The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →On DSM 7, add a third-party package source in Package Center > Settings > Package Sources > Add. Enter a name and the repository URL published by the package’s developer, then select OK. Packages from a source that loads successfully appear in Package Center’s Community area. Adding the source does not, by itself, update packages already installed on your NAS.
Before adding a package source
A package source is a repository address provided by a third-party developer or publisher. Verify that the URL comes from the publisher you intend to use, rather than relying on an address copied from an unrelated site. Also check the package maintainer’s compatibility notes for your NAS model and DSM version before installation. Synology’s DSM 7 documentation says packages not signed by Synology are restricted from running with root privileges; that restriction is not a substitute for checking whether an individual package supports your device and DSM release. Synology’s DSM 7 compatibility information was last updated June 13, 2022, so it should not be treated as a complete current package catalog.
Add a third-party source in DSM 7
- Open Package Center.
- Select Settings > Package Sources.
- Select Add.
- Enter a recognizable name and the location URL supplied by the package publisher or developer.
- Select OK, then allow time for the source to load.
When the source has been added successfully, its packages are listed in Package Center > Community. The first load can take some time. If DSM displays Invalid location, check that the address is valid and matches the repository URL published by the developer. Synology’s Package Center tutorial explains the installation workflow and notes that a developer’s website may provide the repository link.
Find and install packages from the source
After the repository appears in the Community area, browse its available packages and open the package you want. Review its description and compatibility information before choosing the installation action shown in Package Center. A source being listed does not establish that every package in it supports your NAS model or DSM version; consult the package publisher when those details are unclear.
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Update installed packages separately
Adding a source makes packages from that source available in Package Center. It does not guarantee that an already-installed package will update automatically. Check Package Center for available updates, and consult the publisher for the package’s release cadence and compatibility notes. Synology does not specify one universal update schedule for third-party packages.
Package Center’s Auto-update tab controls automatic updating where a package supports it. Synology notes that a grayed-out checkbox means that package does not support automatic updating. For important versions that fix critical bugs or security vulnerabilities, check for updates rather than assuming every package will update itself. See Synology’s Package Center settings documentation for the update-setting details.
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Check publisher trust settings carefully
Synology’s available explanation of package trust levels describes DSM 6, not a verified set of current DSM 7 labels. That older documentation lists Synology-only, Synology plus trusted publishers, and any publisher; it describes trusted publishers as those trusted by adding a package source or importing the publisher’s certificate. Its “Any publisher” option permits installation regardless of publisher and integrity. Do not assume those labels or choices match the interface on a DSM 7 system; use the options shown by your installed DSM version. Synology’s trust-level documentation is the DSM 6 reference.
Use a local .spk file instead when appropriate
Manual installation is an alternative if you need a specific package version or do not have internet access from the NAS. It requires a compatible package file to be available, and not every third-party package is offered as a suitable .spk.
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- Obtain the .spk file from the intended publisher and confirm it is for your NAS model and DSM version.
- In Package Center, select Manual Install.
- Select the package file and review the package information displayed by DSM.
- Apply the installation if the source and compatibility checks are satisfactory.
Manual installation gives you control over which available file and version to install, but it does not remove the need to check the publisher’s compatibility guidance. The publisher’s instructions should also clarify how that package receives later updates. Synology documents manual installation in its Package Center tutorial.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Repository or manual installation?
| Consideration | Package source | Manual .spk installation |
|---|---|---|
| How you discover packages | Browse packages from the added source in Package Center’s Community area. | Select a local package file in Package Center’s Manual Install workflow. |
| Choosing a version | Package Center presents packages available through the source; version selection depends on what the publisher provides. | You select the available .spk file, which can be useful when installing a specific version. |
| Internet access | The source must be reachable for its packages to load. | Can be used without NAS internet access if you already have a compatible package file. |
| Updates | Check Package Center; automatic updating depends on package support and settings. | Ask the publisher how the installed package receives updates; the manual file itself does not establish an update schedule. |
| Availability | Requires a valid source URL and packages available from that source. | Requires a compatible third-party .spk file, which may not be offered. |
Synology documents both installation routes, but that does not mean every third-party package is available through both.
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