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How to Install FreeFileSync (14.2 Updated) in Ubuntu 24.04 & 22.04

Last updated: February 20, 2025

This simple tutorial shows how to install (and uninstall) FreeFileSync, open-source file synchronization software, and create application shortcut in Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04,  and Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.

FreeFileSync is a free and open-source software to create and manage backup copies of all your important files. Instead of copying every file every time, it determines the differences between a source and a target folder and transfers only the minimum amount of data needed.

How to Install FreeFileSync in Ubuntu:

1.) The software now provides an official .run installer, available to download at its website:

Download FreeFileSync

Scroll down a little and select download the Linux package.

2.) Extract the source tarball in file manager, then you can navigate to the extracted folder and click Run the installer to get start installing FreeFileSync.

3.) The installer starts a terminal window. And, you have to answer ‘y’ to access license terms. Or, press ‘s’ to show details then ‘y’ to accept, or ‘n’ to refuse.

4.) The installer by default to install the software for system wide into /opt/ directory. Meaning, all users in this Ubuntu system can run it.
For choice, you can type 1 to switch to current user only. If you want, also type 2 to change installation directory, and type 3 to choose whether to add the app icon to the desktop.

When done selecting installation type, directory, and whether to create desktop shortcuts, hit Enter to start the process. If everything goes well, it will show you something as the screenshot below, indicates that all done.

5.) Enable desktop icons.
The desktop icons by default are not usable due to permission issue. Just right click on them one by one and select “Allow Launching” will make them work.

Or, simply delete the desktop icons (move to trash) since you can launch FreeFileSync from start menu or Gnome overview (depends on your desktop environment).

How to Uninstall FreeFileSync:

The installation folder contains a uninstall script to remove FreeFileSync from your system.

Press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal, then run either command below to uninstall:

  • If installed for current user only, then run command: 
    $HOME/FreeFileSync/uninstall.sh
  • For all users (if installed system wide), use command: 
    /opt/FreeFileSync/uninstall.sh

If you selected non-default installation directory, then replace $HOME/FreeFileSync or /opt/FreeFileSync in the command above according where you installed the software.

In case you forgot where it was installed, use either command below to tell:

cat /usr/share/applications/FreeFileSync.desktop |grep Exec
cat $HOME/.local/share/applications/FreeFileSync.desktop |grep Exec
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How to Install FFmpeg 4.3 in via PPA Ubuntu 18.04, 16.04

Last updated: June 19, 2020

FFmpeg 4.3 was released a few days ago as the new major release. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 16.04, and Linux Mint 18.x, 19.x.

What’s new in FFmpeg 4.3:

  • Intel QSV-accelerated MJPEG decoding
  • Intel QSV-accelerated VP9 decoding
  • Support for TrueHD in mp4
  • Support AMD AMF encoder on Linux (via Vulkan)
  • Vulkan support.
  • AV1 encoding support via rav1e, an AV1 Annex B demuxer.
  • ZeroMQ support
  • VDPAU VP9 decode
  • And much more other features, see Changelog file in Github.

How to Install FFmpeg 4.3 via PPA:

The unofficial PPA has built the packages, so far only support for Ubuntu 18.04 and Ubuntu 16.04.

1.) Open terminal either by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard, or by searching for ‘terminal’ from your system application menu. When it opens, run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:jonathonf/ffmpeg-4

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) and hit Enter to continue.

2.) Then refresh system package cache and install FFmpeg 4.3 via commands:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install ffmpeg

Once installed, check version via ffmpeg -v command:

Uninstall:

To remove the PPA repository as well as downgrade FFmpeg to the stock version, run command:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:jonathonf/ffmpeg-4
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Arduino IDE 1.8.13 Released, How to Install in Ubuntu 20.04

Last updated: June 18, 2020

Arduino IDE 1.8.13 was released a day ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 19.10, Ubuntu 18.04.

Arduino 1.8.13 release highlights:

  • Fixed crash on MacOSX >=10.15 with multiple monitor setups.
  • The boards listed in the “Tools” menu are now grouped by platform.
  • Fixed save of proxy username/password settings in “manual proxy” section.
  • Allow baudrate/config change when the Serial Monitor/Plotter is disabled
  • Improve network board detection.
  • Any many other changes, see release note.

How to Install Arduino 1.8.13 in Ubuntu:

You can install either the snap package from Ubuntu Software or flatpak package from flathub repository.

1.) For the official Linux package, go to the link below:

Scroll download and click download “Linux 64-bits” (or 32-bits if you’re sill running 32 bit system) package.

2.) Open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to extract Arduino to /opt for global use:

cd ~/Downloads && sudo tar -Jxvf arduino-*.tar.xz -C /opt/

Type user password (no visual feedback) for sudo prompts when it asks and hit Enter.

3.) Run the installer.sh script to create app launcher:

sudo /opt/arduino-*/install.sh

Finally open the IDE from ‘Show Applications’ menu and enjoy!

