10 Things to Do After You Install Ubuntu Linux

James Scott Programming

A fresh Ubuntu install is only the beginning. These ten steps help you secure the system, install everyday software, and avoid common pitfalls new Linux users hit on day one.

  1. Update everything — Run sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade or use Software Updater.
  2. Enable Restricted Extras — Install media codecs for MP3, DVD, and common video formats.
  3. Install proprietary drivers — Open Additional Drivers for NVIDIA/AMD or Broadcom Wi‑Fi if hardware is not fully functional.
  4. Configure firewall — Enable UFW with sudo ufw enable for basic inbound protection.
  5. Set up backups — Use Déjà Dup or rsync to external drives; test restore once.
  6. Install browser & sync — Add Firefox or Chrome, sign in, and import bookmarks.
  7. Add development tools — build-essential, Git, and your preferred editor (VS Code, Vim, etc.).
  8. Adjust power & display — Set screen lock, suspend behavior, and night light for laptops.
  9. Create a swap or zram plan — Ensure adequate memory management on low-RAM machines.
  10. Learn basic terminal commands — ls, cd, chmod, and systemctl will save time troubleshooting.

Completing this list takes under an hour and leaves you with a stable daily-driver system. Revisit it after each LTS upgrade to keep habits consistent.