In the world of Ubuntu, the terminal is a powerful tool that provides a deeper level of access and control over the system. One such function is the ability to run System Settings directly from the terminal. This article will guide you through the process, explaining the commands and parameters used.
To run System Settings from the terminal in Ubuntu, you can use the command "gnome-control-center" for GNOME desktop, "unity-control-center" for Unity desktop (versions 14.04-17.04), "mate-control-center" for Ubuntu Mate, "sudo gnome-control-center" for Crouton, "systemsettings5" for KDE NEON 5.16.4, and "cinnamon-settings" for Cinnamon desktop.
Understanding the Terminal
The terminal, also known as the command line, is a text-based interface that allows users to interact with the system. It accepts commands in a specific syntax and executes them. The terminal is an essential tool for system administrators and developers, as it provides a high level of control over the system.
Running System Settings from Terminal
Depending on the desktop environment you are using, the command to open System Settings from the terminal will vary. Here are the commands for different environments:
GNOME Desktop
GNOME is the default desktop environment for Ubuntu. To run System Settings, use the following command:
gnome-control-centerIf you are using a version between 14.04 and 17.04 with Unity instead of GNOME, the command is:
unity-control-centerIf you encounter the “command not found” error, it means the gnome-control-center package is not installed on your system. You can install it using the following command:
sudo apt install gnome-control-centerIn this command, sudo gives you superuser privileges, apt is the package handling utility in Ubuntu, and install is the command to download and install a package.
Ubuntu Mate
If you are using Ubuntu Mate, the command to run System Settings is:
mate-control-centerCrouton
If you are using Crouton, you need to run System Settings and other applications that require a password from the terminal using sudo. For System Settings, use the command:
sudo gnome-control-centerPlease note that running GUI applications with sudo is generally not recommended, as it can cause ownership issues with config files. However, in some cases, like configuring printer settings, running as root may be necessary.
KDE NEON 5.16.4
In KDE NEON 5.16.4 (Ubuntu 18.04), you can start System Settings in three ways:
- Select “Settings → System Settings” from the Application Menu.
- Press
Alt+F2orAlt+Spaceto bring up the KRunner dialog, typesystemsettings5, and pressEnter. - Type
systemsettings5 &at any command prompt.
Cinnamon Desktop
If you are using the Cinnamon desktop, you can run System Settings with the command:
cinnamon-settingsTroubleshooting
Running System Settings from the command line may encounter errors due to missing environmental variables. In such cases, you can try running the command with sudo -i or check for any setup issues or bugs specific to your system.
Conclusion
The terminal in Ubuntu is a versatile tool that can simplify many tasks. Running System Settings from the terminal is just one example of its capabilities. By understanding the different commands and how to use them, you can gain greater control over your system and streamline your workflow.
For more in-depth information about using the terminal in Ubuntu, you can refer to the Ubuntu terminal documentation.
The terminal, also known as the command line, is a text-based interface that allows users to interact with the system by executing commands.
The command to open System Settings from the terminal depends on the desktop environment you are using. For GNOME, you can use the command gnome-control-center. For Unity (versions 14.04 to 17.04), use unity-control-center. For Ubuntu Mate, use mate-control-center. For Crouton, use sudo gnome-control-center. For KDE NEON 5.16.4, you have multiple options mentioned in the article. For Cinnamon, use cinnamon-settings.
If you encounter a "command not found" error, it means that the required package is not installed on your system. You can install it using the command sudo apt install gnome-control-center (replace gnome-control-center with the appropriate package name for your desktop environment, if different).
Running GUI applications with sudo is generally not recommended, as it can cause ownership issues with config files. However, in some cases, like configuring printer settings, running as root may be necessary.
If you encounter errors when running System Settings from the command line, you can try running the command with sudo -i or check for any setup issues or bugs specific to your system.
