Section: How To

Discover a mix of tutorials on everything from how to install the latest versions of apps or enable new features, to workarounds for known issues – alongside general ‘configuring Ubuntu’ advice.

Get a Classic Desktop in Ubuntu 14.04 with GNOME Flashback Session

Migrating from Ubuntu 12.04 LTS to Ubuntu 14.04 LTS brings a number of great benefits, but sometimes all you need is a familiar face. Here's how to get a two panel GNOME desktop in Ubuntu 14.04.

28 April 2014
change folder icon color in nautilus

Easily Change Color of Folder Icons in Ubuntu With This Tool

If you ever fancy retooling your home folder to look like a rainbow, Folder Color lets you change colors ad-hoc with a right-click menu.

25 April 2014
Pangolin and Trusty Tahr Mascots

How to Upgrade Ubuntu 12.04 LTS to Ubuntu 14.04 LTS

Running Ubuntu 12.04 LTS and wondering how to upgrade to Ubuntu 14.04 LTS? Don't worry, we're here to walk you through it.

17 April 2014
virtualbox in ubuntu unity dash

Install USB drivers for VirtualBox on Ubuntu

Experiencing vague Code 10 errors in your VirtualBox Windows 7 guests on Ubuntu hosts? Don't panic; here's how to fix it up for good.

6 April 2014

iPad ‘Not Charging’ from USB on Ubuntu? Here’s How to Fix It

Following on from an earlier article helping you mount an iOS 7-toting iPad, iPhone or iPod on Ubuntu, we’re back with a proto-fix for another Apple issue affecting Linux users: intermittent USB charging.

5 April 2014

How To Add Shutdown, Restart Options to Ubuntu’s Unity Dash

Without turning to Google, do you know the terminal command needed to log out of Unity? If not, Power Commands brings a slew of session commands to the Dash.

6 March 2014

How to Enable ‘Minimise On Click’ in Unity 7 on Ubuntu 14.04

A third-party PPA offers Ubuntu users the chance to install a version of the Unity desktop that includes a long-requested launcher feature — 'minimise on click'.

5 March 2014
blue yeti microphone ubuntu

Use Sound Switcher to Quickly Switch Audio Inputs/Outputs in Ubuntu

Sound Switcher lets you switch between audio input and output devices straight from the system tray - no need for Ubuntu System Settings.

16 February 2014
image of google now

How To Enable Google Now in Chrome on Linux

Google Now fan? Here's how to enable the feature in the latest developer builds of Chrome for Linux.

4 February 2014

‘Skype Integration’ GNOME Shell Extension Puts Key Features Within Easy Reach

Ever wish you could manage your Skype activities in GNOME Shell without needing to have the app font and centre all the time?

4 February 2014

Make Firefox Use Native Linux Notifications in Unity, XFCE And GNOME Shell

Want to make Firefox use Ubuntu system notifications instead of its own pop-up bubbles? This free Firefox add-on offers exactly that.

3 February 2014
disable unity amazon results

Remove Product Suggestions from Unity Dash in Ubuntu 13.10 and 14.04

Whether you find Unity's shopping suggestions to be a subtle invasion of privacy, or a solution in need of a problem, Ubuntu make it easy to disable results you don't want to see.

17 January 2014

How To Dual Boot Android and Ubuntu Touch on Nexus Handsets

Trying Ubuntu Touch on your smartphone or tablet was made much easier recently, with the launch of a new dual-boot mode that enables Canonical's mobile OS to be installed alongside Android.

9 January 2014

How to Install GNOME 3.10 in Ubuntu 13.10

Don't want to use a stale version of GNOME Shell in Ubuntu 13.10? It's easy to upgrade to the latest release, and in this post we'll show you how.

6 December 2013
Computer battery graphic

How To Check The Health of Your Laptop Battery in Ubuntu

They say that all good things come to an end, and the lifespan of a laptop battery is not exempt.

5 December 2013
blue yeti microphone ubuntu

[How To] Turn Headphone Jack to a Microphone Jack in Ubuntu

Several years back developer David Henningsson created a small app that ttys to turns a regular ol' laptop headphone jack into a microphone input jack - and in this post we show you how to use it.

2 December 2013

Get Amazon Prime, 4oD and Other DRM-Protected Flash Working in Ubuntu 13.10

Getting Amazon Prome, 4OD, Demand 5, or Google Play Movies to work on Ubuntu 13.10 requires a little bit of effort, but it can be done.

25 October 2013

How To Enable Predictive Text On Ubuntu Touch 1.0

Using Ubuntu for Phones 1.0? Here's how to turn on predictive text in the stock keyboard.

24 October 2013