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Essential Post-Install Tweaks and Usability Tips for Linux Mint Cinnamon Users

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Introduction

So, you've installed Linux Mint with the Cinnamon desktop — great choice. Cinnamon is clean, intuitive, and user-friendly, making it one of the best desktop environments for users switching from Windows. But the journey doesn’t stop at installation. To truly enjoy Linux Mint’s potential, some post-install tweaks can significantly improve your experience in terms of usability, performance, and aesthetics.

In this article, we'll guide you through the essential steps after installation: updating the system, customizing the Cinnamon desktop, enhancing privacy, enabling useful features, and optimizing performance. Whether you're a beginner or a curious power user, these tips will help you get the most out of Linux Mint.

1. Run System Update and Enable Timeshift

Update the System

Linux Mint doesn’t always ship with the latest packages pre-installed, especially if your ISO is a few weeks old. Open the terminal and run:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

This ensures that all security patches and updated applications are installed. You can also use the built-in Update Manager from the system tray if you prefer a GUI approach.

Enable Timeshift Backups

Timeshift allows you to take system snapshots and restore your OS in case something goes wrong (like a bad update). This is especially useful if you're experimenting with configurations.

sudo timeshift-gtk

Set up scheduled snapshots to an external drive or another partition if possible. We recommend enabling RSYNC mode for file-based backups.

2. Customize the Cinnamon Desktop

Change Themes and Icons

Cinnamon has built-in tools to change themes, icons, and cursors. Open:

Menu > Preferences > Themes

From here, you can choose dark/light themes, switch to a different icon set, or download additional ones from the online repository.

Configure the Panel and Applets

Right-click on the panel and choose “Panel Settings”. You can adjust its height, position (top or bottom), and behavior. Add useful applets like a system monitor, weather, or workspace switcher by navigating to:

Menu > Preferences > Applets

Hot Corners and Workspaces

Enable or disable hot corners from:

Menu > Preferences > Hot Corners

This feature allows you to trigger actions (like showing all windows or opening Expo mode) by moving your cursor to a corner of the screen.

3. Install Additional Software

Use the Software Manager

Linux Mint has a clean and user-friendly Software Manager. You can access it via the main menu and browse apps by category. Some popular picks for new users:

• GIMP – Advanced image editing
• VLC – Plays almost all media formats
• LibreOffice – Full office suite
• Steam – For gaming

Enable Flatpak Support

Mint ships with Flatpak enabled by default. To access a wider range of applications:

flatpak install flathub org.mozilla.Thunderbird

You can manage Flatpaks via the Software Manager as well.

4. Configure Privacy and Performance Settings

Disable Unused Startup Applications

Speed up your boot time by disabling services you don't need:

Menu > Preferences > Startup Applications

Here you can toggle what loads when your system starts. Be careful not to disable system-critical processes.

Reduce Swap Usage

On systems with SSDs or lots of RAM, reducing the swap tendency can improve performance. Edit the swappiness value:

sudo nano /etc/sysctl.conf

Add or modify:

vm.swappiness=10

Then apply changes:

sudo sysctl -p

5. Set Up Useful Cinnamon Settings

Keyboard Shortcuts

Customize or explore Cinnamon's powerful keyboard shortcuts:

Menu > Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts

Define shortcuts for launching terminals, switching workspaces, or opening the file manager.

File Manager Tweaks (Nemo)

Nemo is the default file manager in Cinnamon. You can tweak its behavior from:

Menu > Preferences > File Management

Enable single-click to open files, adjust thumbnail behavior, and control file previews.

6. Optional: Improve Battery Life on Laptops

If you're running Linux Mint on a laptop, battery life can often be extended by installing TLP:

sudo apt install tlp tlp-rdw
sudo systemctl enable tlp
sudo systemctl start tlp

TLP applies power-saving tweaks automatically, without the need for configuration.

Conclusion

With just a few post-install tweaks, Linux Mint Cinnamon becomes a highly polished and productive desktop environment. From basic visual tweaks to performance optimizations and application management, these changes will help you feel at home — especially if you're coming from Windows.

In the next part of our series, we'll look at slightly more advanced tips: file system cleanup, drive mounting, user and permissions management, and terminal productivity tricks for intermediate users.

Final Thoughts

Linux Mint’s Cinnamon desktop is powerful yet accessible. With a bit of customization and care, it becomes a reliable daily driver for work, learning, and entertainment. These post-install adjustments set the foundation for a smoother, faster, and more enjoyable Linux experience.

If you missed the first post, you can start with Part 1 – Why and How to Switch to Linux Mint. Ready for more? Continue to Part 3 – Intermediate Tweaks and Productivity Tips.