Automic VaultAutomic Vault

brew

Install mtools with Homebrew, apk, apt, dnf, MacPorts, Nix, pacman, zypper

Tools for manipulating MSDOS files. Version 4.0.49 via Homebrew; verified from local package data.

Install commandSecurity notes

install

Additional install commands

macOS

Homebrewverified · 100%
brew install mtools

local Homebrew formula metadata

MacPortsverified · 94%
sudo port install mtools

MacPorts ports tree · sysutils/mtools/Portfile · source: api.github.com

Linux

Alpine Linux apkverified · 92%
sudo apk add mtools

Alpine Linux edge package indexes · mtools · source: dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org

Debian aptverified · 92%
sudo apt install floppyd

Debian stable package indexes · floppyd · source: deb.debian.org

Fedora dnfverified · 92%
sudo dnf install mtools

Fedora Rawhide package metadata · mtools · source: dl.fedoraproject.org

Nixverified · 92%
nix profile install nixpkgs#mtools

nixpkgs package indexes · pkgs/by-name/mt/mtools/package.nix · source: api.github.com

Arch Linux pacmanverified · 92%
sudo pacman -S mtools

Arch Linux sync databases · mtools · source: geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com

openSUSE zypperverified · 92%
sudo zypper install mtools

openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · mtools · source: download.opensuse.org

overview

Package summary

Tools for manipulating MSDOS files

Commands and aliases

  • amuFormat.sh
  • lz
  • mattrib
  • mbadblocks
  • mcd
  • mcheck
  • mcomp
  • mcopy
  • mdel
  • mdeltree
  • mdir
  • mdoctorfat
  • mdu
  • mformat
  • minfo
  • mkmanifest
  • mlabel
  • mmd
  • mmount
  • mmove
  • mpartition
  • mrd
  • mren
  • mshortname
  • mshowfat
  • mtools
  • mtoolstest
  • mtype
  • mxtar
  • mzip
  • tgz
  • uz

history

Project history and usage

mtools is the long-running GNU collection for accessing MS-DOS/FAT media from Unix-like systems without mounting the filesystem. The README history credits Emmet P. Gray with the original code through roughly version 2.0.7, notes Viktor Dukhovni's major input into version 2.0, and identifies Alain Knaff and David Niemi as primary maintainers after 2.0.7. The same README records March 3, 2009 as the date mtools became an official GNU package, with Gray supporting that transition.

Project history

The toolset is organized around DOS-like commands with Unix command-line ergonomics: mcopy, mdir, mdel, mformat, mlabel, mattrib, mmd, mren, and many related utilities. GNU release notes describe its scope as access to MS-DOS disks from GNU and Unix without mounting, changing FAT-specific attributes, formatting FAT media, supporting Windows-style long filenames, FAT32, OS/2 XDF disks, 2m disks, and disk image files through the -i flag. Debian describes the package similarly and lists related filesystem tools, which matches its role as a practical bridge for floppy disks, removable FAT media, and disk images.

How it is used

Its package-manager niche is durability rather than novelty. mtools persists in Homebrew, Debian, Fedora, Arch, Nix, MacPorts, and other ecosystems because scripts, retro-computing workflows, embedded build systems, virtual-machine image preparation, and recovery tasks still need direct manipulation of FAT filesystems without a kernel mount step or elevated mount policy.

security posture

Risk level: green

narrow executable package without higher-risk signals.

Risk classifier

green risk · low confidence · appliance

Why

  • narrow executable package without higher-risk signals

Signals

  • metadata:no-higher-risk-signals

Install behavior

  • No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
  • Homebrew bottle metadata is available for 8 platform targets.

Recommended review

Before unattended agent use, check whether the tool reads plaintext credentials, writes remote state, publishes artifacts, or shells out to plugins.

local files

Configuration and credential file locations

These source-backed paths show where this package keeps local settings or durable credentials. Automic Vault can use them as review targets for secret scanning, migration, and command approval.

Configuration files

Config paths the tool may read or write during local use.

