Reset GNOME Desktop Settings to Factory Default on Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa

In this tutorial you will learn how to reset your GNOME Desktop Settings to Factory Default on Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa. The reset will put your desktop appearance and all settings, shortcuts, wallpapers and etc. to the factory default.

In this tutorial you will learn:

  • How to Reset GNOME Desktop Settings to Factory Default

Reset GNOME Desktop Settings to Factory Default on Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa

Reset GNOME Desktop Settings to Factory Default on Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa

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

Reset GNOME Desktop Settings to Factory Default Ubuntu 20.04 step by step instructions



  1. Open the terminal window by right clicking on your desktop and selecting the Open Terminal menu.
  2. WARNING
    By resetting your GNOME desktop settings you will remove all current desktop configurations whether it be wallpapers, icon, shortcuts etc.

    To reset the GNOME settings to factory defaults execute the below command as a regular user:

    $ dconf reset -f /org/gnome/
    

    All done. Your GNOME desktop should now be reset.

Troubleshooting

In case you receive the following error message:

(dconf:3618): dconf-CRITICAL **: 08:25:26.282: unable to create directory '/run/user/0/dconf': Permission denied.  dconf will not work properly.
error: Could not connect: Permission denied

Make sure to run the GNOME reset command directly on your desktop via terminal. Execution of the reset dconf command remotely via ssh will result in the above error message.