The `screen` package is deprecated and not included in RHEL

Solution Verified - Updated -

Environment

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 10
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 9
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 8
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 7
  • screen

Issue

  • How to install the screen package in RHEL?
  • The screen package is not available in RHEL.

Resolution

Following a detailed evaluation, we decided to retire the screen package and officially recommend tmux.

We are transitioning away from the screen utility due to its outdated code and inactive upstream community. The tmux package offers a much better foundation for ongoing maintenance and the addition of new features.

Supporting both packages in RHEL became unsustainable due to the ongoing demands of patching CVEs and meeting government security certifications. Users who need to comply with DISA STIG requirements can safely use tmux as a direct alternative to screen.

The screen utility was marked as deprecated with the release of RHEL 7.6 and was not included as part of RHEL 8.0.

In appreciation for the friction of change this imposes on RHEL users, work is underway on a transition guide to help users switch. For example, screen bindings for tmux are available, and a community supported version of screen exists in EPEL 8 repository1.

  1. Support clarification and How to use EPEL ↩︎

This solution is part of Red Hat’s fast-track publication program, providing a huge library of solutions that Red Hat engineers have created while supporting our customers. To give you the knowledge you need the instant it becomes available, these articles may be presented in a raw and unedited form.

Comments