Unix
SYSCONFDIR/mtools.conf~/.mtoolsrc

executables

Installed executables

CommandKindExposureNote
amuFormat.shcliglobal executable
lzcliglobal executable
mattribcliglobal executable
mbadblockscliglobal executable
mcdcliglobal executable
mcheckcliglobal executable
mcompcliglobal executable
mcopycliglobal executable
mdelcliglobal executable
mdeltreecliglobal executable
mdircliglobal executable
mdoctorfatcliglobal executable
mducliglobal executable
mformatcliglobal executable
minfocliglobal executable
mkmanifestcliglobal executable
mlabelcliglobal executable
mmdcliglobal executable
mmountcliglobal executable
mmovecliglobal executable
mpartitioncliglobal executable
mrdcliglobal executable
mrencliglobal executable
mshortnamecliglobal executable
mshowfatcliglobal executable
mtoolscliglobal executable
mtoolstestcliglobal executable
mtypecliglobal executable
mxtarcliglobal executable
mzipcliglobal executable
tgzcliglobal executable
uzcliglobal executable

freshness

Version and freshness

These signals separate page generation age, package-manager activity, and upstream release comparison. Version lag is warned only when an evidence URL and comparable versions are present.

page generated2026-07-08
manager version4.0.49
manager updated
local dataok
upstreamnot checked
latest detectednot detected

https://www.gnu.org/software/mtools/

  • infoNo package-manager update timestamp was available.low confidence
  • infoRelease/tag comparison is only available for GitHub repositories.https://www.gnu.org/software/mtools/none confidence

install metadata

Package metadata

Package keybrew:mtools
Version4.0.49
Package managerHomebrew
Package manager pagehttps://formulae.brew.sh/formula/mtools
Homepagehttps://www.gnu.org/software/mtools/
Repositoryhttps://savannah.gnu.org/cvs?group=mtools
Upstream docshttps://www.gnu.org/software/mtools/manual/mtools.html
LicenseGPL-3.0-or-later
Source archivehttps://ftpmirror.gnu.org/gnu/mtools/mtools-4.0.49.tar.gz
Bottleavailable (on arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, arm64_ventura, sonoma, ventura, x86_64_linux)
Homebrew post-installnot defined
Servicenone declared

registry facts

Source database details

Source DatabaseHomebrew formula API
Taphomebrew/core
Full Namemtools
Version Scheme0
Revision0
Conflicts With
  • mcat
  • multimarkdown
Bottle Stable Root URLhttps://ghcr.io/v2/homebrew/core
Deprecatedno
Disabledno
Keg Onlyno
URL Keys
  • stable

source database matches

Other package-manager records

Matches are pulled from external package-manager indexes and kept separate from local Automic Vault package links.

Debian apt95%

floppyd 4.0.48-1

Daemon for remote access to floppy drives

https://www.gnu.org/software/mtools/

sudo apt install floppyd
  • Section: otherosfs
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: mtools
  • 2 dependencies
  • 1 optional deps
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Mtools
Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: floppyd from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz
Debian apt95%

mtools 4.0.48-1

Tools for manipulating MSDOS files

https://www.gnu.org/software/mtools/

sudo apt install mtools
  • Section: otherosfs
  • Architecture: amd64
  • 1 dependencies
  • 1 optional deps
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Mtools
Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: mtools from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz
Nix95%

mtools

nix profile install nixpkgs#mtools
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Mtools
nixpkgs package indexes · api.github.com · nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/mt/mtools/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1
Ubuntu apt95%

floppyd 4.0.43-1build1

Daemon for remote access to floppy drives

https://www.gnu.org/software/mtools/

sudo apt install floppyd
  • Section: universe/otherosfs
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: mtools
  • 3 dependencies
  • 1 optional deps
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Mtools
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: floppyd from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz
Ubuntu apt95%

mtools 4.0.43-1build1

Tools for manipulating MSDOS files

https://www.gnu.org/software/mtools/

sudo apt install mtools
  • Section: otherosfs
  • Architecture: amd64
  • 1 dependencies
  • 1 optional deps
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Mtools
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: mtools from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/main/binary-amd64/Packages.gz
apk95%

