After installing Ubuntu 26.04, the desktop is ready to use, but a few setup steps make the system easier to work with day to day. Updating packages, checking drivers, installing media codecs, setting up backups, and reviewing privacy settings are good first tasks on a new installation.
This guide explains what to do after installing Ubuntu 26.04. The checklist is aimed at desktop users who want a clean, practical setup without adding unnecessary tools.
If you have not installed the system yet, start with our guide on how to install Ubuntu 26.04
. If you moved from an older release, see how to upgrade to Ubuntu 26.04
.
Quick Reference #
| Task |
Command or Location |
| Update package lists |
sudo apt update |
| Upgrade installed packages |
sudo apt upgrade |
| Install media codecs |
sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras |
| Install Flatpak support |
sudo apt install flatpak gnome-software-plugin-flatpak |
| Add Flathub |
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo |
| Install GNOME Tweaks |
sudo apt install gnome-tweaks |
| Enable firewall |
sudo ufw enable |
| Check firewall status |
sudo ufw status |
| Remove unused packages |
sudo apt autoremove |
| Check Ubuntu version |
lsb_release -a |
| Review privacy settings |
Settings > Privacy & Security |
| Set up backups |
Settings > System > Backup |
Update Ubuntu #
Start by updating the package index and installing available updates. This pulls in security fixes, bug fixes, and package updates released after the installation image was created.
Open a terminal and run:
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
Enter your password when prompted and confirm the upgrade. If the update installs a new kernel or graphics driver, reboot before continuing:
You can also update from the desktop by opening Software Updater from the application menu.
Install Available Drivers #
Ubuntu detects most hardware automatically, but some systems need proprietary drivers for graphics cards, Wi-Fi adapters, or other devices. This is common on laptops and systems with NVIDIA graphics.
Open Software & Updates, go to the Additional Drivers tab, and wait while Ubuntu checks available drivers. If Ubuntu recommends a proprietary driver, select it and apply the change. Reboot after installing graphics or Wi-Fi drivers.
If you selected the third-party software option during installation, your system may already have the correct driver installed. It is still worth checking this screen once on a new system.
Install Media Codecs #
Ubuntu does not include every media codec by default. If you want better support for common audio and video files, Microsoft fonts, and some archive formats, install the restricted extras package:
sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras
During installation, you may be asked to accept the Microsoft font license. Use the keyboard to select OK, press Enter, then select Yes and press Enter again.
After the package is installed, try playing the video or audio file again. For most desktop users, this package is enough for everyday media playback.
Enable Flatpak and Flathub #
Ubuntu includes Snap support by default, and many applications are available from the Ubuntu App Center. Flatpak is another popular desktop app format, and Flathub provides current builds of many Linux desktop applications.
Install Flatpak and the GNOME Software plugin:
sudo apt install flatpak gnome-software-plugin-flatpak
Add the Flathub repository:
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
Log out and log back in, or reboot, so desktop app integration is fully available:
After that, you can install Flatpak applications from Flathub or from GNOME Software if the plugin is active.
Install Common Desktop Apps #
A fresh Ubuntu installation includes a browser, file manager, terminal, text editor, and basic utilities. Most users still add a few daily-use applications.
Common choices include:
- A web browser such as Google Chrome
, Chromium, Microsoft Edge, or Firefox.
- A media player such as VLC.
- Development tools such as Node.js
, Git, Python, Docker, or Visual Studio Code.
- Communication apps such as Slack, Discord, Zoom, or Teams.
- Desktop apps from Flathub when the Ubuntu repositories or Snap packages do not provide the version you want.
Use the Ubuntu App Center for simple desktop installs. Use apt when a package is available in Ubuntu repositories, and use the vendor’s official package only when you need the current upstream version.
Set Up Backups #
Set up backups before you spend too much time customizing the system. Backups are easier to trust when they are configured early and tested before you need them.
Open Settings > System > Backup and choose where to store your backups. An external drive is the simplest option for a single desktop or laptop. If you already use a cloud storage provider or network storage, configure that target instead.
