Is there a command to factory reset Ubuntu?

Question

I have a black screen on my PC, and I've somehow got in the terminal the terminal is all black and I can only do commands.

Is there a command to factory reset your PC through the terminal?

Looks like you are encountering the xy problem: https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/66377/what-is-the-xy-problem Isn't your main problem the black screen? If yes then you should ask about how to fix the black screen, because you might find very simple (maybe just 1 command) answers. — Tooniis, Aug 14 '17 at 07:40
This blog talks about a software which can reset Ubuntu to factory default I have not tried, but definitely worth a peek http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2017/03/reset-ubuntu-desktop-default-settings — user227495, Mar 31 '17 at 19:46

score 68 · Accepted Answer · edited Mar 24 '22 at 21:14

68

Follow these steps:

Try configuring unconfigured packages:
```
sudo dpkg --configure -a
```
Update the contents of the repositories
```
sudo apt-get update
```
Try to fix missing dependencies:
```
sudo apt-get -f install
```
Update all packages with new versions available:
```
sudo apt-get full-upgrade
```

Reinstall Ubuntu desktop:

sudo apt-get install --reinstall ubuntu-desktop

Remove unnecessary packages:
```
sudo apt-get autoremove
```
Delete downloaded packages already installed:
```
sudo apt-get clean
```
Reboot the system to see if the issue was resolved:
```
sudo reboot
```

edited Mar 24 '22 at 21:14

BeastOfCaerbannog

14,585

answered Dec 11 '16 at 14:37

kyodake

15,401

5

everyone is saying that there is no way to reset. then what does these commands do? – Jul 30 '17 at 15:09
1

@WaseemAhmadNaeem: Restore system and graphical environment to initial configuration (factory reset PC thru the terminal) – kyodake Jul 31 '17 at 00:43
why use exec sudo -i, just sudo -i enough @kyodake – solfish Aug 14 '17 at 08:14
@solfish: exec replace the shell with the program executed, not as new process. – kyodake Aug 14 '17 at 23:29
+1 works if < dconf reset -f / > gives : "Error: Cannot autolaunch D-Bus without X11 $DISPLAY with error : " – An0n Mar 04 '18 at 23:39
does this work well with aws boxes ? – Devflovv May 25 '21 at 16:35
None of them work: The following packages have unmet dependencies: – tribbloid Jan 09 '23 at 09:06

score 19 · Answer 2 · edited Mar 31 '17 at 18:53

19

There is no such thing as factory reset in ubuntu. You have to run a live disk/usb drive of any linux distro and backup your data and then reinstall ubuntu.

edited Mar 31 '17 at 18:53

anonymous2

4,298

answered Mar 31 '17 at 17:42

kuntam robo

307

8

Finally, a direct and honest CLEAR answer: NO. Period. – alejandrob Feb 18 '20 at 21:40
2

Yes, I can confirm this only re-installing from bootable USB stick worked as the above verified answer didn't work for me. – Shaze Oct 28 '20 at 10:09

score 15 · Answer 3 · edited Jan 15 '18 at 13:33

You can use :

dconf reset -f /

Running this command will reset, among other things: the apps pinned to the Unity launcher or Ubuntu Dock ; panel applets and/or indicators; monitor resolution and interface scaling; keyboard shortcuts; fonts, GTK and icon theme; window button placement, launcher behaviour; and so on.

This command will also reset any application that uses dconf to store its settings. This includes core desktop apps like Rhythmbox, Evince, Shotwell and Nautilus.

This latter point is important to keep in mind as this command may reset library settings, delete accounts, disable plugins, and/or require you to re-authenticate with online services.

On the flip it means this command is the perfect one to run when you want to reset GNOME 3 settings.

doesn't work, won't affect packages – tribbloid Jan 09 '23 at 09:08 — tribbloid, Jan 09 '23 at 09:08

Is there a command to factory reset Ubuntu?

3 Answers3

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