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How to Create Bootable USB Installer for Ubuntu 21.10 / 20.04

Last updated: October 15, 2021

ubuntu bootable usb

Want to create a bootable live-USB for installing Ubuntu on your machine? Well, here’s how to do it in Windows, Linux, or Mac OS.

I used to use UNetbootin to create bootable Live USB. However, the USB drive does not boot after writing with recent Ubuntu ISO images. So here I’m going to introduce you few other USB writing tools.

Though I prefer the style of Ventoy, it however does not install in my USB stick for unknown reason. If you need bootable USB with other data transfer usage unaffected, try it!

Requirements:

Firstly you need an USB stick with at least 4 GB storage. And backup your data before getting started.

Also a PC, Laptop / Notebook, or even Raspberry Pi running Linux, Windows, or Mac OS.

And download Ubuntu ISO image from either releases.ubuntu.com or ubuntu.com/download

Create Bootable USB from Ubuntu:

If you’re now working on Ubuntu, that’s great, simply search for and launch Startup Disk Creator. Other Ubuntu based systems can get it by installing the usb-creator-gtk package.

When the tool opens, click on “Other …” and select the Ubuntu ISO image. Plug-in USB stick and it will auto-detect it.

Finally click on “Make Startup Disk“, click OK to confirm and type your user password to get start.

When done, it should prompt you installation complete. That’s it.

Create Bootable USB from Other Linux, Windows, Mac OS.

For all other systems I’d recommend USBimager if no system built-in tool available, though there are many other USB creating tools in the web.

USBimager is a free and open-source tool with really simple interface. It small in package size with less than 200 KB. And it works on old systems, minimum system required Windows XP, Mac OS 10.13. Also it’s available for Raspberry Pi.

1.) Firstly select download the USBImager package from your system:

Download USBImager

2.) Then install and/or launch the tool, select ISO image via three dots “…” button and choose your USB stick from drop-down menu after plugged in.

Finally click on “Write” to start creating the USB installer.

The bottom bar will show the process info with data size and time left.

When done, you’ll see “Done. Image written successfully in xxx” message in the bottom.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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[Beginner’s Guide] How to Install deb file in Ubuntu in 4 Different Ways

Last updated: April 25, 2021

Got a deb file download from the web? This is a beginner’s guide shows you how to install the file in Ubuntu.

DEB is the software package format for Debian / Ubuntu based systems. Besides Ubuntu main / universe repositories and Ubuntu PPAs, some applications offer .deb files for downloading in their project pages or websites.

Option 1.) Directly install via double-click.

Like EXE file for Windows, you can simply double click on a deb file. By default, it opens Ubuntu Software with an option to install the software package.

This is the easiest way. However Ubuntu Software is buggy, it’s one of the top core apps being criticized for years.

Option 2.) Use Gdebi Package Installer.

Gdebi package installer is the most recommended way to handle .deb packages. It’s default in Linux Mint. Ubuntu users can either install it from Ubuntu Software or by running command in terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T):

sudo apt install gdebi

After installed it, just right-click on a deb file, select “Open With Other Application” and choose Gdebi package installer to open the file.

When Gdebi opens, it shows the package details including app description, dependency libraries, and installed files. To install it, click on “Install Package” button.

And a ‘Remove Package’ button will be available once you installed it.

Option 3.) Using apt command:

Apt is the most commonly used command to install, remove, and manage software packages from Ubuntu repositories, PPAs, and third-party apt repositories.

It seems to start from Ubuntu 20.04, the apt command added support for installing local deb files.

Firstly, right-click on blank area of the folder that contains the deb file. Then select ‘Open in Terminal’

When terminal opens, run command to install local deb file:

sudo apt install ./PACKAGE_NAME.deb

You can use wildcard character * in file name. In my case, the command can be:

sudo apt install ./giara_0.3*.deb

Option 4.) Using dpkg command:

dpkg is the command line package manager for Debian. I used to use the command to install local deb files in Ubuntu. The downside is that dpkg does not install missing dependency packages automatically.

To install a deb file via dpkg command, run:

sudo dpkg -i /path/to/file_name.deb

Same to the previous option, you can use “Open in Terminal” option to open folder in terminal and then run command:

sudo dpkg -i giara_0.3*.deb

Since it does not handle dependency automatically, the command often output error and leave package unconfigured. You have to run one more command to fix it:

sudo apt -f install

Conclusion:

Since Ubuntu Software is buggy and dpkg command does not handle dependency packages, Gdebi and apt command can be the best choices to install local deb file in Ubuntu via either graphical or command line.

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How to Upgrade to Ubuntu 21.04 from Ubuntu 20.10

Last updated: April 23, 2021

Ubuntu 21.04 Hirsute Hippo was officially released! For Ubuntu 20.10 users, here’s how to upgrade your system to the new edition.

Same to the previous version, Ubuntu 21.04 is a short term release with 9 month support. It’s powered by Linux Kernel 5.11 with following features:

  • Microsoft Active Directory integration
  • Use wayland as default session, while Xorg is still available.
  • Dark Gnome Shell Theme by default.
  • Use Desktop Icons NG extension for drag & drop support.
  • Use nftables as default firewall backend.
  • Add support for smartcard authentication
  • Toolchain and core application updates.

How to Upgrade Ubuntu 20.10 to Ubuntu 21.04:

1.) First of all, make backup of all your important data.

2.) Then disable or remove Ubuntu PPAs, or third-party repositories. To do so, open Software & Updates utility and go to Other Software tab.

3.) Next navigate to Updates tab, make sure the value of “Notify me a new Ubuntu version” is set to “For any new version“.

4.) If proprietary drivers are in use, it’s recommended to switch to the open-source drivers under Additional Drivers tab.

5.) Press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal, and run command to install all system updates:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

6.) Restart your machine, then open terminal and run command:

update-manager -d

The Software Updater will pop-up and prompt you that Ubuntu 21.04 is available.

7.) Click on “Upgrade” button and confirm after reading the release note dialog.

NOTE: though the release note says Hirsute Hippo development branch. It did upgrade to Ubuntu 21.04 final edition in my test.

After that, it starts downloading the release upgrade tool:

8.) Finally, you’re at the system upgrade wizard:

Before “Getting new packages“, it will again ask for confirmation. And your WON’T be able to cancel the upgrading process once you click on “Start Upgrade” button.

9.) Depends on network speed and system resources, the upgrading process can even take a few hours. However, there will be one or two confirm dialog during the process. So DON’T leave your machine too far, you have to keep an eye on it.

When everything’s done successfully, it will prompt to restart the machine to complete the process.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Dash-to-Plank – Plank Dock Integration in Ubuntu 20.04

Last updated: April 22, 2021

Prefer Plank dock launcher? Dash-to-Plank is the GNOME Shell extension to integrate it in Ubuntu.

Besides Dash-to-Dock and Dash-to-Panel, this is the third ‘Dash-to’ extension I’ve heard about. It’s Gnome Shell integration for Plank, the simplest dock on the planet.

Why Plank?

For me, the only reason to use Plank instead of Ubuntu Dock (Dash-to-Dock) is that there are tons of Plank themes available in the web, so I can change its look and feel at will.

Install Dash-to-Plank:

1.) Firstly, you have to install plank by running command in terminal (press Ctrl+Alt+T to open terminal):

sudo apt install plank

Though I’m not sure, before installing the extension system restart is required.

2.) Install the chrome-gnome-shell package if you’re first time to install a Gnome Shell extension.

sudo apt install chrome-gnome-shell

3.) Finally go to the extension web page and turn on the toggle icon to install it.

Don’t see the toggle icon? Click the link ‘Click here to install browser extension’ to install browser extension and refresh the web page.

That’s it!

In addition, the extension does not remove the default Ubuntu Dock. To get rid of it, disable ‘Dash’ via another extension.

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3 Ways to Check Your Wi-Fi Password in Ubuntu

Last updated: April 20, 2021

Forgot your wireless access point password? Well, there are a few ways to find it out in Ubuntu.

Option 1.) Using system’s wifi settings:

Firstly, if your Ubuntu is running with the default desktop environment. Simply go to Wi-Fi settings from system tray menu:

Then click on the gear button after the current connected access point to get into settings page. Navigate to the Security tab, and finally tick “Show password” check out to get the password.

Option 2.) Get Wi-Fi password via connection profiles:

For other desktop environments or command line, navigate to /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections directory either in file manager or by running command in terminal:

cd /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections && ls

There you’ll see all saved network connections. Just open the desired one with your favorite text editor (need root permission) or by running command:

sudo cat FILENAME.connection

When file opens, you’ll see the password under wifi-security section.

Option 3.) Single command to tell Wi-Fi password:

If you don’t hate Linux command, you can run this single command to print the current connected Wi-Fi password:

nmcli device wifi show-password

The command will work on all Linux systems. And it outputs a QR code for sharing with your friends.

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gThumb Image Viewer 3.11.3 Adds JPEG XL (.jxl) Support [Ubuntu PPA]

Last updated: August 23, 2021

gThumb, GNOME image viewer and organizer, released version 3.11.3 a few days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.10 via PPA.

gThumb 3.11.3 adds support for JPEG XL – the next generation image coding standard.

JPEG XL (.jxl) is based on ideas from Google’s Pik format and Cloudinary’s FUIF format. It is the next-generation, general-purpose image compression codec by the JPEG committee. Some popular apps, e.g., ImageMagick, XnView MP, have already added support for the image format.

gThumb now opens the .jxl image format through the libjxl library.

Other changes in the release include:

  • Added file actions to the viewer context menu.
  • Removed facebook and picasaweb uploaders
  • Fixed issue that continuously reloads image when it is only image in folder
  • Webp can have transparency as well.
  • New and updated translations.

How to Install gThumb 3.11.3 in Ubuntu via PPA:

For Ubuntu 18.04 (64-bit), Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 20.10, Ubuntu 21.04, Linux Mint 19.x, 20.x, you can install the new release packages via the unofficial PPA.

1.) To add the PPA, open terminal from system application launcher, and run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps

2.) You can then either upgrade the image viewer from an old version via Update Manager (Software Updater), or run command in terminal:

sudo apt install gthumb

Uninstall gThumb & the Ubuntu PPA

To remove gThumb image viewer, run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove gthumb gthumb-data

To remove the Ubuntu PPA, either run the apt-add-repository command with --remove flag, or use Software & Updates -> Other Software.

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Fix GVfs Admin “Unix process subject does not have uid set” in Ubuntu 21.10, 21.04

Last updated: October 18, 2021

Starting in Ubuntu 21.04, when user trying to open file or path via GVfs admin daemon it outputs an error and refuses to work.

This usually happens when you use “Open as Administrator” or “Edit as Administrator” to open folder or edit file via root. Or when you trying to access another user folder in system, and even using nautilus admin://, gedit admin://, or other commands in your script or console.

It usually outputs an error look like this:

GDBus.Error:org.freedesktop.PolicyKit1.Error.Failed: Unix process subject does not have uid set

The issue is caused by a gvfs commit to fix flatpak app network permission requirement problem. To get rid of the error (see bug), reverting just that one commit could be a workaround.

Method 1: Install old GVfs from Ubuntu 20.10 repository:

You can download & install the gvfs .deb packages for the previous Ubuntu 20.10. And here are the links for 64-bit system:

gvfs_1.46.1-1ubuntu1_amd64.deb

gvfs-libs_1.46.1-1ubuntu1_amd64.deb

gvfs-fuse_1.46.1-1ubuntu1_amd64.deb

gvfs-daemons_1.46.1-1ubuntu1_amd64.deb

gvfs-common_1.46.1-1ubuntu1_all.deb

gvfs-backends_1.46.1-1ubuntu1_amd64.deb

Grab the 6 packages, then open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to install all of them:

sudo apt install ./Downloads/gvfs*.deb

Method 2: upgrade GVfs via PPA (recommend):

Upstream has fixed the issue by releasing GVfs 1.48.1. Ubuntu somehow stuck at v1.47.91 in Ubuntu 21.10 & 21.04.

Besides building from the source, I’ve uploaded it into this PPA to make life easier.

1. Open terminal either by searching from activities overview screen or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/gvfs

2. Then either upgrade GVfs via “Software Updater” or run the apt command in terminal:

sudo apt install gvfs

After installing the new packages, Log out and back in to apply change.

How to Restore GVfs to stock version:

If you change mind, and want to revert it back, simply run command in terminal to purge the PPA which will downgrade the installed packages:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/gvfs

That’s all. Enjoy!

