How can I switch my Linux Mint desktop back from GNOME to Cinnamon?
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MellowQuasar42
I'm new to Linux Mint and somehow changed my desktop environment from Cinnamon to GNOME. I'm not sure what I clicked or installed, but after rebooting I was presented with a completely different desktop. I'd like to return to Cinnamon for now and need guidance on reinstalling or selecting it without breaking essential system packages.
Answers
That error means the Cinnamon session package is missing or incomplete. Switch to a text console with Ctrl+Alt+F3, log in, and run `sudo apt update` followed by `sudo apt install --reinstall cinnamon cinnamon-session`. If the package manager reports unfinished configuration, run `sudo dpkg --configure -a` and then repeat the install. Reboot afterward and explicitly select Cinnamon at the login screen.
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A desktop-environment selector such as `tasksel` can also help install or choose a desktop, but the login screen’s session selector is usually simpler. Avoid commands like `sudo apt autoremove *gnome*` until everything is working, since broad removal patterns can remove packages that another part of the system needs.
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First make sure Cinnamon is installed with `sudo apt install cinnamon cinnamon-session`. Then log out or reboot. At the login screen, select your username, choose the session or desktop icon, pick Cinnamon, and sign in. You generally don’t need to remove GNOME immediately; keeping both installed is safer while you confirm Cinnamon works.
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MellowQuasar42: I tried removing the GNOME packages and reached a Cinnamon login screen, but signing in gives an error saying `cinnamon-session-cinnamon` cannot be found, followed by a black screen.