(Credit: Jeffrey Hazelwood/PCMag; Getty Images/Ubuntu)
Unlike other Linux-based systems that can be discouragingly complex, Ubuntu strives for simplicity. It starts you out with a straightforward desktop environment that includes the Firefox browser and a few basic utilities. Of course, if you're trying to make the leap from Windows, you might still need a bit of guidance. I've been running Ubuntu on and off since it launched in 2004, so I've put together a list of vital tips to help you customize the operating system, discover powerful hidden features, and install the software you need.
1. Activate Dark Mode
Ubuntu has a slick dark mode. You can toggle it by clicking the icons on the panel at the top-right corner of the Ubuntu desktop and selecting “Dark Style.”
2. Theme the Desktop
Ubuntu uses a distinct orange theme by default, but that's just one option. You can select different accent colors from the Appearance page in the Settings window. Simply click the icons in the top-right corner of the Ubuntu desktop, then the gear icon. You can also launch the Settings application to access these options via the Show Apps button in the bottom-left corner of the desktop.
3. Configure Display Options
Visit the Display page in Ubuntu’s Settings app to tweak display options to your liking. For example, Ubuntu defaults to 60Hz, but your PC's display might support a higher refresh rate for a smoother picture. I recommend increasing your display's refresh rate to the maximum available setting.
You can also adjust display scaling here. If text and other elements seem too small, increase the Scale percentage to enlarge them.
4. Integrate Your Online Accounts
Ubuntu’s Gnome desktop supports Google, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Exchange, and Nextcloud accounts. It can also access email servers with the IMAP or SMTP protocol, along with calendar entries, contacts, and files via WebDAV. To connect online accounts, open the Settings app in Ubuntu, select Online Accounts in the sidebar, and sign in to your accounts.
Connecting a Microsoft 365 account lets you access OneDrive files in Ubuntu’s Files app. Once you set up your Google account, Google Calendar entries appear in the calendar pop-up that opens when you click the time on the panel at the top of the Ubuntu desktop. Unfortunately, Ubuntu 26.04 LTS no longer supports accessing Google Drive files in the Files application.
5. Install More Software
The default install of Ubuntu 26.04 LTS includes a minimal set of tools, including a document viewer, the Firefox browser, and an image viewer. But you don't get basics like a music player, photo organizer, or video player.
To browse and search for more applications, open the Ubuntu App Center. You can install applications you might be familiar with from other operating systems, such as LibreOffice or the VLC video player.
However, desktop Linux also has its own ecosystem of mostly exclusive applications. For example, you might want to try the Rhythmbox music player, Shotwell photo organizer, or Showtime video player. You get these applications if you choose the extended application selection when installing Ubuntu. If you select the minimal application selection, you can install these apps from the App Center afterward.
The Gnome Calendar and Gnome Contacts applications integrate with your desktop’s online accounts to show calendar events and contacts, while the Evolution application shows email from these accounts. The Calendar app is part of Ubuntu’s extended application selection, while the others are available via the App Center.
Just keep in mind that the Ubuntu App Center won't likely have every app you want.
6. Head Online to Download Other Apps
Many developers offer Linux software directly through their websites. For example, if you want the official Google Chrome browser, you must install it straight from Google’s website.
Other applications are in Ubuntu’s App Center, but you still might have a better experience if you get them elsewhere. Valve's Steam app in the App Center, for example, is a sandboxed Snap package. The version from Valve’s website is not sandboxed and has fewer bugs in my testing.
A developer’s website will provide instructions on installing the software. Often, you can download and run a .deb file. You might also need to run terminal commands. Only install software or run commands from sources you trust.
7. Choose Your Favorite Web Browser
Ubuntu bundles Firefox, but most popular web browsers also run on Linux, so you have options. For example, you can install Google Chrome or other Chromium-based browsers such as Brave, Opera, or Vivaldi. Even Microsoft Edge has a Linux version.
You can also install the Chromium browser from Ubuntu’s App Center. This browser uses the underlying open-source Chromium project’s code and does not have Google account sync or other proprietary features.
8. Update Your Software
Ubuntu automatically installs security updates, and its App Center automatically updates your programs. To get other updates, simply open the Software Updater application and choose what you want to install.
9. Tweak Hidden Desktop Settings
Ubuntu's default Gnome desktop environment supports some extra options via a tweak tool. To get them, open Ubuntu’s App Center, search for Gnome Tweaks, and install it.
