Do you have an installation checklist?

Installing Zorin OS
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Here's mine:

*Chrome (deb file)
*Tweaks
*Extension Manager
*Pinta
*Deluge
*Input Remapper (deb file)
*Timeshift
*Plex server
*Blur My Shell extension
*Panel Scroll extension
*Desktop Clock extension
*Weather O'Clock extension
*Gnome Clipboard extension
*Shutdown Timer extension
*Enlarge fonts in Tweaks to 1.12
*Change desktop icons to small
*Swap Caps Lock and Esc in Tweaks
*Move Super key to Win-R in Tweaks
*Swap Ctrl-R and Win-R in Tweaks (If no Win-R key)
*Turn off Attach Modal Dialogues in Tweaks
*Center new windows in Tweaks
*Focus on hover in Tweaks
*Enlarge Cursor to medium
*Change Trash icon
*Install nautilus-admin (terminal)
*Install Fastfetch (terminal)
*Turn on Sound Keys
*Turn off auto screen lock
*Turn off auto login
*Turn on windows tiling, turn off all effects
*Open firewall ports for Zorin Connect and Plex
*Set clock to AM/PM and add day of week
*Reload my wallpapers from Google Drive
*Make Chrome website shortcuts
*Rearrange Taskbar

Comes out like this:

Screenshot from 2025-05-02 20-02-35
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Dr Steve Brule Yes GIF

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Mine:

*Swap primary mouse buttons
*Make sure clock is in 24-hour format
*Disable showing icons on desktop

Rock n roll!

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Backups are important for me, so in addition to Timeshift, Vorta is one of the first things I'll add to any new install.

Also Syncthing, which isn't technically for backups, but having an exact copy of my files on another computer is like a kind of backup, so it gives me more peace of mind.

I should probably make a more detailed list like the way you have it.

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I more or less install the same stuff similarly but I don't have an explicit list... just one of those things that I keep postponing endlessly :joy:

The closest thing that I have, which is actually very effective, is an Ansible playbook to automate a lot of the usual packages that I install. The "roles" that I have listed here are a pretty good summary of what I like to install:

It's a little overdue for some updating and I'm planning on making work on various distributions at some point (at least the ones that I care about the most).

For specific application configurations I have a separate dotfiles repository that I can just download and apply. Not very robust yet as I'm still experimenting with my sort of "ideal" setup, but get's me 90% of the way there:

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Hi and welcome!
Timeshift isn't really backup software, it's 'system snapshot' software for system restoration before things went AWOL (if needed). My preference for backups will always be Rescuezilla.

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I don't make a list as such, I just try to remember what has to be done when it comes to my personal preferences which we all have.

If I were using Zorin as my daily driver:

Installation (Something else option):
A. Create a 512 Mb FAT32 for /boot/efi (flagged as bootable)
B. Create an 80 Gb Ext4 partition for root ('/') file system, Primary
C. Create an extended partition with 16 Gb swap area at the end of it
D. Create in the space in front of swap area '/home' Ext4 Primary
Ensure GRUB is on sda.
E. Create Administrator account first, then post install add yourself as a 'Standard' User after you have installed all applications.
Ensure using 17.1 or 17.2 with Firefox to remove it and get replaced with AppImage of Zen Browser (post install) Zen Browser.

Post install:
A. (Disable Wayland: How to disable Wayland)

B. Turn on GUFW (slide switch next to Status: from left to right to turn on):

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  1. Start Software Updater, stop it, go to Settings, go to first tab of settings and change sources to 'Main Server'.
  2. Remove Software (gnome-software);
sudo apt-get remove gnome-software

  1. Remove Flatpak and snapd completely from the system:
    [HOW TO] Remove snapd and flatpak ... should you wish to

  2. Use the terminal to install Synaptic Package Manager:

sudo apt install synaptic

  1. Use Synaptic Package Manager to install:
    Audacious
    All ALSA packages (except OSS and JACK)
    Audio packages for Soundblaster:

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    calibre (e-book generation)
    Chromium Browser
    Chkrootkit (check for rootkits)
    Clam-tk (Anti-Virus for scanning emails)
    Gdebi
    Gimp
    GParted
    GtkHash
    Htop
    Inkscape
    K3b
    KDE Connect (remove Zorin Connect)
    KDEnlive
    LIOS (Linux Intelligent OCR Solution)
    Okular
    pdfArranger
    pdftk
    QasConfig
    QasHctl
    QasMixer
    rkhunter (rootkit hunter)
    Simple Screen Recorder
    SMPlayer
    Spectacle (kde-spectacle)
    Skanlite
    Virtual Machine Manager (virt-manager)

  2. Create a sound.blacklist.conf file to ensure my SoundBlaster pumps out to my surround system [HOW TO] Get a SoundBlaster Audigy Rx to work in your system! (as well as audacious settings [HOW TO] Get a SoundBlaster Audigy Rx to work in your system! - #6 by swarfendor437).

