A step-by-step and easy-to-follow tutorial with screenshots

Oct 11, 2013 20:20 GMT  ·  By

The following tutorial will teach all Ubuntu users how to "unofficially" install or update their systems to the recently released Cinnamon 2.0 desktop environment.

Cinnamon 2.0 brings features such as better edge-tiling, edge-snapping, better user management, sound effects, better MIME handling for the Nemo file manager, window manager improvements, system tray support for file operations, better compatibility and portability, better integration, and much more.

The Cinnamon 2.0 desktop environment will be officially introduced as part of the upcoming Linux Mint 16 (Petra) operating system, due for release at the end of November 2013.

Cinnamon 2.0 can be installed in the following Ubuntu operating systems: Ubuntu 13.10 (Saucy Salamander), Ubuntu 13.04 (Raring Ringtail), Ubuntu 12.10 (Quantal Quetzal) and Ubuntu 12.04 LTS (Precise Pangolin).

Installing the Cinnamon 2.0 repository

No matter what Ubuntu operating system (see above supported OSes) you are running, open a terminal using the CTRL+ALT+T keyboard combination or using the Unity Dash, and paste the following command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gwendal-lebihan-dev/cinnamon-stable

Hit the Enter key, type your password when asked and hit the Enter key. Hit Enter again when asked if you want to add the software repository. Don't close the terminal window and proceed to the next step.

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  Install Cinnamon 2.0 on Ubuntu Linux

Now paste the following command in the same terminal window:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y cinnamon

A lot of packages will be downloaded and installed if this is the first time you install the Cinnamon desktop environment, so wait patiently. Wait for the installation to finish and close the terminal window.

That's it! The brand-new Cinnamon 2.0 desktop environment is now fully installed in your Ubuntu machine, just log out and select if from the login manager.

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In time, your Cinnamon installation will automatically upgrade to newer versions, so make sure you update your system regularly. Do not hesitate to comment below if you run into problems during this tutorial.