If you want to update all the packages other than one package in your Ubuntu system follow this procedure There are three ways of holding back packages, with dpkg, aptitude or with dselect.
Using dpkg
Put a package on hold
sudo echo “package hold” | dpkg --set-selections
Example
sudo echo “apache2 hold” | dpkg --set-selections
Remove the hold
sudo echo “package install” | dpkg --set-selections
Example
sudo echo “apache2 install” | dpkg --set-selections
Knowing the status of your packages
sudo dpkg --set-selections
Using aptitude
With aptitude, you can hold a package using
sudo aptitude hold package_name
Example
sudo aptitude hold apache2
and remove the hold with
sudo aptitude unhold package_name
Example
sudo aptitude unhold apache2
Using dselect
With dselect, you just have to enter the [S]elect screen, find the package you wish to hold in its present state, and press the `=’ key (or `H’). The changes will go live immediately after you exit the [S]elect screen.
