How to Change to Gnome Shell Desktop in Ubuntu 11.10

Tutorial on how to change to the Gnome Shell Desktop Environment with Gnome 3 in Ubuntu 11.10.
I also show how to auto-login to the Gnome Shell session in LightDM.

This is a good alternative if you don't like the Unity Desktop Environment.

Open Terminal
sudo apt-get install gnome-shell
sudo gedit /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf
change user-session to gnome

To revert back change user-session to ubuntu

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Ubuntu
• 11.10
• Switch
• Change
• Gnome
• Shell
• 3.2
• Desktop
• Environment
• Oneiric Ocelot
• Unity
• 2D
• 3D
• LightDM
• Autologin
• Tutorial
• Guide
• Screencast
• Example
• Demo
• How To
• Linux
• Operating System
• Quids
• Quidsup

[chicaboo76]

Hi, I'm a Linux noob. But what is the difference between installing gnome or gnome shell in Ubuntu 11.10?

[quidsup]

@chicaboo76 Gnome Shell was the development name for what is now Gnome 3.

[daokine]

hey, I have a problem with the gnome desktop in 11.10. I installed the gnome shell, but when I log in, the whole desktop is white and distorted, but the funny thing is, as soon as I activate the windows on the corners it returns to normal and all the effects are good but back to the normal desktop again everything is white, like some sort of video card defect. I´m new to LINUX/UBUNTU, should I reinstall the OS? My system is a intel P4 2,6 GHz with a nvidia MX440, 512MB RAM. It runs unity well

[quidsup]

@daokine Im surprised it works at all with 512Mb RAM, that could well be the cause of the blank desktop.

You might want to consider something lighter like Xubuntu or Lubuntu. Or if you want something a fancier theres Bodhi Linux.

I've reviewed all three of those Distros

[daokine]

@quidsup thx for the quick reply. Do you think upgrading the RAM to 1gig will fix it ? And how easy is a dualboot installation (with win 7) of ubuntu to remove? I may try a full installation on my notebook with i5 core 2,4 ghz and 4 gigs of RAM

[quidsup]

@daokine 1Gb would make a huge difference and is quite a cheap upgrade to do now days.

No idea what its like to remove Linux as I went the other way and removed Windows. I think its a lot easier with Windows 7 compared to XP because you need to use the System Recovery tools to reinstall the Windows Boot loader and then you can resize the harddrive in Windows 7 to wipe out the Linux partition.

[NoFreeTechSupport]

"Good News!" and I immediately thought of Professor Farnsworth from Futurama. I kind of think that was intentional :D Thanks for the video! It most certainly made me want to try 11.10 when it drops in a few weeks!

[quidsup]

@TheGeo913 The only thing stopping me from using Debian is not being able to get Unity. Pity cos Debian seems to run better than Ubuntu does. Cheers

[dragonbut55421]

@daokine The Ubuntu Developers have made a program called "Wubi" that will Dual Boot Ubuntu for you, and you can uninstall it from the Windows 7 Control Panel, this is a bit late though, just thought I'd let you know.

[channel3310]

nice tut btw where to get d wallpaper.thx

[rafaj695]

gnome 3 is nice ;D

[afaik8]

@quidsup Gnome 3 comes in default with Gnome Shell, that is a layer like Unity. Gnome 3 runs under both Gnome Shell and Unity.

[00110101guy]

Can anyone help me? When I boot up ubuntu 11.10 it goes straight into shell. It doesnt log in or show a desktop; not even the run or install screen.

Thanks

[o0SallyM0o]

Firstly, thank you far all of your wonderful Ubuntu videos. I'm enjoying working through them. This Gnome shell however...I have supposedly changed following your instructions and not aware of any problems. Unfortunately I cant see any difference between "Ubuntu" and "Gnome shell". None whatsoever. Rebooted expecting change but nothing? What am I missing?

[chicaboo76]

@quidsup Thanks for the explanation. I looked up a good article that went through all the popular desktops, and I decided I liked the simplicity and speed of XFCE compared to gnome 3/shell/classic, so I'm testing Xubuntu right now, and so far I'm really liking it. =]