Kubuntu Focus: Clean Install Guided Solution

Clean Install

Kubuntu Focus Suite 24.04 LTS

Perform a clean install if you want to run the OS on a computer or virtual machine; restore a system that has been corrupted; or to upgrade the OS from a prior LTS.

The Kubuntu Focus Suite
Install from the ISO
Multi-Disk Configuration
Prepare VirtualBox
Known Issues
Abridged Changelog
Revisions
Footnotes
Disclaimer

Get convenience, performance, and reliability. Validated on Kubuntu Focus hardware.

Please read the disclaimer before proceeding. We review and update guided solutions regularly. If you have suggestions or requests, please write support@kfocus.org.

As the name suggests, KFS 24.04 is a system image that provides the Kubuntu 24.04 LTS OS and a suite of software that adds convenience, performance, and reliability features that are impractical to add to Kubuntu directly:

Validated Updates help ensure your Focus system just keeps working
Hardware Configuration subsystem ensures features like sound and camera work optimally on Focus hardware
Focus Tools like the Welcome Wizard and System Rollback make hard tasks easy
Curated Apps help you find, install, and run recommended software in seconds
Guided Solutions deliver current and accurate HOWTOs that you can rely on

KFS 24.04 is the latest recommended and supported system image for Focus hardware. It is validated on all Focus s models sold in the last 3 years. While we can’t validate for all other hardware, VMs and other devices can still benefit from the substantial testing, sophisticated tools, curated apps, and expert articles^[1].

Test the Kubuntu Focus Suite before install.

Install from the ISO

The Kubuntu Focus Suite is designed, tested, and supported on Kubuntu Focus devices. Here are the steps to install:

If you are installing to a VirtualBox or other VM, please see Prepare VirtualBox section, below.
Back up any existing data first.
Download the latest ISO image to get the latest installation features and minimize the need for package updates.
Use the ISO Verification Guide to verify the ISO image integrity.
Install the ISO image to a USB flash drive (>= 8 GB) using Ubuntu (or flavor thereof), Windows, or macOS. All Kubuntu Focus computers ship with a blank USB flash drive that can be used for this purpose.
Power-off the computer. Insert the USB flash drive into a USB type A port, and remove any other flash drives.
Power-on the computer and immediately and repeatedly tap F7 to see the BIOS list of bootable disks. If this doesn't work, you might tap F2 or ESC and select the boot drive in the BIOS. In either case, boot from the USB flash drive. The name of this drive will depend on the brand of drive you use.
Within 5 seconds after booting, you will be presented with a black-and-white GRUB menu. Allow the system to proceed with the default Try or Install Kubuntu option.
After about a minute, the system should present you with a graphical menu with [Try Kubuntu] and [Install Kubuntu] options. If this does not occur after 2 minutes, try again with the Start Kubuntu (safe graphics) option.
Click [Try Kubuntu].
The Live Boot environment will start with a full Kubuntu desktop. Especially if you are not on a Kubuntu Focus system, you should check that WiFi, displays, and other key capabilities work as you expect.
If everything is working as expected^[2], double-click on Install Kubuntu 24.04 LTS. Follow the instructions on the screen.
If your system has multiple disks, you will be advised to install the OS in OEM mode. This allows you to integrate the secondary disk into the system as either a home disk or a data disk. If this is desirable for your use case, click [ OEM Mode ] on the popup that appears. Otherwise, click [ Standard Mode ].
When presented with the Partitions screen, choose your preferred installation method. We highly recommend using Erase disk rather than dual-booting two operating systems on the same drive. If you are using OEM mode for setting up a multi-disk installation, do NOT use manual partitioning!
We recommend leaving the swap file and filesystem preferences set to defaults for the best results.
If desirable, enable full disk encryption by checking the Encrypt system check box in the lower half of the installer window. You will need to provide a secure passphrase. DO NOT FORGET THE PASSPHRASE YOU CREATE, as it cannot be recovered.
Sign-in to the freshly installed operating system. On first boot, your system will reconfigure for the hardware and you will be asked to reboot.
After reboot, sign-in again. The Welcome Wizard will help you install useful restricted and optional software.
Remember to regularly update your software packages as discussed here.

Install the Kubuntu Focus Suite 24.04 LTS.