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Add Google Suggestions to System Search in Ubuntu 20.04 via Extension

Last updated: April 6, 2021

Want to get Google search suggestions in your system search results? There’s now an extension to enable the feature in Gnome Desktop.

Google Search Provider is the extension inspired by DuckDuckGo Search Provider. With it, typing any keyword in the Activities overview or ‘Show Applications’ search box will display Google search suggestions. And you can click to open the result in your favorite web browser.

How to Install the Extension in Ubuntu:

The Gnome Shell extension so far supports Gnome 3.36 & 3.38, so it should work in Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 20.10, and the upcoming Ubuntu 21.04.

1.) Firstly open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to install the chrome-gnome-shell package if you don’t have it:

sudo apt install chrome-gnome-shell

2.) Next go to the extension web page in web browser, and turn on the toggle icon to install it.

If you don’t see the toggle icon, click the link “Click here to install browser extension” and refresh the web page afterward.

Uninstall Gnome Shell Extension

To remove the extension, either go to the web page again or use Extensions tool, which can be installed via sudo apt install gnome-shell-extension-prefs command.

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How to Install Gnome 40 in Ubuntu 21.04 (For Testing Only)

Last updated: April 3, 2021

Want to try out the new Gnome 40 Desktop? You can install it in Ubuntu 21.04 Hirsute Hippo via PPA.

Gnome 40 was released more than a week ago with new features including new design for the overview screen, a horizontal workspace switcher, Dock at the bottom, new gestures, and more.

While Ubuntu 21.04 includes Gnome 3.38.x with some Gnome 40 core applications, you can get the new desktop environment via this third-party PPA.

1.) Firstly open terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:shemgp/gnome-40

Type your user password (no asterisk feedback) when it asks and hit Enter to continue.

2.) After adding the PPA, run command to upgrade the mutter window manager:

sudo apt install mutter

You can follow the command in the PPA description, which adds the package version in the code. It however just works with the package name only.

3.) Then install Gnome Shell 40 via command:

sudo apt install gnome-shell

4.) As the default Yaru theme is not updated for Gnome 40, you have to install and use Gnome Session instead of the Ubuntu Session. To install it, run command:

sudo apt install gnome-session

5.) And run command for the rest packages:

sudo apt upgrade

Finally reboot your machine. When you’re in login screen, DO SELECT “Gnome” or “Gnome on Xorg” before logging in. To do so, select your user and then click the gear button in the bottom-right and select Gnome in popup menu.

How to Uninstall Gnome 40:

To remove the new Gnome Desktop and revert back to the original v3.38.x, run command to purge the Ubuntu PPA:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:shemgp/gnome-40

And if you no longer use the Gnome Session from login screen, remove it via command:

sudo apt remove gnome-session
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Enable Light Mode Menus (System Menu, Notifications) in Ubuntu 21.04

Last updated: April 2, 2021

Prefer the light mode appearance? Here’s how to change the system tray menu, date & time menu, notifications, and other top panel drop-down menus from dark to light in Ubuntu 21.04.

Different to previous Ubuntu releases, Ubuntu 21.04 now has top-panel menus in dark mode. It’s good for those prefer the dark themes. However, light mode fans need to change the Gnome Shell theme to get better experience.

Before:

After:

1. Install User Themes Extension:

To get started, you have to first install the User Themes Gnome Shell extension, which enables ability to change the Gnome Shell Theme.

Method 1: Install the extension via single command:

Press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to bring up a terminal window and run the command below will install a dozen of extensions, including User Themes, in Ubuntu:

sudo apt install gnome-shell-extensions

Once installed, log out and back in.

Method 2: Install the extension from extensions.gnome.org:

For clean freak just need the single extension, firstly install chrome-gnome-shell package via command:

sudo apt install chrome-gnome-shell

Then click to go to the extension web page and turn on the toggle icon to install the extension.

Don’t see the toggle icon? Click ‘Click here to install browser extension’ to install browser extension, and then refresh the web page.

2. Change Gnome Shell Theme:

After installed User Themes extension, launch Gnome Tweaks (install it from Ubuntu Software) and go to Extensions tab.

There scroll down, find out and turn on the extension, click the gear button to get into settings. And finally select Yaru-light or gnome classic for even light top panel.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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