Things To Do After Installing Ubuntu 20.04/22.04 LTS

Having written a few top things in the past for Ubuntu systems, it’s that time of the year again for us to revisit the subject of some of the ideal things you need to do in order to successfully configure your Ubuntu operating system for optimal use.

For the uninitiated, Ubuntu is a family of operating systems that are oriented towards newcomers in the Linux world. With the main Ubuntu system using Gnome as the default desktop environment, we have other flavors that use desktops like XFCE, MATE, LXDE, and KDE by default.

[ You might also like: 13 Open Source Linux Desktop Environments ]

So irrespective of the Ubuntu-based system you may have, this guide will work just right for you as well.

1. Update Ubuntu System

For starters, we will be updating and upgrading our entire system to get it ready for further customizations. Do this by running the command below.

4 sudo apt update && upgrade
Update Ubuntu
Update Ubuntu

2. Update Ubuntu Privacy Settings

If you’re a Linux diehard – you don’t really have to be – then you probably have some privacy concerns that essentially made you abandon Windows for Linux and of course, this is a completely warranted move against the unscrupulous Windows data collection practices. On that note, you should be aware that there’s a certain level of data collection practices built into your Ubuntu system.

The best practice would be to go to your system setting -> privacy and observe what’s being collected and adjust accordingly. In my specific case, I decided to disable error reports to Canonical under diagnostics, turned off location services and usage history as well. These options happen to be the main concerns for me.. you might be inclined to turn off other options but let that be at your discretion.

Update Ubuntu Privacy Settings
Update Ubuntu Privacy Settings

3. Install Gnome Tweak in Ubuntu

With Gnome as the default desktop environment on our test system, it is a no-brainer; and even better, it doesn’t need Gnome DE as it works just well with any other flavor of Ubuntu you might want to install. Gnome Tweak Tool is a powerful swiss army knife that works across the board irrespective of the desktop environment.

It’s packed full of features ranging from appearance configuration – including themes, top bar options, font change, startup apps, windows, and workspaces.

Ubuntu Gnome Tweak
Ubuntu Gnome Tweak

Gnome Tweak tool is available in the default Ubuntu repository and can be installed using the command below.

$ sudo apt install gnome-tweaks

4. Install Ubuntu Restricted Extras

As an option equally available in the Ubuntu repo, you can configure your installation with Ubuntu restricted extras that will essentially configure the codecs necessary to play media files that your default Gnome video player, Totem, will not be able to set up.

$ sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras

This will essentially enable you to play most videos and audio via your Ubuntu default players.

Install Ubuntu Restricted Extras
Install Ubuntu Restricted Extras

5. Install a List of Important Applications

Ubuntu, for the most part, is barebones without a lot of third-party applications available with your default install. Use your Ubuntu software center to download the applications listed below or go the alternative route of using the terminal (which is my preferred way). With the exception of Google Chrome, the Ubuntu software center is great for the rest of the apps you need but rather slow for a quick install.

Google Chrome

Head over to the official Google Chrome website to download the Google Chrome .deb package for your Ubuntu system. If you’d like something different, consider Chromium although the experience is not necessarily up to par anymore as Google Chrome is still superior to Chromium.

Use the command below to download Chromium onto your Ubuntu system.

$ sudo apt install chromium

Synaptic

The synaptic package manager is a graphical user interface for the apt package manager for an easier configuration of your debian applications.

$ sudo apt install synaptic

VLC Media Player

A commonly underrated media player, VLC, is next to perfect for just about any system and I don’t see any reason why it’s been bundled by default considering the incredible set of functionalities that come with the system.

$ sudo apt install vlc

Gimp

If you’re keen on the adobe ecosystem, then you know why Gimp is important for those that are artistic at heart – or even if you’re just a daring user. Gimp is the ultimate representation of what’s possible when it comes to graphics work/image manipulation on Linux-based systems.

$ sudo apt install gimp 

Shutter

Shutter for Linux is my favorite screenshot tool that enables the power of screen capture at your fingertips. It is quite extensive as it prides itself in a well-rounded feature-set that doesn’t do too much or too little.

It’s just the perfect nifty tool with editing in tow that you just can’t go wrong with. Install Shutter using the command below

$ sudo apt install shutter

Thunderbird

Are you a heavy email user? Of course, I’m talking about myself and pretty much anyone with an email address for school, work, or personal. As a result, you’re probably familiar with the fact that It can quickly become cumbersome to manage multiple accounts within your browser.

And this is where Thunderbird comes in with native features that drive your productivity to the max while remaining as native as possible in your system with notifications and multi-accounts support in tow.

With a pretty painless and wizard-oriented setup, you will be up and running in no time with your emails. Download onto your Ubuntu system using the command below.

$ sudo apt install thunderbird

Timeshift

If you’re familiar with the Mac’s Time Machine then you know very well that it is a pretty ingenious way to ensure the safe recovery of your operating system if anything were to break and that’s exactly what Timeshift is for Linux-based systems.