At minimum, back up your home directory, which contains documents, downloads, browser profiles, SSH keys, and most application settings. If you keep important files outside your home directory, include those paths too.
After the first backup finishes, restore one small test file to confirm that the backup is usable.
Review Privacy and Security Settings #
Open Settings > Privacy & Security and review the options that match how you use the computer. On a laptop, pay special attention to location services, screen lock, automatic suspend, and notifications on the lock screen.
Good defaults for most systems are:
- Disable location services unless you use apps that need location access.
- Keep the screen lock enabled.
- Use a short automatic blank-screen delay on laptops.
- Hide notification details on the lock screen if the computer is used in public places.
- Review diagnostics and error reporting options.
If the computer is shared, create separate user accounts instead of sharing one login. Use an administrator account only when needed, and keep daily users separate when possible.
Enable the Firewall #
Ubuntu includes UFW, a simple firewall tool for managing incoming connections. On a typical desktop system, enabling UFW blocks unsolicited inbound traffic while allowing normal outbound connections.
Enable the firewall:
Check the status:
If you use SSH, file sharing, development servers, or remote desktop tools, allow those services before relying on the firewall rules. For a full command reference, see our UFW firewall guide
.
Customize the Desktop #
Ubuntu 26.04 uses the GNOME desktop with Ubuntu’s dock and appearance settings. You can adjust the most common options from Settings > Appearance.
Useful settings to review include:
- Light or dark style.
- Accent color.
- Dock position and auto-hide behavior.
- Desktop icons.
- Default applications.
- Keyboard shortcuts.
- Display scaling for high-resolution screens.
Do not change every option at once. Make a few changes, use the desktop for a day, then adjust anything that still feels awkward.
Install GNOME Tweaks #
GNOME Tweaks exposes settings that are not shown in the default Settings app. It is useful for changing window behavior, fonts, startup applications, and a few interface details.
Install it with:
sudo apt install gnome-tweaks
Open Tweaks from the application menu. If you also use GNOME Shell extensions, install only the extensions you need and remove ones you no longer use. Too many extensions can make desktop upgrades harder to troubleshoot.
Improve Laptop Battery Life #
On laptops, start with the built-in power settings. Open Settings > Power and choose the profile that matches your current use:
-
Power Saver for longer battery life.
-
Balanced for normal use.
-
Performance when you need maximum speed and the laptop is plugged in.
Also review screen brightness, automatic suspend, Bluetooth, and keyboard backlight settings. Small changes here often matter more than installing extra tools.
If you need more control, you can install TLP:
Start and enable the service:
sudo systemctl enable --now tlp
Use TLP only if you are comfortable troubleshooting power behavior. On many newer laptops, Ubuntu’s built-in power profiles are enough.
Remove Unused Packages #
After installing updates and applications, remove packages that were installed as dependencies but are no longer needed:
Review the package list before confirming. autoremove is usually safe, but it is still a good habit to read what will be removed.
You can also clear downloaded package files from the local cache:
This frees disk space, but it means packages will need to be downloaded again if you reinstall them later.
Check the Ubuntu Version #
After updates and any reboot, confirm that the system is running Ubuntu 26.04:
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: Ubuntu 26.04 LTS
Release: 26.04
Codename: resolute
If lsb_release is not installed, you can check /etc/os-release:
For more options, see how to check your Ubuntu version
.
Next Steps #
Once the desktop basics are in place, install the tools you need for your work. Developers may want Docker
, Node.js, Git, Python, or Visual Studio Code. Desktop users may want Chrome, VLC, Flatpak apps, printer support, or cloud sync tools.
If you plan to use the machine as a server, create a separate setup plan. Desktop post-install tasks are different from server hardening, SSH access, service configuration, and firewall rules for hosted applications.
Conclusion #
Ubuntu 26.04 works well after a clean installation, but updates, drivers, codecs, backups, firewall settings, and desktop preferences make the system more practical for daily use. Start with the essentials, then add only the applications and customizations you actually need.