How to install minimal Gnome on Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa Linux

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In this artcile you will learn how to install a minimal Gnome Desktop environment on Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa Linux.

{loadposition ubuntu-20-04-download}

In this tutorial you will learn:

  • How to install vanilla GNOME
  • How to minimal Ubuntu GNOME desktop

Minimal Gnome Shell installation on Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa Linux

Minimal Gnome Shell installation on Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa Linux

Software Requirements and Conventions Used

Software Requirements and Linux Command Line Conventions
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

How to install minimal Gnome on Ubuntu 20.04 step by step instructions

Install Vanilla GNOME

The vanilla GNOME desktop is a pure Gnome shell with minimal installed packages and functionality. It is ideal for servers with minimal GUI applications requirement.

  1. To install Vanilla GNOME shell desktop execute the following command from your terminal: 
    $ sudo apt install gnome-session gnome-terminal
  2. Reboot your system: 
    $ sudo reboot
    Vanilla GNOME installation

    Vanilla GNOME installation

Install Gnome Minimal Desktop

The second option is to install Ubuntu Gnome Minimal Desktop which is not as slim as the minimal gnome-shell installation, however, contains slightly less software packages then a regular full Ubuntu desktop.

  1. To install minimal Gnome desktop first ensure that tasksel is installed on your system: 
    $ sudo apt install tasksel
  2. Use tasksel to install the following package group: 
    $ sudo tasksel install ubuntu-desktop-minimal
  3. Reboot your system: 
    $ sudo reboot

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