In order to get it set up on your laptop or desktop, use the command below to add the ppa before running the install command.

$ sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:teejee2008/ppa
$ sudo apt install timeshift
$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt install timeshift

Once you’re done with the installation, you can open the application to configure your first backup.

6. Install Graphics Driver in Ubuntu

You want to install the proper graphics driver of your Ubuntu system to enable smooth rendering of the GUI; this would mostly be required too if you’re looking to game with your PC via Steam, Video editing, and so on.

Type in “software and updates” in the dash and go to the “additional drivers tab”; select as needed and apply changes.

Install Graphics Driver in Ubuntu
Install Graphics Driver in Ubuntu

7. Extras + Aesthetics

    • Move the panel from the left to the bottom of your screen.
    • Install Gdebi for a much easier and less bloated front-end package install – sudo apt install gdebi.
    • Install Glimpse an alternative to GIMP, based on GIMP – sudo apt install glimpse.
    • Switch to dark mode – easier on the eyes. Under settings,> appearance, Select ‘Dark Windows’ and voila, you have a much less infuriating GUI.
    • Enhance productivity with minimize on click using the following command in your terminal:
$ gsettings set org.gnome.shell.extensions.dash-to-dock click-action 'minimize'
  • Install Gnome Shell extensions using $ sudo apt install gnome-shell-extensions after which you can proceed to extensions under Gnome Tweak, disable Ubuntu dock and desktop icons.

We recommend that you go through with the list and you’ll just be ready to enjoy the rest of the Ubuntu experience as long as you need to.

From this point, you can now tailor the system to some other specific needs you might have; thereafter, it’s silky smooth sailing with this LTS release. If you do encounter any problems installing, or configuring the system as guided above, kindly let us know in the comments below.

Hey TecMint readers,

Exciting news! Every month, our top blog commenters will have the chance to win fantastic rewards, like free Linux eBooks such as RHCE, RHCSA, LFCS, Learn Linux, and Awk, each worth $20!

Learn more about the contest and stand a chance to win by sharing your thoughts below!

Jesse Afolabi
I am an aspiring Linux Engineer, a tech writer on thedroidreview and tecmint, I also love to dance and you can find me on YouTube - be sure to subscribe.

Each tutorial at TecMint is created by a team of experienced Linux system administrators so that it meets our high-quality standards.

Join the TecMint Weekly Newsletter (More Than 156,129 Linux Enthusiasts Have Subscribed)
Was this article helpful? Please add a comment or buy me a coffee to show your appreciation.

13 Comments

Leave a Reply
  1. Hi, I am having windows 10(v1703) but while installing the Ubuntu it is not showing install Ubuntu alongside windows. can you help me?

    Reply
  2. Hello,

    I am trying to install ia32-libs package on Ubuntu 16.04, but i can’t do, how can i install what are the required dependencies?

    Reply
    • @Naresh,

      I think package ia32-libs has been deprecated. I think you’re trying to install a application that might depends on ia32-libs package. If you exactly tell us what you trying to do, we could help you out with better solution..

      Reply
  3. I recently installed ubuntu along side my pre-installed windows 8. But during startup my windows8 boots first. If I want to boot ubuntu I have to press esc key, F9 before I will see grub. Please someone should please help me

    Reply
  4. Are you using 16.04 in the screen shots, it looks exactly the same as 15.10 what are the improvements in new version, why should i care to upgrade./

    Reply
  5. It sounds a bit like a joke when you affirm that firefox
    “it’s not the world’s most used browser and still lags behind Chromium – the open source version of Chrome — in terms of features and functionality.”
    firefox is globally consuming less resources than chromium, it still has more extensions and plug-in than chormium (and much betters if you lok for adavnced feature) and the argument that chrome is more popular is not relevant for a GNU-Linux user (or he will use windows)
    I am not convinced at all by your top7 stuffs to do straight after installing ubuntu… I don’t really see anything very important apart of “sudo update &&. sudo upgrade”
    What about being able to see flash video? Isn’t that more important to many users than to have various packet manager – that do the same thing- installed?
    Spotify, skype… That’s realy what you “advice” to install and what you use as a GNU-Linux fan?
    Come on! We are expecting a bit more from you.
    It is certainly not recommended to install skype from microsoft in a GNU-Linux distibution, hell no!

    Reply
    • point well made. thanks. i’ll update the article in nearer future. As for skype, it multi-platform and still remians one of the most used VoIP services around the world so it’s oly fair that i added it as one of the recommended apps to for those who may need it..

      Reply

Got Something to Say? Join the Discussion...

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. We appreciate your decision to leave a comment and value your contribution to the discussion. It's important to note that we moderate all comments in accordance with our comment policy to ensure a respectful and constructive conversation.

Rest assured that your email address will remain private and will not be published or shared with anyone. We prioritize the privacy and security of our users.