Uninstall Arduino:

To uninstall the application shortcut, simply run command:

sudo /opt/arduino-*/uninstall.sh

And also remove the software directory via command:

sudo rm -r /opt/arduino-*
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How to Improve Battery Life in Ubuntu 20.04 LTS

Last updated: June 16, 2020

Want to get better battery life for your Ubuntu laptop? Besides struggling with various settings or config files, try the power management tool TLP and Slimbook Battery.

TLP is a feature-rich command line utility for Linux, saving laptop battery power without the need to delve deeper into technical details.

TLP’s default settings are already optimized for battery life and implement Powertop’s recommendations out of the box. So you may just install and forget it.

1.) How to Install TLP in Ubuntu 20.04:

Simply open terminal either from application menu or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When terminal opens, run command:

sudo apt install tlp

Once installed, you’re done as it runs silently in background with a default configuration already optimized for battery life.

To fulfil your specific requirements, you can install the GTK user interface TLPUI via this PPA.

2.) Install Slimbook Battery:

Slimbook Battery is a graphical tool based on TLP, it offers an indicator menu that includes Energy Saving, Balanced, and Maximum Performance modes.

Advanced mode provides options to change CPU limit, graphics saving, screen brightess, disable animation, bluetooth, auto-suspend USB ports, etc.

To install Slimbook Battery from its official PPA, run following commands in terminal one by one in terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:slimbook/slimbook

sudo apt update

sudo apt install slimbookbattery

Once installed, launch it from ‘Show Applications’ menu and enjoy!

(Optional) To remove Slimbook Battery as well as its PPA, run following commands one by one:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:slimbook/slimbook

sudo apt remove --autoremove slimbookbattery
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How to Install Gnome Software as Ubuntu Software in Ubuntu 20.04

Last updated: June 12, 2020

Ubuntu Software in Ubuntu 20.04 LTS now is really Snap Store. For those who want to revert back the previous Gnome Software, this simply tutorial may help.

1.) Gnome Software is available in the universe repositories. You can install it easily by running command in terminal (press Ctrl+Alt+T to open terminal):

Once installed, you can launch Gnome Software, which is marked as ‘Software’, from ‘Show Applications’ menu.

2.) To make Gnome Software into Ubuntu Software.

Snap Store itself is a Snap application, you can remove it by running command in terminal:

snap remove snap-store

Run command to edit the .desktop file of Gnome Software:

sudo -H gedit /usr/share/applications/org.gnome.Software.desktop

When file opens, do:

  • Change value of Name to Ubuntu Software.
  • Change the value of Icon to ubuntusoftware (no space between the 2 words)

Save the file and Ubuntu Software is now Gnome Software.

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How to Install Flatpak Apps in Software Center in Ubuntu 20.04

Last updated: June 12, 2020

This simple tutorial shows Ubuntu beginners how to enable searching and installing Flatpak applications from Software Center in Ubuntu 20.04.

Snap, Flatpak, and Appimage make more and more applications install or run easily in Ubuntu and other Linux Desktops. While Appimage is non-install package and Snap has been made into Ubuntu Software out-of-the-box, this quick tip shows how to make Flatpak packages available to search and install in Software.

1.) First open terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When terminal opens, run command to install flatpak plugin:

sudo apt install gnome-software-plugin-flatpak

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) for sudo prompts and hit Enter.

2.) Add the main flathub repository by running command:

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

3.) Finally restart your computer. In Ubuntu 18.04 and Ubuntu 19.10, you should be available to search for and install applications in Flatpak format.

For Ubuntu 20.04, since Ubuntu Software has switched from Gnome Software to Snap Store, you have to launch Gnome Software rather than Ubuntu Software to install applications.

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How to Install Shotwell 0.30.10 in Ubuntu 20.04

Last updated: June 12, 2020

While the default Shotwell photo organizer is old in Ubuntu 20.04, here’s how to install the latest stable 0.30.10 via PPA repository.

Changes from the pre-installed Shotwell 0.30.8 to Shotwell 0.30.10 include:

  • Modify web publishing authentication to comply with Google’s requirements
  • Fix YouTube OAuth scope
  • New and updated translations.

For those who want to upgrade to the latest stable Shotwell 0.30.10, the unofficial PPA has made the package for Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.

1.) Open terminal either by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard, or by searching for ‘terminal’ from ‘Show Applications’ menu. When terminal opens, run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:sicklylife/shotwell

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) for sudo prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2.) Then either upgrade Shotwell via Software Updater (Update Manager).

Or run command to install the new photo organizer package:

sudo apt install shotwell

(Optional) For any issue, you can purge the PPA to revert back the stock Shotwell 0.30.8 by running command:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:sicklylife/shotwell
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Mixxx 2.3 Beta Released! How to Install in Ubuntu 20.04

Last updated: June 9, 2020

Free DJ mixing software Mixxx 2.3 beta was released. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.10, Ubuntu 20.04.

