Linux Mint 12: Autostart Programs Guide
Managing Startup Applications in Linux Mint
Within the Windows operating system, the Startup folder provides a convenient method for automatically launching programs via shortcuts. However, Linux Mint offers a more streamlined approach to managing applications that begin upon system boot—the following instructions detail this process.
For illustrative purposes, this guide will demonstrate configuring VLC Media Player to launch automatically. It’s important to note that these steps are universally applicable to any application you wish to configure.
Accessing Startup Applications
Begin by clicking on the Applications menu. Then, select “Other” from the displayed options. This will reveal and launch the “Startup Applications” utility.
The Startup Applications window will then display a list of programs currently configured to start with the system.
Adding a New Startup Application
To add a new application to the startup list, click the “Add” button.
A new window will appear, prompting you to provide a name for the startup item. For this example, we will simply name it “VLC”.
Specifying the Application Path
Next, click the “Browse” button. This will open a file browser, allowing you to navigate to the application’s installation directory.
Typically, applications are located within the following directory structure:
File System > usr > bin
Select the desired application and then click the “Open” button.
Finalizing the Addition
Finally, click the “Add” button to confirm the addition of the application to the startup list.
The application is now configured to launch automatically each time the system boots.
Restoring Hidden Startup Applications in Linux MintExperienced Linux Mint users may observe a reduced number of entries within the Startup Applications Preferences. This reduction isn't due to missing applications, but rather a default setting that conceals many of them.
Revealing Concealed Applications
To restore visibility to all automatically starting applications and services, the Terminal must be utilized. Execute the following command within the Terminal window:
sudo sed -i 's/NoDisplay=true/NoDisplay=false/g' /etc/xdg/autostart/*.desktop
This command modifies the configuration files responsible for managing startup applications, effectively changing their display status.
Verification and Access
After running the command, revisit the Startup Applications Preferences. All applications and services configured to launch automatically should now be visible and manageable.
This allows for complete control over the programs that initiate upon system startup.
