Wget is a powerful command-line utility for downloading files from the internet. It supports HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP protocols, making it an essential tool for system administrators and developers. This guide will walk you through the installation process and demonstrate how to use Wget effectively on Linux.
Installing Wget on Linux
Check if Wget is Installed
Before installing Wget, check if it is already installed on your system by running:
wget --version
If Wget is installed, this command will return the installed version. Otherwise, you will need to install it.
Install Wget on Debian/Ubuntu
For Debian-based distributions like Ubuntu, use the following command:
sudo apt update sudo apt install wget -y
Install Wget on CentOS/RHEL
For CentOS and RHEL, install Wget using:
sudo yum install wget -y
Install Wget on Fedora
On Fedora, use the following command:
sudo dnf install wget -y
Install Wget on Arch Linux
For Arch-based distributions, use:
sudo pacman -S wget
Basic Usage of Wget
Download a Single File
To download a file using Wget, use:
wget <URL>
Example:
wget https://example.com/file.zip
Download a File with a Custom Name
Use the -O option to specify a different file name:
wget -O custom_name.zip https://example.com/file.zip
Download Multiple Files
To download multiple files, create a text file (urls.txt) with one URL per line and use:
wget -i urls.txt
Resume an Interrupted Download
If a download is interrupted, resume it using:
wget -c https://example.com/file.zip
Limit Download Speed
To limit the download speed to 100 KB/s:
wget --limit-rate=100k https://example.com/file.zip
Download Files in the Background
Run Wget in the background using:
wget -b https://example.com/file.zip
Mirror a Website
To download an entire website recursively:
wget --mirror --convert-links --adjust-extension --page-requisites --no-parent https://example.com/
Advanced Usage
Set User-Agent
Some websites block requests from unknown user agents. To mimic a browser:
wget --user-agent="Mozilla/5.0" https://example.com/file.zip
Download with Authentication
If a website requires authentication, use:
wget --user=username --password=password https://example.com/protected-file.zip
Use a Proxy Server
To download through a proxy:
wget -e use_proxy=yes -e http_proxy=http://proxyserver:port https://example.com/file.zip
Retry Failed Downloads
To retry downloads up to 5 times:
wget --tries=5 https://example.com/file.zip
Troubleshooting
Command Not Found Error
If wget is not found, ensure it is installed correctly by running:
which wget
If not found, reinstall it using the installation steps above.
SSL Certificate Errors
If you encounter SSL errors, try:
wget --no-check-certificate https://example.com/file.zip
Conclusion
Wget is a versatile and powerful tool for downloading files on Linux. Whether you need to download single files, entire websites, or automate downloads, Wget provides a wide range of options to meet your needs. By mastering the commands outlined in this guide, you can efficiently use Wget for various tasks.
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