Fedora 43 After Install Guide

The newest version of Fedora is blasting off with a refreshed after install guide.

The Fedora after install guides have proven to be my most visited posts. With the popularity of Fedora, I decided it was time to properly update the guide. Many parts will look familiar, but it is now better arranged with a more logical flow.

Keep in mind that I started publishing the after install guides as personal cheat sheets. As I distro hopped, it was convenient to keep a list of my most commonly used tweaks. As I shared the guides, community input quickly improved the guides. Ultimately though, they are still intended first for my use. It is the apps I use most. Its the tweaks that make most sense to my workflow.

Release Status

Fedora 43 is still in beta as of publishing. Fedora 42 (the answer to life, the universe, and everything) is the current stable release. Beta releases should not be used in a production environment. Installing beta software may introduce unknown bugs or cause instability. Do so at your own risk.

Get Up to Date

Linux distros have frequent updates, patches, and feature upgrades. Its always important to keep software up to date for security reasons but its even more important with a fresh install. If its been a while since the distro was released, some of the packages may be feeling a little exposed. Get them up to date before doing anything else.

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh -y

Reboot after updating.

Firmware Updates

Depending on availability and vendor support, firmware updates may be available for hardware devices on your system. This can include BIOS or UEFI updates. The Gnome Software Center also automatically checks for firmware updates. Using the command line will force the system to check for updates. Firmware updates may improve system stability or security.

The commands will identify which hardware may have updates in the Linux Vendor Firmware Service (or LVFS for short), check for updates, and then apply updates.

fwupdmgr refresh
fwupdmgr get-updates
fwupdmgr update

Some updates such as UEFI may require a reboot. The command will prompt you to reboot.

Multimedia Support

RPM Fusion offers packages that cannot be offered in the official Fedora repos due to various reasons, such as non free or proprietary licensing. These instructions are kindly borrowed from RPM Fusion. An RPM is also available that will enable these repos. This command enables free and non free repos.

The RPM Fusion repo is required to access multimedia codecs to play proprietary formats such as MP3.

sudo dnf install \
https://download1.rpmfusion.org/free/fedora/rpmfusion-free-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm \
https://download1.rpmfusion.org/nonfree/fedora/rpmfusion-nonfree-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

sudo dnf update @core
sudo dnf install rpmfusion-\*-appstream-data

After installing the repos, install the codecs:

sudo dnf groupupdate multimedia --setop="install_weak_deps=False" --exclude=PackageKit-gstreamer-plugin
sudo dnf groupupdate sound-and-video

System Tweaks

Change How Nautilus Sorts

I prefer that the Nautilus file manager sort files and folders by type first.

gsettings set org.gnome.nautilus.preferences default-sort-order 'type'

However, there are several options for how Nautilus can sort. Replace type in the command above with one of the options below.

Sort key	Sorts by
name	file name (alphabetical)
type	file type or extension
size	file size
mtime	last modified
atime	last accessed

Enable Battery Percentage

If you’re a mobile user relying on a battery, its helpful to know exactly how much is left. This command displays the battery percentage next to the battery.

gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface show-battery-percentage true

Improved Fonts

For improved visibility and compatibility, try installing some different fonts. Default system fonts can be changed through the Gnome Tweaks application.

sudo dnf install freetype-freeworld google-noto-sans-fonts google-noto-serif-fonts liberation-fonts msttcore-fonts-installer

Font rendering is improved by enable subpixel antialiasing and slight hinting. Both can be enabled in Gnome Tweaks.

Bluetooth Codecs

If you use wireless headphones or earbuds, installing additional Bluetooth codecs can improve audio quality. For example, my Soundpeats Air 3 Deluxe HS earbuds support LDAC and aptX Adapative. They offer better quality than the default AAC. In order to get the best audio quality, install the Bluetooth codecs.

sudo dnf install libfreeaptx libldac fdk-aac

Gnome Extensions

I don’t recommend installing more than one Gnome Extension at a time to ensure compatibility and reliability. While they can enhance the Gnome experience and improve desktop customization, installing too many extensions can also adversely effect system performance.