Multi-Disk Configuration

If you attempt to install Kubuntu Focus Suite on a computer with two or more disks installed, you will be prompted to use the OEM installation model, as shown below.

Use OEM installation mode when installing on a system with multiple disks.

If you proceed with the OEM installation, you will select a system disk where you will install the OS. After first boot, the system will run as the OEM user, and the Multi-Disk Configuration Tool (MDCT) will appear on the desktop.

Prepare a secondary disk with the <b>Multi-Disk Configuration Tool</b>.

Prepare a secondary disk with the Multi-Disk Configuration Tool.

The MDCT provides the option to use one of the disks to store user home directories or general data. You may erase and reformat the disk, or reuse it and keep the existing data.

You can easily reuse a disk with existing data.

If the root disk is unencrypted, then the MDCT requires that any secondary disk also be unencrypted. If you are trying to reuse an encrypted secondary disk, make sure to install the OS with encryption enabled.

The MDCT is available only while in OEM configuration mode. After the disks are set up, double click Prepare for Shipping icon in the top-left corner of the desktop to finalize the setup. Then reboot. You will be guided through setting up your user account at startup.

On first login as a regular user, you will be presented with the Welcome Wizard. If you have used an encrypted disk, you will be asked to check and secure the passphrase.

Change the encryption passphrase in the Welcome Wizard.

Prepare VirtualBox

If you are installing to VirtualBox or other VM, there are a few steps you should take before attempting to load the ISO:

VirtualBox 7: When creating a new machine, click on NEW and then specify all the machine settings EXCEPT for the KFS ISO file. Instead, give the system a name, use the default folder, and specify Type:Linux and Version: Ubuntu(64-bit). The ISO Image: field should show <not selected>. Press the Next button to proceed.
For a testing VM, we recommend allocating 4.0 GB of RAM, 24-32 GB of disk, and 4-8 CPU threads. Also, please enable EFI boot using, for example, Settings > System > Motherboard > Enable EFI.
Select your VM from the LH side, and then click Settings > Screen. Set the 'graphics controller' to VBoxVGA or VBoxSGVA. Also, make sure enable 3D acceleration is NOT checked. If this is not done, during boot you will likely see a message that looks like this: *ERROR* vmgfx seems to be running on an unsupported hypervisor ... *ERROR* This configuration is likely broken.
If you skipped specifying the ISO file, you will be prompted to select it when you first start the VM.

Known Issues

All software has bugs and limitations. Before you proceed, please make sure to review the following known issues. Always back up your data before installation. If you are not running on supported Focus hardware, also run a live session to verify compatibility before proceeding.

The Kubuntu Focus Suite is configured and optimized for Kubuntu Focus hardware (prior and current models). If you have different hardware, these may not apply.
Kubuntu 24.04 "Noble Numbat" Known Issues
Audacity 3.4.2 has been problematic on Nvidia systems. This is being worked on. If you run into issues, consider using Ardour, Kdenlive, or similar as an alternative.

Abridged Changelog

kfocus-apt-source

Use Thunderbird and Mozilla deb packages (#4120)
Add pins for Firefox, Thunderbird deb package (#4120)
Add trusted keys (#4288,4120)
Exclude troublesome WSLU for default browser (#4120)
Prevent Snap override Firefox, Thunderbird (#4120)
Update repos for Noble (#4120, #4085)

kfocus-calamares-settings

calamares-settings: Add branding (#4240)
calamares-settings: Change the UID of the OEM user to 60999 (#4013)
Enable KFocus customizations after user creation (#4013)
Rationalize root and kfocus_boot BTRFS (#4222)
Enable discard and LZO compression on BTRFS (#4222)
Enable discard on LUKS (#4222)
Brand-Match color scheme (#4288)
Refine theming and wallpaper in OEM mode (#4288)
Prepare desktop file (#4288)
Run Calamares in windowed mode with sensible values (#4288)
welcome.png: Brand first slide for end-user setup (#4288)

kfocus-firstrun-bin

Update welcome wizard font page images, noble numbat (#4324)
Add welcome wizard rollback guidance (#4311,4288)
Remove the Plasma Welcome Center from the wizard (#4288)
Update images for Noble (#4311)
Update Thunderbird logo (#4085)
Confirm internet with nslookup (#4324)

kfocus-hw

Add patched kernel support parameter (#4333)
Add boot param for per-model (#4333,4222)
Update all hints widget branding, fonts, content (#3939)
Improve unique badges for Noble Numbat (#3939)
Add new model hardware configs (#4222)
Add missing chevron to banner image (#3939)
Moved common widget panes to kfocus-main (#4085)
Update kubuntu bug, add touchpad toggle (#3939)
Package IDE installer for distributions (#4288)

kfocus-installer-prompt

Port kubuntu-installer-prompt to KFocus (#4288)
Adjust colors, fonts, and themes (#4288)

kfocus-linux-meta

Release for Kubuntu Focus (#4333)
Upstream Ubuntu linux-meta 6.8.0-36.36
Backport ITMT Support from 6.10

kfocus-main

Auth: Use human readable Crypt auth msg (#4277)
Auth: Use human readable Curated Apps auth msg (#4277)
Autostart: Centralize configs to common (#4085)
Hints Widget: Move common widget panes to main (#4085)
Hints Widget: Update all panel fonts and colors (#3939)
Hints Widget: Update kubuntu bug, add touchpad toggle (#3939)
Icons: Remove most pixmap raster icons (#4240)
Icons: Update 9 SVGs (#4240)
Icons: Update for terminal: kfocus-bug-rx, kfocus-bug-welcome (#4240)
Libs: Add new-model support (#4222)
Libs: Add support for showing combo boxes to the user (#4013)
Libs: Remove extraneous punctuation iin Whiptail UI (#4013)
Various: Add human readable auto prompts (#4342)
Various: Add system-level FocusRx dbus messaging (#4085,3476)
bin/kfocus-shrinkpdf: Enhance per package audit (#4222)
bin/kfocus-vidsync: Update comment only (#4085)
conf/etc_bash_completion.d_kfocus (#4085)
control: Add depends on kernel packages (#4085)
control: Add depends on kfocus-wallpapers (#4240)
control: Adjust Recommends to use kfocus-qwe instead of QWE (#4085)
control: Block WSLU installation as www-browser which breaks install (#4182)
control: Drop obsolete transitional package kfocus-001-main (#4085)
control: Recommend vlc package, confirmed pulls in all libs (#4085)
control: Replace pcmemtest with memtest86+ (#4085)
control: Review all recommends (#4085)
control: Update manpages (#4318)
etc/bash_completion.d/kfocus: Simplify symlink (#4085)
kfocus-extra: Adjust default options (#4085)
kfocus-extra: Remove older wallpapers (#4085)
kfocus-fix-ibus: Use common libs (#4322)
kfocus-focusrx-set: Add new-model logic and support (#4222)
kfocus-focusrx: Adjust low boot space message (#4222)
kfocus-focusrx: Ensure a crontab exists for the user (#4323)
kfocus-focusrx: Provide BTRFS disk usage (#4222)
kfocus-focusrx: Remove unused fixup handlers (#4222)
kfocus-focusrx: Separate BTRFS setup logic from hw check (#4013)
kfocus-focusrx: Use nslookup to test Internet connectivity (#4288)
kfocus-help: Rename to Reference Pages (#4240)
kfocus-hints: Update hints widget (#3939)
kfocus-kclean: Prefer kfocus kernels (#4423)
kfocus-kclean: Update metapackage references (#4423)
kfocus-main: Consolidate plasma control scripts (#4322)
kfocus-main: Escalate curl from Recommends to Depends (#4288)
kfocus-mime: Add kfocus-rollback to app list (#4013)
kfocus-mime: Add support for kfocus-mime:// handler (#4258)
kfocus-mime: Clear LD_LIBRARY_PATH before run (#4288)
kfocus-mime: Update aws and telegram installers (#4288)
kfocus-mime: Refine docker, vbox special handlers (#4431)
kfocus-mime: Remove Atom text editor (#4320)
kfocus-mime: Remove Brave Browser (#4320)
kfocus-mime: Update dropbox source and install (#4085)
kfocus-mime: Update rtests, skype, atom, brave, docker, vbox (#4431)
kfocus-mime: When installing Docker, add user docker group (#2068)
kfocus-mime: When installing Docker, also install Docker Compose (#2068)
kfocus-power-bin: Consolidate power management tools to (#4085)
kfocus-reset-effects: Add new-model support (#4222)
kfocus-reset-effects: Add toggle touchpad (Meta + Space)
kfocus-reset-effects: Apply changes as last step (#4300)
kfocus-reset-effects: Comments only for lookandfeel tools (#3179)
kfocus-reset-effects: Full desktop reset (#4300)
kfocus-reset-effects: Refactor escape chars for maintenance (#3179)
kfocus-reset-effects: Reset display on completion (#4300)
kfocus-rest: Deprecate and remove (#4085)
kfocus-rollback: Check disk space on snapshot-enabled BTRFS (#4013)
kfocus-rollback: Format text for Whiptail UI (#4156)
kfocus-rollback: Implement logging facilities (#4013)
kfocus-rollback: Improve low disk space messaging (#4013)
kfocus-rollback: Integrate BTRFS optimization into kfocus-focusrx (#4201)
kfocus-rollback: Integrate rollback with kfocus-focusrx (#4013)
kfocus-rollback: Integrate with kfocus-kclean (#4013)
kfocus-rollback: Remove during hardware config if not useful (#4013)
pkg_depends: avoid lang nag with Thunderbird, Firefox (#4386)

