Pop!_OS Setup Guide: 16 Must-Do Tasks After Installation (2025)

Hey there! Just installed Pop!_OS? Awesome choice! Whether you’re switching from Windows or upgrading from another Linux distro, this guide will transform your fresh installation into a fully optimized powerhouse. I’ve spent countless hours fine-tuning Pop!_OS setups, and I’m going to share everything I’ve learned to help you create the perfect system.

Why These Post-Installation Steps Matter

Think of a fresh Pop!_OS installation like getting a brand new phone – it works, but you haven’t made it yours yet. We’ll go through everything from essential tweaks to pro tips that will make your Pop!_OS experience absolutely fantastic. No fluff, just the good stuff.

1. Updates First (Trust Me on This)

Before we dive into the fun stuff, let’s get your system up-to-date. Pop!_OS makes this refreshingly simple:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt dist-upgrade -y
sudo apt autoremove --purge -y

Hit some errors? Here’s what usually works:

Internet acting up? Double-check your connection
Getting “locked database” messages? Run: sudo rm /var/lib/apt/lists/lock
“dpkg frontend lock” issues? Run: sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/lock-frontend
Still stuck? Try changing your download server in Settings > About > Software Updates

2. Getting Graphics Right

Nothing ruins the experience like choppy graphics. Let’s fix that:

For NVIDIA Users

If you didn’t use the NVIDIA-specific ISO during installation:

sudo apt install system76-driver-nvidia

Quick tip: After installing, type nvidia-smi to verify everything’s working.

For AMD Users

AMD drivers come built-in, but for the latest features:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kisak/kisak-mesa
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Common Graphics Issues Fixed

Screen tearing? Enable “Force Full Composition Pipeline” in NVIDIA Settings
For AMD, try adding tear_free=1 to your xorg.conf
Random freezes? Switch between Performance/Power Save modes in COSMIC Settings

3. Unlock More Software

Let’s expand your software horizons:

sudo apt install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository universe
sudo add-apt-repository multiverse
sudo apt update

Now you can install some awesome apps. Here’s what I use daily:

Spotify: flatpak install flathub com.spotify.Client
Discord: flatpak install flathub com.discordapp.Discord
OBS Studio: flatpak install flathub com.obsproject.Studio
VS Code: flatpak install flathub com.visualstudio.code

4. Media Magic (Because Entertainment Matters)

Want your videos and music to just work? Here’s what you need:

sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras libavcodec-extra libdvd-pkg
sudo dpkg-reconfigure libdvd-pkg

For the ultimate media setup:

sudo apt install vlc mpv
sudo apt install gstreamer1.0-plugins-{bad,ugly,good}

Having issues?

No audio in videos? Install: sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-addons
DVD playback issues? Try: sudo apt install libdvdcss2
HD video stuttering? Enable hardware acceleration in your player settings

5. Lock It Down (The Easy Way)

Security doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s what you need:

# Enable firewall
sudo ufw enable
sudo ufw status verbose

# Set up automatic updates
sudo apt install unattended-upgrades
sudo dpkg-reconfigure unattended-upgrades

Want extra protection?

# Install enhanced security tools
sudo apt install fail2ban rkhunter

6. Power User Tools

These are the tools I can’t live without:

sudo apt install htop neofetch curl wget git gnome-tweaks timeshift gparted

What makes these special:

htop: See what’s eating your resources (in style)
neofetch: For those sweet system info screenshots
timeshift: Your system’s safety net
gnome-tweaks: Make your desktop truly yours
gparted: Manage your drives like a pro

7. Make It Look Amazing

Pop!_OS looks great out of the box, but let’s make it even better:

Must-Have GNOME Extensions

Dash to Dock (for a proper dock)
GSConnect (sync with your Android phone)
Clipboard Indicator (life-changing, trust me)
CPU Power Manager (better battery life)

My Favorite Theme Setup

WhiteSur for that clean look
Dracula Theme for dark mode lovers
Papirus Icon Theme for modern icons

8. Developer’s Paradise

Let’s set up the ultimate dev environment:

Essential Tools

sudo apt install build-essential python3 python3-pip nodejs npm docker.io

Terminal Perfection

# Install Zsh and Oh My Zsh
sudo apt install zsh
sh -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ohmyzsh/ohmyzsh/master/tools/install.sh)"

VS Code Must-Have Extensions

Python
Live Share
GitLens
Remote Development

9. Gaming Paradise

Yes, you can game on Linux! Here’s how:

sudo apt install steam lutris wine

For better performance:

# Install GameMode
sudo apt install gamemode
# Install MangoHud for FPS monitoring
flatpak install flathub com.valvesoftware.Steam.Utility.MangoHud

Games that run perfectly:

Counter-Strike 2 (native)
Baldur’s Gate 3 (Steam Play)
Stardew Valley (native)
GTA V (Proton)

10. Performance Boost

Let’s make your system fly:

SSD Optimization

# Enable TRIM
sudo systemctl enable fstrim.timer

Memory Management

Add to /etc/sysctl.conf:

vm.swappiness=10
vm.vfs_cache_pressure=50

Troubleshooting Common Issues

System Feels Slow?

Check startup apps in Settings > Applications > Startup
Monitor resource-heavy processes with htop
Clear package cache: sudo apt clean

Wi-Fi Problems?

Update drivers: sudo ubuntu-drivers autoinstall
Reset NetworkManager: sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager
Check compatibility: lspci -k | grep -A 3 'Network'

What’s Next?

You’ve now got a fully optimized Pop!_OS system! Here’s what I recommend:

Join the Pop!_OS subreddit
Set up regular backups with Timeshift
Try the tiling window manager (Super + Y)
Explore workspaces (they’re actually useful!)

Keep in Touch!

I love hearing about cool setups! Drop a comment below with:

Your favorite customizations
Apps you can’t live without
Tips I might have missed
Questions about anything unclear

See you in the comments! 👋