include pacnew/pacsave and eos-rankmirrors as well as page breaks between each step for clarity_ _edited again - what started out as my personal guide for how I update my own Arch/Endeavour systems has been embraced by the team and community more than I originally had intended or anticipated. I have removed some bits to make the distinction that this is a guide for Endeavour specifically and to distinguish they are not the same, nor the same project._ \*\* # Moderation note: Please only reply here if you have a question about parts of the guide, **do not start a discussion** in that thread, and go create a new thread instead, linking to this one, in case you really need/want to discuss something in detail. [@joekamprad] ---
**Author:** ![Kresimir](https://forum.endeavouros.com/user_avatar/forum.endeavouros.com/kresimir/32/73739_2.png) [@Kresimir](https://forum.endeavouros.com/u/Kresimir)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 3:06pm UTC](https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/a-complete-idiots-guide-to-endeavour-os-maintenance-update-upgrade/25184/2 "2022-03-19T15:06:35Z")
All very sound advice, if not slightly overkill. I especially like the rule no. 1, one should always remember it. ---
**Author:** ![anon63071375](https://forum.endeavouros.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/f0a364/32.png) [@anon63071375](https://forum.endeavouros.com/u/anon63071375)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 3:09pm UTC](https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/a-complete-idiots-guide-to-endeavour-os-maintenance-update-upgrade/25184/3 "2022-03-19T15:09:29Z")
I like it. I sit down and do it whenever I feel appropriate which as noted is like every 4-8 week-ish. It makes me feel like a sudo master, but really it takes like 10 min and I’m done hahaha. But it comes up a lot, and I’ve had 2 people within a week ask me directly about it, so I figured it was over due. Now when people ask - it’s just copy/paste and /thread. ---
**Author:** ![keybreak](https://forum.endeavouros.com/user_avatar/forum.endeavouros.com/keybreak/32/9257_2.png) [@keybreak](https://forum.endeavouros.com/u/keybreak)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 3:10pm UTC](https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/a-complete-idiots-guide-to-endeavour-os-maintenance-update-upgrade/25184/4 "2022-03-19T15:10:52Z")
I’m sure **1.** implies this: > [@What are standard things you do after a fresh Linux install?](https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/what-are-standard-things-you-do-after-a-fresh-linux-install/9694/77): > > [image] 😂 ---
**Author:** ![Kresimir](https://forum.endeavouros.com/user_avatar/forum.endeavouros.com/kresimir/32/73739_2.png) [@Kresimir](https://forum.endeavouros.com/u/Kresimir)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 3:25pm UTC](https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/a-complete-idiots-guide-to-endeavour-os-maintenance-update-upgrade/25184/5 "2022-03-19T15:25:36Z")
Yeah, I’ll copy paste this thread, too, when the question arises. Easier than writing it myself. 👍🏼 ---
**Author:** ![smokey](https://forum.endeavouros.com/user_avatar/forum.endeavouros.com/smokey/32/133678_2.png) [@smokey](https://forum.endeavouros.com/u/smokey)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 8:35pm UTC](https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/a-complete-idiots-guide-to-endeavour-os-maintenance-update-upgrade/25184/6 "2022-03-19T20:35:50Z")
Great advise, written nice and clearly ---
**Author:** ![Zircon34](https://forum.endeavouros.com/user_avatar/forum.endeavouros.com/zircon34/32/135623_2.png) [@Zircon34](https://forum.endeavouros.com/u/Zircon34)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 9:03pm UTC](https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/a-complete-idiots-guide-to-endeavour-os-maintenance-update-upgrade/25184/7 "2022-03-19T21:03:01Z")
> [@anon63071375](#): > > Sorting pacnew/pacsave files - when prompted by terminal I don’t even know what that means, I have never done or bothered using that. Now I feel like a complete idiot 🤣 Edit: perhaps add a bullet point why each maintenance step should be necessary to be idiot proof. To be honest the only thing I do is `sudo pacman -Syu` once a week. ---
**Author:** ![anon50380917](https://forum.endeavouros.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/b9bd4f/32.png) [@anon50380917](https://forum.endeavouros.com/u/anon50380917)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 9:04pm UTC](https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/a-complete-idiots-guide-to-endeavour-os-maintenance-update-upgrade/25184/8 "2022-03-19T21:04:00Z")
Why not pin it right at the beginning of the forum, clearly visible to newcomers? ---
**Author:** ![anon63071375](https://forum.endeavouros.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/f0a364/32.png) [@anon63071375](https://forum.endeavouros.com/u/anon63071375)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 9:05pm UTC](https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/a-complete-idiots-guide-to-endeavour-os-maintenance-update-upgrade/25184/9 "2022-03-19T21:05:51Z")
No one - especially new users - read pinned threads hahahaha. But I’m all for it. I can make it a wiki post also I think. > [@Zircon34](#): > > Edit: perhaps add a bullet point why that should be necessary to be idiot proof I added the link to read up on it. It doesn’t hurt to peruse the Arch wiki on occasion. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Zircon34](https://forum.endeavouros.com/user_avatar/forum.endeavouros.com/zircon34/32/135623_2.png) [@Zircon34](https://forum.endeavouros.com/u/Zircon34)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 9:09pm UTC](https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/a-complete-idiots-guide-to-endeavour-os-maintenance-update-upgrade/25184/10 "2022-03-19T21:09:04Z")
