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22 Things to Do After Installing Ubuntu 26.10 Stonking Stingray
Ubuntu works reasonably well out of the box, but a fresh installation still leaves plenty of room for improvement. A few tweaks, some essential software, and a handful of lesser-known settings can help you get a more comfortable, productive, and personalized desktop experience from day one.
In this guide, let's look at some of the first things worth doing after installing Ubuntu 26.10.
Before installing new applications or customizing the desktop, it is a good idea to check for any available system updates. Ubuntu installation images are not updated daily, so there may already be security patches, bug fixes, and package updates waiting to be installed.
The easiest way is to launch Software Updater from the Activities Overview and let it handle the process.
If you prefer the terminal, you can use the apt command.
This command refreshes the package repository information and installs the latest available updates. Taking care of updates first helps ensure a stable and secure foundation before moving on to other post-installation tasks.
Due to licensing and copyright restrictions in certain countries, Ubuntu does not include support for some popular media formats such as MP3, MPEG-4, and AVI out of the box.
Fortunately, installing support for these formats is straightforward. The ubuntu-restricted-extras package bundles media codecs, Microsoft TrueType fonts, and a few additional components that improve compatibility with common audio, video, and office documents.
If you see the EULA or the license screen, remember to use the tab key to select between the options and then hit enter to confirm your choice.
Typing isn't always the fastest way to get text into a computer. Whether you're taking notes, drafting an email, or quickly capturing an idea, speaking can sometimes feel more natural. Ubuntu 26.10 introduces Myna, an optional speech-to-text feature that brings local voice dictation directly to the desktop.