  3. Install Stacer: Stacer - Linux System Optimizer & Monitoring

  4. Install neofetch in preference to fastfetch - why? fastfetch displays your IP address (but I guess someone will tell me there is a way around this! - not interested!)

  5. Install Timeshift: GitHub - linuxmint/timeshift: System restore tool for Linux. Creates filesystem snapshots using rsync+hardlinks, or BTRFS snapshots. Supports scheduled snapshots, multiple backup levels, and exclude filters. Snapshots can be restored while system is running or from Live CD/USB.

  6. Install my copy of SoftMaker Office Professional 2024: Shop | SoftMaker Office 2024

  7. Install my copy of VueScan Pro Software for scanning: VueScan Scanner Software for macOS, Windows, and Linux

  8. Install my copy of pdfStudio Pro 2024: PDF Studio - PDF Editor Software for Mac, Windows and Linux

  9. Install Tweaks:

sudo apt install gnome-tweaks

Use Accessibility function in Settings to make mouse pointer the size I want it to be.

Install printer (Zorin has listened to my comments made on the forum about 'printer-driver-all' so no need to install it via Synaptic, just need to prevent autodiscovery of printers before installation:

sudo systemctl stop cups-browsed

Followed by:

sudo systemctl disable cups-browsed

Followed by:

sudo system-config-printer

Thereby bypassing the need to go to manufacturer's websites to download their specific drivers.

Almost forgot:

sudo apt install alien

If there was an app only in .rpm format, using alien converts it to .deb. (If I was running an .rpm based distro like SuSE Linux and wanted to install a .deb package, I would install 'worm').

Now run Rescuezilla to create an image to external hard drive - job done!

E&OE! :smiling_face_with_sunglasses:

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Are there any benefits in using extended partitions with GPT? I thought this was only useful to get around the limitation of 4 primary partitions with the older MBR.

dogmeme
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Force of habit! :grin:

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For what it's worth, this is my "checklist" ...

(Copied and pasted from my notes for installation.)

**** Zorin OS 17 Installation Notes ****

(Note # 1: Only .DEB files should be used; no Flatpaks ... )

(Note # 2: Select the "minimal" option for installation of Zorin.)

  1. Fully update the system before doing anything else. Reboot the PC when done.

  2. Install the .DEB file for GDebi Package Manager (can do this via Software center).

  3. Install the following applications (either via GDebi with .DEB files or via Software):

  • Extension Manager (and the Espresso extension), GIMP (and MyPaint brushes), VLC ...
  • OBS Studio, Transmission, MyPaint, Gnome Subtitles, GThumb, Handbrake, Kdenlive, Okular ...
  • Pencil2D, Timeshift, Thunderbird, Inkscape, Blender, and PhotoFlare ...

For OBS Studio in particular, do the following to make the mouse cursor icon the same as in Zorin:

  • Go to the terminal and type in "sudo nautilus" (this will open the terminal with superuser rights) ...
  • Navigate to the "/usr/share/applications" folder, then look for "com.obsproject.Studio.desktop" ...
  • Open the .desktop file, and look for the "exec" line; type in "env QT_QPA_PLATFORM=xcb obs" ...
  • When done, the entire line should read as follows: "Exec=env QT_QPA_PLATFORM=xcb obs" ...
  • Save the file and quit the text editor; start OBS Studio to ensure the edit worked ...

Also, for Kdenlive, if the .DEB file is used, "autoremove" may remove Kdenlive. To stop this:

  • Go to the terminal and type in "sudo apt-mark manual kdenlive" ...
  • If it is necessary to undo this, type in "sudo apt-mark auto kdenlive" ...

(The automatic removal of Kdenlive is not observed when it is installed via Software.)