> [@anon63071375](#): > > It doesn’t hurt to peruse the Arch wiki on occasion. For sure but you said idiot proof 😏 I read the Arch wiki sometimes btw. ---
**Author:** ![anon63071375](https://forum.endeavouros.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/f0a364/32.png) [@anon63071375](https://forum.endeavouros.com/u/anon63071375)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 9:11pm UTC](https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/a-complete-idiots-guide-to-endeavour-os-maintenance-update-upgrade/25184/11 "2022-03-19T21:11:08Z")
I never said such a thing. I said _I’m an idiot_ and this is my guide for updating. Calling anything idiot proof is just a challenge to the many out there. “Just look at how stupid the average person is. And then realize, the other half are even stupider than that.” -George Carlin ---
**Author:** ![Zircon34](https://forum.endeavouros.com/user_avatar/forum.endeavouros.com/zircon34/32/135623_2.png) [@Zircon34](https://forum.endeavouros.com/u/Zircon34)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 9:15pm UTC](https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/a-complete-idiots-guide-to-endeavour-os-maintenance-update-upgrade/25184/12 "2022-03-19T21:15:43Z")
Just checked the arch wiki. I never bothered with pacsave files before. Will have to pay attention. ---
**Author:** ![ricklinux](https://forum.endeavouros.com/user_avatar/forum.endeavouros.com/ricklinux/32/110798_2.png) [@ricklinux](https://forum.endeavouros.com/u/ricklinux)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 10:03pm UTC](https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/a-complete-idiots-guide-to-endeavour-os-maintenance-update-upgrade/25184/14 "2022-03-19T22:03:47Z")
I’m an idiot…Ive never done any of that! Computers still running. 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![anon63071375](https://forum.endeavouros.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/f0a364/32.png) [@anon63071375](https://forum.endeavouros.com/u/anon63071375)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 10:10pm UTC](https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/a-complete-idiots-guide-to-endeavour-os-maintenance-update-upgrade/25184/15 "2022-03-19T22:10:04Z")
These are for maintenance and updates. You’re the install man, these don’t necessarily apply to you haha. ---
**Author:** ![ricklinux](https://forum.endeavouros.com/user_avatar/forum.endeavouros.com/ricklinux/32/110798_2.png) [@ricklinux](https://forum.endeavouros.com/u/ricklinux)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 10:26pm UTC](https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/a-complete-idiots-guide-to-endeavour-os-maintenance-update-upgrade/25184/16 "2022-03-19T22:26:28Z")
I just keep installing stuff. …again & again & again! 🤔 😩 ---
**Author:** ![massi](https://forum.endeavouros.com/user_avatar/forum.endeavouros.com/massi/32/71820_2.png) [@massi](https://forum.endeavouros.com/u/massi)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2022, 6:35am UTC](https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/a-complete-idiots-guide-to-endeavour-os-maintenance-update-upgrade/25184/17 "2022-03-20T06:35:39Z")
Thanks a lot @anon63071375 ---
**Author:** ![haakoth](https://forum.endeavouros.com/user_avatar/forum.endeavouros.com/haakoth/32/121950_2.png) [@haakoth](https://forum.endeavouros.com/u/haakoth)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2022, 7:55am UTC](https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/a-complete-idiots-guide-to-endeavour-os-maintenance-update-upgrade/25184/18 "2022-03-20T07:55:37Z")
Nice post, while I may not follow it to the letter, very sound advice. Made me stop and check my plan as a noob to EndeavourOS and Garuda. ---
**Author:** ![tlacatl](https://forum.endeavouros.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@tlacatl](https://forum.endeavouros.com/u/tlacatl)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2022, 11:11am UTC](https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/a-complete-idiots-guide-to-endeavour-os-maintenance-update-upgrade/25184/19 "2022-03-20T11:11:55Z")
hello haakoth welcome :penguin_face: ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Endeavour](https://forum.endeavouros.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/9d8465/32.png) [@HMS\_Endeavour](https://forum.endeavouros.com/u/HMS_Endeavour)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2022, 11:20am UTC](https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/a-complete-idiots-guide-to-endeavour-os-maintenance-update-upgrade/25184/20 "2022-03-20T11:20:49Z")
One of the many reasons I was drawn to EOS was “A terminal-centric distro…” Your cheatsheet forces me to master the terminal. Thanks for all the trial and error, and research that went into this guide. I will have to learn about PACDIFF first cause it looks very serious. Michael ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Endeavour](https://forum.endeavouros.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/9d8465/32.png) [@HMS\_Endeavour](https://forum.endeavouros.com/u/HMS_Endeavour)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2022, 11:26am UTC](https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/a-complete-idiots-guide-to-endeavour-os-maintenance-update-upgrade/25184/21 "2022-03-20T11:26:32Z")
Hi @haakoth Welcome [Next page](https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/a-complete-idiots-guide-to-endeavour-os-maintenance-update-upgrade/25184.md?page=2)