Ubuntu Linux Desktop: Beginner’s Guide to Desktop Essentials

Name: Ubuntu Linux Desktop: Beginner’s Guide to Desktop Essentials
Rating: 4.0 (386 reviews)

Learn How to install Ubuntu on a virtual machine or directly on your computer and start performing common tasks

Created byZulqarnain Hayat

Last updated 10/2025

English

What you'll learn

Learning Ubuntu Linux Server Basics and Learn how to install Ubuntu on a virtual machine or directly on your computer and start performing common tasks: working with files, listening to music, editing photos, backing up your data, and sharing files with other users

Course content

6 sections • 27 lectures • 2h 29m total length

Introduction1:32
Explore Ubuntu Linux desktop basics with a friendly introduction, get started with installation options, navigate the desktop environment, explore bundled software, complete common tasks, and preview advanced features.
What you should Know?2:25
Familiarize yourself with Mac OS or Windows desktops and prepare a 2 gigabyte flash drive for activities; the course uses Linux in a virtual machine for easy installation demonstrations.

Basic Ubuntu2:21
Installing Ubuntu on virtual box12:03
Install Ubuntu using VirtualBox to test without altering your system. Create a VM, allocate RAM, set a dynamic 100 GB disk, mount the virtual optical disk, and install Ubuntu.
Creating Installer on windows2:16
Create a bootable Ubuntu installer on Windows with Rufus by downloading the tool, selecting a usb drive, and writing the Ubuntu ISO image.
Installing Ubuntu directly on a Computer6:06

Exploring the GNOME shell5:38
Master the GNOME shell in Ubuntu, using the top bar and activities overview to switch windows, manage virtual desktops, search apps, and pin favorites for quick access.
Hardware and System Setting8:54
Explore how to navigate the Ubuntu Linux desktop system settings, configure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, change the background and dock options, and adjust notifications, language, accessibility, privacy, and hardware devices.

Connecting to an Ethernet network4:54
Connecting to Wi-Fi
Learn how to connect to Wi-Fi on Ubuntu Linux by selecting a network and entering its password. Note that Wi-Fi support has improved, but verify your adapter's Linux compatibility.
Browsing the Web2:22
Learn to browse with the preinstalled Fox web browser: use the address bar and search bar to visit sites, bookmark pages, and customize the home page and download folder.
Working with files and folders7:45
Using files on external storage devices1:46
Plug in a USB drive or external storage, view it in the desktop and files app, copy files from your home folder, and eject safely for transfer to another computer.
Adding new software4:18
Explore the software center to find, install, launch, update, and remove apps by category, search, and sorting, with deb downloads and authentication.
Updating software3:43
update your ubuntu desktop with the software updates app to install security patches and improvements. review update sources (repos) and choose whether to install automatically or manually, with driver cautions.
Working with documents and spreadsheet8:35
Explore LibreOffice Writer, Impress, and Calc to create documents, presentations, and spreadsheets. Open and save documents, use templates, run slide animations, and work with a plain text editor.
Listening to audio2:00

Backing up data4:14
Learn how to back up data on Ubuntu Linux Desktop Basics by selecting storage locations such as external drives, scheduling daily backups, protecting with a password, and restoring files.
Adding another user3:38
Adding another user in Ubuntu Linux creates a separate space with its own home folder and desktop; set a non-admin account, password, and optional photo.
Sharing file with others3:34
Explore how Linux file permissions control access in a multi-user system by setting owner, group, and others read, write, and execute rights for files and folders.
Accessing shared files on the network2:00
Learn to access network shared files from Ubuntu by connecting to a Windows server via SMB, using IP or host name, and managing login credentials to browse and transfer files.
Find out what the system is doing?2:52
Explore what the Ubuntu desktop is doing by using the system monitor to view running processes, resource usage, and logs, and learn how the filesystem and past activity help troubleshoot.

Using the Terminal4:58
Learn to use the Ubuntu terminal and command line interface, navigate directories, run sudo for admin tasks, check for updates and upgrade packages, and access command manuals with man.
Linux folder Structure2:32
Explore the Linux folder structure by opening the root of the file system and your hard drive, then locate your home folder under /home with your username and mounted media.
Dual Boot Ubuntu and windows 10 demo10:49
Linux very useful commands demo14:55
Explore Ubuntu Linux desktop basics through a demo of very useful Linux commands and practical tips for everyday tasks.
How to install moodle on ubuntu 18 step by step demo23:08
Follow a step-by-step demo to install Moodle on ubuntu 18, exploring practical setup on ubuntu 18 desktop and ensuring a functional Moodle environment.

Requirements

Basic knowledge of windows,MacOS and Virtual box environment , Flash Drive at 4 GB

Description

Welcome! In this course, you will learn how to install and navigate Ubuntu Desktop 18.04, one of the most user-friendly Linux distributions available today. Designed for personal computers and laptops, Ubuntu Desktop provides a modern and intuitive interface along with a wide range of applications suitable for everyday tasks.

You’ll begin by learning how to install Ubuntu on a virtual machine or directly on your computer. Once installed, you’ll explore the GNOME desktop environment, connect to the internet, work with files and folders, browse the web, and use pre-installed applications like LibreOffice, media players, and image editors. You’ll also learn how to create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and back up and share your data securely.

For users who want to go further, this course introduces the Linux terminal, providing you with essential command-line skills that can boost your productivity and prepare you for more advanced Linux administration tasks.

Hands-on demo labs include:

Dual boot setup: Ubuntu and Windows 10
Essential Ubuntu 18 commands and practical demonstrations

By the end of this course, you’ll be confident navigating Ubuntu Desktop, managing files, using applications efficiently, and understanding the security and customization options available. Whether you’re switching from Windows or Mac, or preparing for a Linux-based work environment, this course will give you the skills to get up and running with Ubuntu Desktop quickly and efficiently.

Who this course is for:

windows ,Mac Users who know basic Linux GNOME desktop and wanted to switch windows to Linux desktop

Ubuntu Linux Desktop: Beginner’s Guide to Desktop Essentials

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction2 lectures • 4min

Basic with UBUNTU4 lectures • 23min

Understanding of GNOME With Ubuntu2 lectures • 15min

Common Tasks and Actions9 lectures • 35min

Managing Linux Comuputer5 lectures • 16min

Ubuntu Advance5 lectures • 56min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: