Christopher Juckins

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ubuntu_26_notes

VirtualBox Running Ubuntu 26

Ubuntu 26.04 new install May 2026.

  • Use 32MB Video memory for Guest Additions full screen (or more if needed).

Used Default selection for apps. Skip additional software.

Install XFCE with these notes

  • Remember to reboot after following the steps.

Set root password with sudo passwd root

Using GUI settings, turn off screensaver and power management options

  • Applications > Settings > Power Manager
  • Screensaver Management > Screensaver and Lock Screen
  • Possibly need to reboot

(NOTE: Previously I had run apt purge light-locker to disable screensaver and screen blanking but it didn't seem to work.)

Install network stuff to run ifconfig, etc:

sudo apt install net-tools vim gnome-terminal curl

Add my .bashrc and my alias for apt updates:

alias au='apt update; apt -y upgrade'
alias vi='vim'

Change hostname

For Guest Additions:

sudo apt install gcc make perl

Installed Guest Additions CD, ran Linux script. Said there was an error but upon VM reboot the guest additions were installed.

Fix SSH:

sudo apt install openssh-server
sudo systemctl start ssh
sudo systemctl enable ssh

Disable Firewall

Customize grub to show boot options and keep messages on screen during boot:

cd /etc/default
sudo cp grub grub.YYYYMMDD
sudo vi grub
  • Comment out: GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE=hidden
  • Instead of a value of 0, modify GRUB_TIMEOUT=5
  • Comment out: GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash"
  • Run sudo update-grub and then reboot to test

Set up GMail as a Relay

Install and test crontab

Create $HOME/.vimrc with the following lines:

set mouse=
autocmd FileType * setlocal formatoptions-=c formatoptions-=r formatoptions-=o

Enable ESM Apps to receive additional future security updates - see https://ubuntu.com/esm or run: sudo pro status


29 June 2026

When I updated the system, at the end it asked if I wanted to remove unnecessary packages. I did so and it immediately killed my graphical login and Xfce. Had to reinstall Xfce using link above and then issue sudo systemctl set-default graphical.target


Move Unifi Controller using steps below

  • Install UniFi using the Easy Installation Script
    • Make Backup of Unifi on old VM using script above
    • Shutdown old VM and new VM
    • Change IP address of new VM to match that of old VM (use MAC if DHCP)
    • Start new VM
    • Restore UniFi config from backup
ubuntu_26_notes.txt · Last modified: by juckins