How to install Cinnamon desktop on Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver Linux

Objective

This article will explain how to install Cinnamon desktop on Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver. Use this guide if you wish to change your default GNOME desktop to Cinnamon environment. See also our article: The 8 Best Ubuntu Desktop Environments (18.04 Bionic Beaver Linux) for more desktop environment choices.

Alternatively, follow our guide on how to install GUI on Ubuntu server 18.04 Bionic Beaver.

Operating System and Software Versions

• Operating System: – Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver Linux

Requirements

Privileged access to your Ubuntu System as root or via sudo command is required.

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

Other Versions of this Tutorial

Ubuntu 20.04 (Focal Fossa)

Instructions

Install Cinnamon desktop on Ubuntu 18.04

To begin Cinnamon desktop installation on Ubuntu 18.04 open up terminal and execute the bellow command:

$ sudo add-apt-repository universe
$ sudo apt install cinnamon-desktop-environment lightdm

Execute the above apt command to begin Cinnamon Desktop installation on Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver.

Review the list of packages if necessary. Continue by entering y key.

We are installing the second display manager, namely lightdm. Hit OK button.

Select lightdm
as your default desktop manager. Hit OK.

Reboot your system.

On the login screen click on the icon right from your username. Select Cinnamon and return back to the login screen. Enter your user credentials to login to Cinnamon Desktop.

Cinnamon graphical user interface on Ubuntu 18.04

Cinnamon Desktop Settings on Ubuntu 18.04