New to Ubuntu? Start With These 15 Pro Tips Before You Do Anything Else
New to Ubuntu? Start With These 15 Pro Tips Before You Do Anything Else
Publish Date: 2026-05-07 09:28:00
Source Domain: www.pcmag.com
The default Ubuntu installation packages the sleek, minimal Gnome desktop with Firefox and a handful of basic tools, and then leaves the rest to you. That freedom (and Linux in general) might seem intimidating, but I’m here to help. Whether you’re completely new to Linux or moving over from another distro, you can do a lot to customize the OS to your needs and activate powerful hidden features—all without using terminal commands.
1. Activate Dark Mode
Ubuntu has a slick dark mode. You can toggle it by clicking the icons on the panel at the top-right corner of the Ubuntu desktop and selecting “Dark Style.”
Ubuntu’s dark mode is just two clicks away from the desktop (Credit: Canonical/PCMag)
2. Theme the Desktop
Ubuntu uses a distinct orange theme by default, but that’s just one option. You can select different accent colors from the Appearance page in the Settings window. Simply click the icons in the top-right corner of the Ubuntu desktop, then the gear icon. You can also launch the Settings application to access these options via the Show Apps button in the bottom-left corner of the desktop.
Ubuntu’s desktop accent color affects folder icons, too (Credit: Canonical/PCMag)
3. Configure Display Options
Visit the Display page in Ubuntu’s Settings app to tweak display options to your liking. For example, Ubuntu defaults to 60Hz, but your PC’s display might support a higher refresh rate for a smoother picture. I recommend increasing your display’s refresh rate to the maximum available setting.
You can also adjust display scaling here. If text and other elements seem too small, increase the Scale percentage to enlarge them.
Ubuntu’s display options also have a Night Light feature to reduce blue light at night (Credit: Canonical/PCMag)
4. Integrate Your Online Accounts
Ubuntu’s Gnome desktop supports Google, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Exchange, and Nextcloud accounts. It can also access email servers with the IMAP or SMTP…