See what’s new in this beta for next major Mixxx 2.3 series:

  • Hotcue colors and custom labels
  • Serato, Rekordbox metadata import.
  • Intro/Outro cues and silence detection
  • Add deck cloning (also known as “instant doubles”) by dragging and dropping between decks
  • Revamped LateNight skin
  • Multi-threaded analysis
  • Add FFmpeg audio decoder, bringing support for ALAC
  • And many other changes!

How to Install Mixxx 2.3 Beta in Ubuntu:

1.) Open terminal from system application menu. When it opens, run command to add the Beta PPA.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mixxx/mixxxbetas

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

2.) Then either upgrade Mixxx using Software Updater (Update Manager), or run command:

sudo apt install mixxx

Uninstall Mixxx Beta:

You can purge the PPA repository to remove the beta package and back to stable series by running command:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:mixxx/mixxxbetas
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How to Hide Grub Boot Menu in Ubuntu 20.04, 21.10 (Updated)

Last updated: July 17, 2021

This simple tutorial shows how to hide / disable the Grub boot menu while booting Ubuntu.

You can do the job easily via Grub-Customizer (available in Ubuntu Software) under General Settings tab. However, you need to also disable “look for other operating systems” option.

Any time you want to show the Grub menu, press ESC while booting up will NO longer show dual-boot (multi-boot) systems other than Ubuntu.

NOT OK with Grub-Customizer settings? Re-enable “show menu” and “look for other operating systems” options, save changes, and do following steps one by one.

Hide boot menu by manually editing the config file:

In most Linux including Ubuntu, you can edit the /etc/default/grub file along with scripts under /etc/grub.d to control how the Grub boot menu works.

1.) Firstly, open terminal from system app launcher. Run command to edit the configuration file:

sudo -H gedit /etc/default/grub

For Ubuntu flavors / Linux Mint, replace gedit with your favorite text editor.

When the file opens, you need to set following lines:

  • GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE=hidden – Hide the boot menu. Though it still wait a few seconds you set by GRUB_TIMEOUT.
  • GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE=countdown – Hide boot menu and show countdown. Even set GRUB_TIMEOUT=0. It counts 3,2,1.
  • GRUB_TIMEOUT = 0 – It will boot the default OS immediately. However, you may set it to 3 or 5 so you can press ESC (F4 or hold Shift) during the time to show the boot menu if need.
  • GRUB_DISABLE_OS_PROBER=true – Disable “/etc/grub.d/30_os-prober” because it overwrite the value of GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE. However, it will no longer find other OSes other than Ubuntu.
  • GRUB_RECORDFAIL_TIMEOUT=0 – Set timeout if last boot failed. Without the key, it will show and stop at boot menu waiting user action.

2.) Step 1. will do the job after applying changes. However, it will no longer display other operating systems if any in your machine.

In case you want to boot other OS once in a while. Modify 30_os-prober file instead of disable it via “GRUB_DISABLE_OS_PROBER=true”.

To do so, run command:

sudo gedit /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober

And set quick_boot=”0″. So it will no longer overwrite “GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE” value you set in step 1, while also find other OSes on your machine.

3.) Finally apply changes via command:

sudo update-grub

How to restore:

Just undo what you did in step 1 and / or 2 and apply change by running command sudo update-grub.

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How to Change Start Menu Icon in Ubuntu 20.04 LTS

Last updated: June 6, 2020

Want to change the ‘Show Applications’ dot grid icon in the dock panel of Ubuntu 20.04 Gnome Desktop?

The start menu dot grid icon relies on the view-app-grid-symbolic.svg icon. For default Yaru icon theme, it’s located in /usr/share/icons/Yaru/scalable/actions.

To replace the icon, open terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard, then do following steps one by one.

1.) Make a backup of the original icon file:

cd /usr/share/icons/Yaru/scalable/actions/ && sudo cp view-app-grid-symbolic.svg view-app-grid-symbolic.svg.bak

2.) Grab a SVG icon from web. In the case, I downloaded this ubuntu logo svg.

NOTE: it must be a .svg icon file.

3.) Copy (or move) your .svg to replace the start menu icon:

sudo cp /path/to/your/svg /usr/share/icons/Yaru/scalable/actions/view-app-grid-symbolic.svg

In my case the command is:

sudo cp ~/Downloads/ubuntu-icon.svg /usr/share/icons/Yaru/scalable/actions/view-app-grid-symbolic.svg

4.) Finally apply changes by pressing Alt+F2, type r in pup-up ‘Run a command’ box, and hit Enter to restart Gnome.

To restore changes, simply copy back the backup file you did in step 1 by running command:

cd /usr/share/icons/Yaru/scalable/actions/ && sudo cp view-app-grid-symbolic.svg.bak view-app-grid-symbolic.svg

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