The default Ubuntu 20.04 installation uses GDM as a default display manager. Since GDM does not support Guest session in this article you will learn how to switch to and alternative display manager LightDM and enable guest session.
Any data created and settings configured using Guest session are temporary and will be deleted at the end of the session ( log out ).
In this tutorial you will learn:
- How to install LightDM display manager
- How to switch from GDM to LightDM
- How to enable Guest session
- How to login to Guest session
Guest session on Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa Linux
Software Requirements and Conventions Used
| Category | Requirements, Conventions or Software Version Used |
|---|---|
| System | Installed Ubuntu 20.04 or upgraded Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa |
| Software | N/A |
| Other | Privileged access to your Linux system as root or via the sudo command. |
| Conventions |
# – requires given linux commands to be executed with root privileges either directly as a root user or by use of sudo command$ – requires given linux commands to be executed as a regular non-privileged user |
Enable Guest session Ubuntu 20.04 step by step instructions
- First step is to install and switch to LightDM display manager. To do so execute the bellow command:
$ sudo apt install lightdm
Install LightDM display manager
SelectLightDMas a default display manager - Enable Guest session by executing the following command:
sudo sh -c 'printf "[Seat:*]\nallow-guest=true\n" > /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf.d/40-enable-guest.conf'
- Reboot your system:
$ reboot
- Login to Guest session:
Click on user’s menu. Please note that your login screen might be different.
SelectGuest Sessionand log in.