Ubuntu 24.04 Install Done? Just Do These 15 Things.

The 15 core secrets to elevate your new Ubuntu 'Noble Numbat' to a pro level.

Congratulations on installing Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. Forget complex configurations for now. IT journalist Alex has handpicked the 15 most crucial settings. With just these simple steps, your PC will become significantly faster, more secure, and more convenient.

[Initial Essentials]

Change Software Repository (for Faster Updates)

Open Software & Updates > Ubuntu Software tab, and change the 'Download from' server to one closer to your location to speed up updates.

Update Your System to the Latest Version

Open a terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and enter this command to get all your software up to date.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Install Graphics Drivers

Go to Software & Updates > Additional Drivers and select the official (proprietary) drivers for your NVIDIA or AMD card. This is essential for gaming and graphics performance.

Install Media Codecs

To play various video and audio formats like MP3 and AVI out of the box, enter the command below.

sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras -y

Enable the Firewall

Turn on the firewall with a simple command for basic security enhancement.

sudo ufw enable

[Software & Personalization]

Install GNOME Tweaks

This is a must-have app if you want to customize fine details of your desktop like fonts, icons, and themes.

sudo apt install gnome-tweaks -y

Enable Flatpak and Add Flathub

Add the Flathub repository to get access to a wider range of the latest applications.

sudo apt install flatpak -y
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

Set Dark Mode

Navigate to Settings > Appearance and select the 'Dark' style. It's easier on the eyes.

Customize the Dock

Go to Settings > Ubuntu Desktop to move the Dock to the bottom of the screen or adjust icon sizes to create a more familiar, Windows-like environment.

Enable the Tiling Assistant

In Settings > Ubuntu Desktop > Enhanced Tiling, turn on the 'Tiling Assistant'. Now you can simply drag windows to the screen edges to have them neatly arranged.

[System Optimization & Conveniences]

Install TLP (for Laptop Users)

Simply installing it will automatically optimize your battery life without any extra configuration.

sudo apt install tlp tlp-rdw -y
sudo tlp start

Set Up System Restore (Timeshift)

Install it with sudo apt install timeshift -y, then run it to create a system snapshot. If anything goes wrong, you can easily restore to a previous state.