For the following applications, install them via GDebi only:

  • Chrome, SoftMaker Office, Preload, Vivaldi, Xournal++, Google Earth, and Zoom Workplace ...

(Codeweavers Crossover, Windscribe VPN, and Gnome Boxes are optional to install.)

  1. Uninstall the following applications via Software:
  • Image Viewer, Photos, Brave Browser, Cheese, Videos, Evolution, and Document Viewer ...

(Alternatively, these can be removed via the terminal using "sudo apt remove [.DEB name].")

For the following applications, uninstall them via the terminal:

  • LibreOffice (type in: "sudo apt autoremove libreoffice*") ...

(Be sure to run the "autoremove," "autoclean," and "autopurge" commands via the sudo command after.)

  1. Be sure to turn on the firewall (gufw). Use default settings only.

  2. Convert Brasero back to X11 via XWayland (to achieve normal window behavior) by doing the following:

  • Go to the terminal and type in "sudo nautilus" (this will open the terminal with superuser rights) ...
  • Navigate to the "/usr/share/applications" folder, then look for the file "brasero.desktop" ...
  • Open the .desktop file, and look for the "exec" line; type in "env GDK_BACKEND=x11 brasero %U" ...
  • When done, the entire line should read as follows: "Exec=env GDK_BACKEND=x11 brasero %U" ...
  • Save the file and quit the text editor; start/restart Brasero to ensure the edit worked ...
  1. Convert MyPaint back to X11 via XWayland (to fix the brush selection bug) by doing this:
  • Go to the terminal and type in "sudo nautilus" (this will open the terminal with superuser rights) ...
  • Navigate to the "/usr/share/applications" folder, then look for the file "mypaint.desktop" ...
  • Open the .desktop file, and look for the "exec" line; type in "env GDK_BACKEND=x11 mypaint %f" ...
  • When done, the entire line should read as follows: "Exec=env GDK_BACKEND=x11 mypaint %f" ...
  • Save the file; start/restart MyPaint and select different brushes to make sure the bug is gone ...
  1. When finished installing VLC, do the following to ensure DVD playback:
  • Go to the terminal and type "sudo apt install libdvd-pkg" (hit enter) ...
  • THEN "sudo dpkg-reconfigure libdvd-pkg" (hit enter again; exit when done) ...

(Support URL: libdvdcss - VideoLAN)

  1. When setting the second HDD (storage), do this to automatically mount it:
  • Go to the "Disks" application and select the HDD in "Disks" ...
  • Click on the gears icon, then uncheck "User Default Session" ...
  • Ensure "Mount at ... " is enabled; save changes, then reboot ...
  1. Disable Snaps and Flatpaks in Zorin OS. Do this via the terminal.

For Snaps:

  • Type in "sudo systemctl stop snapd," THEN "sudo systemctl disable snapd" ...
  • Finish by typing in "sudo apt purge snapd gnome-software-plugin-snap" ...

(These commands disable and remove Snaps completely from the whole OS.)

For Flatpaks:

  • Type in "sudo apt remove gnome-software-plugin-flatpak" (to disable)

(This command disables Flatpaks in the software center only, and not the OS.)

  • Type in "sudo apt install --reinstall flatpak gnome-software-plugin-flatpak"

(If reinstalling Flatpak in the software center is desired, use the above command.)

  1. After uninstalling Brave, remove its repository via the terminal. Do this:
  • Type in "ls /etc/apt/sources.list.d/" and take note of the Brave repository name ...
  • Type in "sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/brave-browser-release.list" ...
  • Followed by "sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/brave-browser-release.list.save" ...

(This will allow the software updater to run without issues after uninstalling Brave.)

  • Also, type in "sudo apt purge brave-browser brave-keyring" in the terminal ...

(This removes the GPG [GNU Privacy Guard] key; if it is not present, it's gone already.)

  1. Finish setting up Zorin OS; do not forget about other things such as:
  • Disabling certain notifications (e.g., GIMP, power management) ...
  • Setting up Zorin Appearance, taskbar preferences, and power settings ...
  • Disabling the "removable drive menu" extension in Extension Manager ...
  • Disabling the "Zorin AppIndicators" extension in Extension Manager ...
  • Replacing the blank template documents in the "Template" folder ...
  • Using "autoremove," "autopurge," and "autoclean" for cleanup ...
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