How to List All Startup Applications / Services in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: June 21, 2019

gnome shell

This quick tutorial shows beginners how to list and edit all startup applications or services in the Startup Applications utility in Ubuntu 18.04 and higher.

In the default Ubuntu Gnome desktop, there’s a Startup Applications utility allows to add, remove, or edit system startup applications or services.

While most startup apps or services are hidden, it shows only a few applications or even is empty.

1. To display all hidden startup applications or services, simply open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command:

sudo sed -i 's/NoDisplay=true/NoDisplay=false/g' /etc/xdg/autostart/*.desktop

Type user password when it prompts and hit Enter.

Then restart the utility and you’ll see a large list of applications. You MUST be careful as changing them may break your desktop.

2. And to hide them again, simply run command in terminal:

sudo sed -i 's/NoDisplay=false/NoDisplay=true/g' /etc/xdg/autostart/*.desktop

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I'm a freelance blogger who started using Ubuntu in 2007 and wishes to share my experiences and some useful tips with Ubuntu beginners and lovers. Please comment to let me know if the tutorial is outdated! And, notify me if you find any typo/grammar/language mistakes. English is not my native language. Contact me via ubuntuhandbook1@gmail.com Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/ubuntuhandbook1