Dash To Dock

Dash to Dock converts the bottom dock style bar into a proper application dock. It can be tweaked to autohide, extend to the edges, and move sides.

GSConnect

GSConnect allows notification syncing so that phone calls, messages, and app notifications will all appear on your desktop. Phone battery life is also displayed. It goes beyond just notifications though.

Text messages can be responded to or even started from the desktop. It also opens up file transfers between devices. While I like Google Messages for RCS and web access, it doesn’t compare to the features GSConnect offers.

GSConnect works with KDE Connect Android app. Before I go any further: Do not install KDE Connect on the Gnome Desktop Environment. It will interfere with GSConnect. GSConnect is the Gnome implementation of KDE Connect. The KDE Connect Android app works with both desktop programs.

Installing Software

How to install via command line

Many of these applications are found in the Software Center. If you’re move comfortable installing software in a graphical point and click environment, skip down to Install via Software Center.

Software installations can be stacked together to save time and effort. For example, if you wish to install VLC and GIMP, the command can be executed as sudo dnf install -y install vlc gimp .

How to install via Software Center

Fedora ships with the Gnome Software Center as the primary home for installing applications. Gnome Software is relatively easy to use with software categories.

Upon first use, a prompt appears at the top to enable Third Party Software Repositories. This option was also available in the initial Welcome screen. The option is additionally available in the hamburger menu (the three stacked lines) in the upper right corner. Select that menu and choose Software Repositories.

Scroll down to find Fedora Third Party Repositories. This option enables useful repos like Google Chrome, Nvidia Drivers, Steam, and more.

Explore the categories at the bottom to discover different software. The magnifying glass in the top left opens the search function. The Software Center showcases “Editor’s Choice” titles. Many of them appear to be popular Linux titles.

Enable Flatpak or Snap for More Options

With Fedora 38 and newer releases, the full Flathub repo is available for Flatpaks when you choose the option to Enable Third Party Repositories. This can be done when initially opening the Software Center. Otherwise, Fedora includes a curated Flathub repo with far fewer options.

To verify that Flatpak is installed and enabled, use this command.

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

Snap support is easily enabled as well. Many Snap packages also have Flatpak counterparts. Consider evaluating Snapcraft to see if the redundancy is necessary. Snap does come with FOSS controversy. While the frontend Snap packages are open source, the backend server side of Snaps is closed source and managed by Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu Linux. Snap is generally unpopular with the larger Linux community but there are many applications available through it. I understand the disdain, but I also believe Linux is about freedom of choice. Withholding information is tantamount to limiting freedom.

If you feel that using Snap may benefit you, try installing it:

sudo dnf install -y snapd
sudo ln -s /var/lib/snapd/snap /snap # for classic snap support
sudo reboot now

Suggested Applications

The following applications are ones I find personally beneficial. This is a very short curated list with many more options available. I have included Flatpak installations as well. You should only install each application from either DNF or Flatpak. There is no need to install both.

Archive tools open compressed files.

 sudo dnf install -y unzip p7zip p7zip-plugins unrar 

Audacity is an excellent audio editor.

sudo dnf install -y audacity 
flatpak install flathub org.audacityteam.Audacity

Bitwarden is an open source password manager akin to LastPass or 1Pass. It integrates with autofill on Android. It syncs passwords across Android, Linux, ,iOS, OS X, and Windows. Bitwarden can be installed through AppImage, DEB, Flatpak, RPM, and Snap. DEB and RPM packages do not auto update. CLI Tools are available along with browser extensions. The Flatpak version is an unofficial release.

flatpak install flathub com.bitwarden.desktop

sudo snap install bitwarden

Chromium is the open source browser project that Google Chrome builds on.

sudo dnf install -y chromium

OR if you want to install full blown Google-ized Chrome. If you want to install a different version, change the package from -stable to -beta or -unstable. Note: if you previously enabled Third Party Repositories, you can safely skip installing fedora-workstation-repositories below.

