Ubuntu Desktop for beginners or easy start !

Updated 2025-05-18

This post is for both Windows and Mac users ! 

I have been running Linux, Raspberry Pi OS, since several years but almost just the Lite version (without Desktop).

But when my old MacBook Air "gave up", with Mac OS, it came naturally to use Ubuntu Desktop since it's also based on the Debian Linux distribution and the most used Linux distribution.

So it ended up with installing Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS(UOS) or the later 24.10 !

Intro

The install process took care of everything from WiFi, Bluetooth, keybord layout, keyboard light, microphone, speakers, touchpad and so on.

Chris, at "Explaining Computers", made a nice review and install of UOS 24.04 in this YouTube video.

And please don't be "afraid" of Ubuntu, it's not that different from Mac OS or Windows !

Testing before installing

Chris released another video on how easy it is to test applications and OS before installing. Its not Ubuntu but another Linux distro so the same !

Install

Please note that an internet connection will improve your installation !!

During the installation, of apps, you have to choose from "Default selection(DS)" or "Extended selection(ES)". The DS comes just with the basic essentials which I prefer. This is due to that I then can select just the applications I want and also, in many cases, use the "Snap or "Flatpak" package managers, mentioned below, to install them.

Windows

Create an USB installer and install.

Mac

Create USB installer

Reboot, with the USB connected, with the "Option/Alt" button pressed and choose "EFI Boot". During the install process you also can erase the disk. Please note that the installation process is improved if you have an active Internet connection.

Install Ubuntu desktop

With a created installer the installation on my old Mac took about 50 minutes.

Post install

OS update

Go to "Show Apps => Software updater"

or "Show Apps => Settings => System => Software updates"

Update installed Snaps

"App Center => Manage Installed Snaps => Check for updates".

Ubuntu Pro(Only available using the LTS version)

Ubuntu Pro is an extended support and security update subscription that is free for non-commercial use. Create an account and then create a subscription. Subscribe via "Show Apps => Software & Updates => Ubuntu Pro" and use the token you just where given.

Package managers

Package Managers(PM) are software tools that handles the programs, apps, on the computer. In this setup I'm using 3 different PM, Debian, Snap, Flatpak, 

The use of PM can, kept simple, be percieved as a little different to Mac:s App store or Microsoft Store but just see it as another way. Open Source and free !! Another thing to consider is that not all apps are available at all PM:s. 

On the other hand there are other points, described here, that may lead you to use Flatpack as much as posible ?

App Center

In the latest Ubuntu distributions you can handle, both Debian packages and Snap packages with the GUI "App Center". When searching for an app you can use the "Filter by" drop down to get the right PM.

"apt" is said to be the recomended way, command line(CLI), to install Debian packages and it's installed together with the UOS. But if you don't like CLI use "App center" search by "Filter by => Debian packages" as mentioned above. (The "old" GUI for Debian packages was "Synaptic Package Manager".)

Flatpak

The Flatpak package manager(FPM) is not installed by default but here you find the instructions.

Don't forget to add the repository 

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

After the installation of Flatpak, and a reboot, you will find the application at "Show Apps => Software".

Logs

Sometimes you have to dig into the logs and the easiest way is to use the app "Show Apps => Utilities => Logs". 

The logfiles can grew very big if you don't take care. Check the size with 

journalctl --disk-usage

to limit the size to for example 500 MB, use command

sudo journalctl --vacuum-size=500M

or just 7 days 

sudo journalctl --vacuum-time=7d

A good tutorial is found here.

Nice to have programs ?

Mail client

The default mail client is Thunderbird. If not installed get it via "App center" or "Flatpak".

• Create unified folders via "Menu => View => Folders => Unified folders" 
• Allow remote content via "Menu => Settings => Privacy & Security => Allow remote content in messages"

Another popular one is Evolution which is an Open-Source Email Client by GNOME. Install via the FPM app "Sotware" and search for "Evolution"

Install Chrome ?

Firefox is installed by default but maybe you prefer Chrome ? 

Please note that Google Chrome(GC) and Chromium are different applications, with a common base, and if you want to synchronize bookmarks and other stuff from another hardware, with GC installed, use GC !! Chromium will not synk in a easy way !!

Use, Flatpak, "Show Apps => Software" and search for "Google Chrome"

or 

Use Firefox and go to https://www.google.com/chrome/ and download the Ubuntu version. Dubble click on it and it will open "App Center" and then install.

LibreOffice 

If you have chosen the "Extended selection(ES)" during install the LibreOffice package is installed by default. 

Otherwise install via the FPM app "Software" where you search for "LibreOffice". If you want to minimize the install just pick the applications you want and not the whole Office Package. 

Gnome Tweak Tool

The Gnome Tweak Tool is a software that allows you to change the general appearance and behavior of components in the Gnome Desktop Environment. In "App center" search for "Gnome Tweaks" and "Filter by => Debian packages" and install. Or CLI "sudo apt install gnome-tweaks".

The app is then found in "Show Apps => Utilities => Tweaks".

ssh

The ssh client is installed by default but if you want to activate a ssh server you have to install it with

sudo apt install openssh-server

It will be setup automatically and could be used with the default configuration. Activate it via "Settings => System => Secure Shell". Test to access it from another client on the same lan with "ssh user@host.local".

Remote Desktop

Remote access from clients accessing the Ubuntu GUI, desktop, is activated via "Settings => System => Remote Desktop" 

Use the "Desktop Sharing" when you already are logged in or the "Remote Login" when you start with the Ubuntu login screen.

Edit the "Login Details" so they matches your intentions !!

On the client install a RDP client software. I prefer the Windows clients which are available for "all" environments.

Problem with a Mac ..... Error code: 0x207 "Desktop Sharing" worked but not "Remote Login" which is solved here !

Change the line in the settings ".rdp" file from "redirection server name:i:0" to "redirection server name:i:1"

The address to the server is line: "full address:s:192.168.nnn.nnn" or a host name.

Problem with an iPad and iPhone... the problem for the Mac is also valid here but needs a little other solution due to that the RDP apps don't support Import/Export !!

The change to the ".rdp" file should still be done but then download the file to, for example iPad, location: "On My iPad". Then create a "Shortcut", on the iPad, with "Open File" and select the ".rdp" file, then "Add to Home Screen" and save. Now when you click on the shortcut icon on the "Home screen" you will start the RDP application and access the server. 

Remote access

Accessing other servers with screen and file sharing is nicely done with the Remmina client which supports several protocol. VNC, SSH, RDP.....

In "App center" search for "Remmina", "Filter by => Snap packages" and install.

System information tool

A nice light weight text interface app, instead of "neofetch" ?, to get info about the system is Archey. Install the latest release with

wget https://github.com/HorlogeSkynet/archey4/releases/download/v4.15.0.0/archey4_4.15.0.0-1_all.deb

sudo apt install ./archey4_4.15.0.0-1_all.deb

Problem

Secondary click

I had problem with the touchpad and "Corner Push". So in "Settings => Mouse and Touchpad => Touchpad Clicking" just click on "Two Finger Push" and then clicking "Corner Push" solved it.

updating "snap-store"

If problem occurs updating "snap-store", via App center, use terminal and

sudo snap refresh snap-store

error: cannot refresh "snap-store": snap "snap-store" has running apps

       (ubuntu-software), pids: nnnn

kill nnnn

sudo snap refresh snap-store