ubuntu-gnome-desktop

If you use any version of Ubuntu from 17.04 onwards, you can use this little trick to restore the Ubuntu desktop settings to those that come by default . Something relatively similar to that option offered by Windows 10 to restore a computer in case it presents problems.

Now, in Ubuntu we can do it through a command. This works with Unity, with GNOME Shell, and also with MATE , in case you use the distribution with any of those environments.



If you open the terminal and execute this command can pass several things:

  • Restart the desktop to its original state
  • Applications that were anchored to the dock disappear, just like the
  • The monitor resolution settings are changed
  • Custom keyboard shortcuts are cleared
  • It restores the typeface, icon theme and GTK theme to those that come by default
  • Launcher behavior resets
  • Settings are reset for any application that uses dconf to store them
  • Some bookstore settings could be restored, user accounts deleted, plugins disabled or logged out on online services

We have tested it in the last beta of Ubuntu 17.10 . Now, if you are sure that you want to do all this, you can proceed to write the command in your console:

dconf reset -f /

ubuntu-gnome-desktop

image source: omg ubuntu desktop

Note that applications that do not use dconf for their settings, such as Chrome, for example, will not be affected by the execution of the command . Neither will the drivers, nor versions of the Linux kernel, nor GRUB.

This command what it mainly does is to return your desktop to its original state. It is perfect if you have customized many aspects of this and you are experiencing problems. It will not uninstall programs, nor will it change your default apps .