sudo dnf install fedora-workstation-repositories
sudo dnf config-manager --set-enabled google-chrome
sudo dnf install -y google-chrome-stable

Geary is a simple to use email client

sudo dnf install -y geary
flatpak install flathub org.gnome.Geary

GIMP or GNU Image Manipulation Program is an open source photo editor often touted as the alternative to its proprietary counterpart.

sudo dnf install -y gimp 
flatpak install flathub org.gimp.GIMP

Gnome Tweak Tool makes it easy to modify the system and accompanying Gnome Extensions helps to manage installed extensions.

sudo dnf install -y gnome-tweaks gnome-extensions-app

qBittorrent is designed to be similar to µTorrent, a popular Windows Bittorrent client.

sudo dnf install -y qbittorrent 
flatpak install flathub org.qbittorrent.qBittorrent

Simplenote is a free note taking app developed by Automattic (the WordPress people). Simplenote syncs across virtually everything and supports AppImage, DEB, and RPM. Part of the appeal of Simplenote is markdown support but the other cool thing is WordPress support. Simplenote can be tied to a WordPress account for easy posting. Available Flatpak or Snap.

flatpak install flathub com.simplenote.Simplenote

Spotify is a music streaming service with mobile apps available as well.

flatpak install flathub com.spotify.Client

Standard Notes is a lot like Simplenote. Its free. Its open source. Its crazy cross platform. If the Automattic/Wordpress relationship makes you uncomfortable or maybe you just don’t need it, try Standard Notes instead. Standard Notes has one big advantage over Simplenote: extensions. Yes, the extensions do cost but they effectively turn Standard Notes into a mini office suite with support for markdown, rich text, LaTeX, and HTML to backup support for Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive.

flatpak install flathub org.standardnotes.standardnotes

Steam is a gaming platform. I’m not a gamer but for this is the place to download games.

sudo dnf install -y steam
flatpak install flathub com.valvesoftware.Steam

Tutanota is a privacy focused email service.

flatpak install flathub com.tutanota.Tutanota

VLC is a popular media player capable of playing just about anything.

sudo dnf install -y vlc 
flatpak install flathub org.videolan.VLC

OBS Studio captures, records, and streams live video.

sudo dnf install -y obs-studio 
flatpak install flathub com.obsproject.Studio

GParted is a partition management utility. Gnome Disks is preinstalled on Fedora with similar functionality. GParted is a personal preference.

sudo dnf install -y gparted 

Change the Desktop Environment

After tweaking your system, you may wish to explore bigger changes.

Fedora uses Gnome by default with several other desktop environment (DE) spins available. These DEs are still available after installing Fedora. Installing multiple DEs can cause conflicts with key managers and themes.

Available desktop environments can be found with this command:

dnf group list 

The command will yield a list similar to this:

• Fedora Custom Operating System (custom-environment)
• Minimal Install (minimal-environment)
• Fedora Server Edition (server-product-environment)
• Fedora Workstation (workstation-product-environment)
• Fedora Cloud Server (cloud-server-environment)
• KDE Plasma Workspaces (kde-desktop)
• Xfce Desktop (xfce-desktop)
• LXDE Desktop (lxde-desktop)
• LXQt Desktop (lxqt-desktop)
• Cinnamon Desktop (cinnamon-desktop)
• MATE Desktop (mate-desktop)
• Sugar Desktop Environment (sugar-desktop)
• Deepin Desktop (deepin-desktop)
• Development and Creative Workstation (developer-workstation)
• Web Server (web-server-environment)
• Infrastructure Server (infrastructure-server-environment)
• Basic Desktop (basic-desktop-environment)
• COSMIC Desktop (cosmic-desktop)

Using the package name from the list above, install the desktop enviroment with a simple dnf install substituting kde-desktop with the preferred DE.

dnf install @kde-desktop

DEs can be switched at the login screen or alternatively, with the Desktop Switcher tool.

sudo dnf -y install switchdesk switchdesk-gui

Open the Desktop Switcher and select the preferred DE.

Conclusion

What are you first steps after installing Fedora? Which applications do you recommend?