For example, you can swap desktop icon themes or tweak text rendering in this window. You can also activate a middle-click paste feature. Essentially, your desktop will automatically copy whatever text you select with your mouse, and then paste it when you next middle-click. This works differently from the standard copy-paste function, effectively giving you a second clipboard.
10. Get Extensions to Customize the Desktop
The Gnome desktop also supports extensions for customizing the lock screen, menus, and window animations, but this system isn't active by default. To find it, open Ubuntu’s App Center, search for the Extension Manager application, and install it.
This package lets you configure, install, and search for extensions. For example, you could install the Apps Menu extension to get a traditional pop-up-style applications menu. You can also configure or disable preinstalled extensions, such as Ubuntu’s dock.
11. Discover Over-the-Top 3D Effects
Linux desktops were historically known for over-the-top graphical effects, such as 3D cubes, fire animations, and wobbly windows. Ubuntu doesn’t use these effects by default, but you can get them via Gnome Extension Manager.
For example, search for and install Burn My Windows to burn windows when you close them, Compiz Windows Effects to make windows wobble when you move them, or Desktop Cube to put your Ubuntu desktop workspaces onto a cube. These are good examples of what’s possible with Gnome’s underappreciated extension system.
12. Set Up Automatic Backups
Backups are critical on any computer. Ubuntu’s minimal install doesn’t include a graphical backup tool, but you can get Déjà Dup Backups from the App Center. Ubuntu installs it if you choose the extended app selection during setup.
Once you have it, you can launch Backups from Ubuntu’s applications menu and configure its features. It can back up your files to a local location, such as an external drive. It can also save encrypted backups of your files to Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive, protecting them with a password you choose. The application will prompt you to sign in to your Google or Microsoft account and grant access the first time you use it; it uses a different connection than Gnome’s Online Accounts system. You can run backups manually or enable automatic scheduled backups.
13. Connect to a VPN
Ubuntu lets you connect to VPNs using the OpenVPN, PPTP, and WireGuard protocols. To connect to a VPN, open the Settings app, select Network, then tap Add VPN. You can then import a file to configure the VPN connection. Your VPN provider likely provides the file you need on their website, even if it doesn't have a Linux client.
However, many of our recommended VPNs have convenient graphical interfaces for Linux. These let you quickly configure settings like your VPN server’s locations without downloading a new file. ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Proton VPN all have Linux applications.
14. Go Beyond Steam With Lutris for Windows Games
Valve’s Steam application runs on Linux, letting you play many Windows games using the same Proton technology it uses for the Linux-based SteamOS on the Steam Deck.
To easily play Windows games that aren’t on Steam, install Lutris. You can install it from Ubuntu’s App Center. It lets you access other game libraries, like the Epic Games Store and GOG. It helps you easily install and play Windows games on Linux with minimal tweaking.
You could also turn to cloud gaming. Nvidia’s GeForce Now game streaming service officially supports Linux. It might be a good fit, especially if your Linux PC doesn’t have powerful graphics hardware.
15. Try Other Ubuntu Flavors and Desktop Environments
The standard Ubuntu installer includes the Gnome desktop, as mentioned, but that’s just one option. You can run other desktop environments that come with distinct sets of applications and interface conventions.
Ubuntu flavors are alternate versions of Ubuntu with different desktop environments. For example, Kubuntu comes with the customizable KDE Plasma desktop, which Valve includes with SteamOS. Xubuntu has a lightweight Xfce desktop optimized for lower resource usage; it’s ideal for older PCs. Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu Cinnamon, and Ubuntu Mate have other desktop environments you might prefer.
Consider creating live USB drives with these other flavors. You can then boot them up and try them on your PC without installing them. Which you prefer is a matter of preference, but I recommend trying Kubuntu if you want something new.
You can also install other desktop environments alongside Gnome on Ubuntu and choose between them from the sign-in screen. However, this will clutter your PC’s applications menus, since different desktop environments come with different image viewers, text editors, and utilities. You will thus end up with many overlapping programs.
Dive Deeper Into Linux
Ubuntu is just one Linux distribution, of course, and you might prefer others, such as Linux Mint, which ships with the Mate or Cinnamon desktop environments. I recommend trying multiple distributions and desktop environments until you find one that feels comfortable. As mentioned, the ability to boot them from a live USB means you don't have to fully install them on your computer.
For PCs in which all you want is a web browser, you can install Google’s ChromeOS Flex, which is Linux-based and even easier to use than Ubuntu.