mtools 4.0.49-r0

collection of utilities to access MS-DOS disks from Unix without mounting them

https://www.gnu.org/software/mtools/

sudo apk add mtools
  • License: GPL-3.0-or-later
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: mtools
  • 1 dependencies
  • 1 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Mtools
Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: mtools from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/main/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz
apk95%

mtools-dbg 4.0.49-r0

collection of utilities to access MS-DOS disks from Unix without mounting them (debug symbols)

https://www.gnu.org/software/mtools/

sudo apk add mtools-dbg
  • License: GPL-3.0-or-later
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: mtools
  • 1 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Mtools
Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: mtools-dbg from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/main/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz
apk95%

mtools-doc 4.0.49-r0

collection of utilities to access MS-DOS disks from Unix without mounting them (documentation)

https://www.gnu.org/software/mtools/

sudo apk add mtools-doc
  • License: GPL-3.0-or-later
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: mtools
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Mtools
Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: mtools-doc from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/main/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz
dnf95%

mtools 4.0.49-3.fc44

Programs for accessing MS-DOS disks without mounting the disks

https://www.gnu.org/software/mtools/

sudo dnf install mtools
  • License: GPL-3.0-or-later
  • Category: Unspecified
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: mtools
  • 4 dependencies
  • 2 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Mtools
Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: mtools from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst
pacman95%

mtools 1:4.0.49-1

A collection of utilities to access MS-DOS disks

https://www.gnu.org/software/mtools/

sudo pacman -S mtools
  • License: GPL-3.0-or-later
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • 2 dependencies
  • 2 optional deps
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Mtools
Arch Linux sync databases · geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com · Arch Linux sync databases: mtools from https://geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com/extra/os/x86_64/extra.db.tar.gz
zypper95%

mtools 4.0.49-1.3

Tools to access MS-DOS filesystems without kernel drivers

https://www.gnu.org/software/mtools/

sudo zypper install mtools
  • License: GPL-3.0-or-later
  • Category: System/Filesystems
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: mtools
  • 3 dependencies
  • 2 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Mtools
openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · download.opensuse.org · openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: mtools from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/be8d3611d25469107f32075a1697e69ec57a2b850b42348a658cc671ad5ec2b50760d02c3e59524d50da9a11d5be799bdaffba2e166e8ca8858512e3c0bd665d-primary.xml.zst
zypper95%

mtools-doc 4.0.49-1.3

Documentation for mtools, a toolset for MS-DOS filesystem access

https://www.gnu.org/software/mtools/

sudo zypper install mtools-doc
  • License: GFDL-1.3-only AND GPL-3.0-or-later
  • Category: Documentation/Other
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: mtools
  • 1 dependencies
  • 1 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Mtools
openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · download.opensuse.org · openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: mtools-doc from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/be8d3611d25469107f32075a1697e69ec57a2b850b42348a658cc671ad5ec2b50760d02c3e59524d50da9a11d5be799bdaffba2e166e8ca8858512e3c0bd665d-primary.xml.zst
MacPorts95%

mtools

sudo port install mtools
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Mtools
MacPorts ports tree · api.github.com · MacPorts ports tree: sysutils/mtools/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1

package graph

Links come from deterministic package relationships, av.db category and tag curation, ecosystem matches, and package hub membership.

Same workflow

  • dosfstoolsShares av.db curated category or tags: cli, fat, filesystem, filesystems, system.
  • btfsShares av.db curated category or tags: cli, filesystem, filesystems, system.
  • btrfs-progsShares av.db curated category or tags: cli, filesystem, filesystems, system.
  • dwarfsShares av.db curated category or tags: cli, filesystem, filesystems, system.
  • dyskShares av.db curated category or tags: cli, filesystem, filesystems, system.
  • e2fsprogsShares av.db curated category or tags: cli, filesystem, filesystems, system.

source trail

Generated from repository data

This page is generated by av-web from the private package SQLite artifact built by scripts/generate-pkg-sqlite.py.

Used sources

  • Geiger risk classifier
  • Nucleus package database
  • av.db category and tag curation
  • cross-ecosystem install command graph
  • curated configuration and credential file locations
  • curated package history
  • external package-manager database matches
  • package relationship graph
  • package version freshness
  • package-page enrichment