Can I use EndeavourOS without ever updating?

[u/Able-Farm6295]

Hi everyone,

I’m thinking about using EndeavourOS, but I have a question about updates.

Is it possible to install EndeavourOS and then never update the system at all?

I’m wondering if I can keep using the same installed packages and kernel indefinitely without performing system updates.

I understand there may be security risks and that some applications could eventually stop working, but I’m mainly curious whether the system itself can continue to run normally if I simply never update it.

Has anyone actually used EndeavourOS this way?

What would happen after several months or years without updates?

Thanks!

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[u/slukalesni]

Offline, you definitely can.

[u/Glad-Key7256]

It is theoretically possible ig

However, why would you want to never update the system?

Even if you never update the system, you will probably come across some software that you might want to install in the future, and/or some of you existing software may receive updates that enhances the software itself. In these situations, you will probably have to update your system as a whole (updating packages in isolation is not recommended and can lead to dependency breakages, unless you really no what you are doing)

It is advisable that you pick a more stable distro such as debian if you want to go extended periods without updating. Not updating an endeavouros install is akin to going out of your way to purchase a Kindle and proceeding to use it as a bookmark alone lmao

[u/ClubPuzzleheaded8514]

Yes. But it's like buying a car, removing the wheels, and ask Reddit if you can still turn the steering wheel. 

[u/yevelnad]

Just install debian.

[u/SiderealBright → u/yevelnad]

This is the best option. Installing a rolling release distro and never updating is, among other things, missing the point.

[u/elatllat → u/yevelnad]

Honestly the best option for low bandwidth installs. Alma offers 10 years of minor bug fixes (vs Debian 5 years) it actually updates kernel far more than Debian. Fedora is 1 year. Arch is every 5 minutes.

[u/jeroenim0]

Your browser will start to not be supported and fail at some point...

[u/Brilliant_Estate_967]

Yes you can.

But you are the reason auto updates exist

[u/Saltkrakan01]

Yes, if You also never need to install some additional software. I'm updating in circa two week cycle and even that, sometimes, I need to update system to install something, because some link, or something is old and not working. Yes, it's possible to bypass it manually, but later it can cause more troubles than update system. 

[u/RaielRPI]

What is your use case here for a never changing system?

[u/Johan-MellowFellow]

From my perspective its more aspects of stability, time, and risk management. If you never update you risk security issues, and risk having to deal with a major update when you inevitably need to add, update, or fix something. If you do continuous updates you risk having to deal with issues randomly and when you least have time to deal with it. My firm preferance is some level of balance and control. We get that by updating periodically when we either have time or make time. Optimal is when updates are not automatic, and the system warns you when it would be a good time to update. Like "fyi, an important security update has been released, and we recommend a full system update soon". That lets me do an update at a time that wont be disruptive.

[u/Puzzled_Hamster58]

Once you install what you need , it won’t care.

You open your self to risks online , and if software you use connects online. You can run into version issues. Etc

I use Linuxcnc which is Debian based . Once I got every thing setup etc . I took it off line since I use it to control my CNC machine and not updated it for 3 years.

[u/danderzei]

What would be the point of using a rolling distro buy not roll? Perhaps use an immutable Linux distro instead.

Not updating will also mean no security fixes, do not a good move.

[u/bassamanator]

Yes, your system will continue to run.

You might want to look into immutable Linux distros aswell.

[u/Full-Interaction2024]

my secondary laptop is endeavourOS. i accidentally ran a system update on it (i couldve aborted by decided not to), and realized i hadnt updated in 9 months. there were no actual problems with it at all.

that particular laptop is a walmart Acer i bought in 2014. it has 4Gb of RAM.

[u/Technical_Hamster100]

You need to updateiT because software doesent Work , is not about of kernel is about of software.

[u/therealmistersister]

yes, but if you need to install something via pacman, you may need to update hald the system all at once.