kfocus-nvidia

control: Remove OOD sleep-resume services (#4229)
nvidia-pinning: Update pins to 24.04 (#4229)
control: Drop transitional package kfocus-nvidia-001
Update Ubuntu repo references to 24.04 (#4085)
Drop transitional package kfocus-001-nvidia (#4085)
Revert Nvidia from 550 to 535 due to regressions (4229)

kfocus-power-bin

control: Update manpages (#4318)
control: Remove OOD symlinks (#4318)
various: Add keywords to desktop file for easier search (#4085)
kfocus-power-fan: Add new-model fan control messages
Icons: Update 2 SVGs (#4240)
Icons: Remove most raster icons (#4240)
kfocus-power-bin: Consolidate all power mgmt into power-bin (#4085)

kfocus-qwe

control: Renamed for Noble, replace qwe package (#4085)
control: Add and update manpages (#4085)
control: Update implementation links (#4085)

kfocus-rest

Convert to a transitional package (#4085)

kfocus-rollback

Auth: Provide human-readable prompts (#4342)
kfocus-rollback-set: Adjust low boot space message (#4342)
kfocus-rollback-set: Harden logic to handle incomplete snapshots (#4427)
kfocus-rollback-set: Improve logic for root FS maintenance (#4427)
kfocus-rollback-set: Triple check ESP restore operations (#4427)

kfocus-settings

Remove transitional package kfocus-001-settings, ubiquity (#4085)
apparmor: Allow user namespaces for Docker, others (#4271)
bashrc: Make non-wrapping Bash prompt for newly created (#4085)
config/backintime: Disable automatic snapshots by default (#4085)
config/backintime: Remove `-x` rsync options (#4323)
config/keepassxc: Add init defaults file (#4085)
control: Bump Standards-Version to 4.6.2 (#4085)
control: Bump debhelper-compat to 13 (#4085)
control: Depend kfocus-wallpapers for themes (#4306)
control: Depend on kfocus-power-bin (#4085)
control: Update Vcs and Homepage info (#4085)
copyright: Update copyright date (#4085)
etc/*: Symlink configs from shared dir (#4085)
kfocus-settings.install: Remove the obsolete etc/X11 line (#4083)
plasma-welcomerc: Add to kfocus-settings (#4085)
plasma/desktoptheme: Normalize defaults (#4240)
plasma/layout-templates: Exclude not-found app icons (#4240)
plasma/layout-templates: Update vertical panel ~10% wider (#4240)
plasma/look-and-feel: Refine DPI adjusted layouts (#4240)
plasma/look-and-feel: Set light color scheme to KubuntuLight (#4240)
plasma/look-and-feel: Set six wallpapers (#4306)
plasma: Add missing dirs (#4306)
plasma: Adjust icon heights for 4k support (#4306)
plasma: Configure thunderbird, firefox launchers to non-snap package (#4386)
plasma: Update all kfocus themes (#4240)
plasma: Update global theme screenshots (#4288, #4085)
rollback: Prevent libvert BTRFS subvolumes (#4013)
sddm/themes/kfocus/theme.conf: Set wallpaper (#4306) Default theme (#4288)
share/wallpapers: Support all-sizes horiz and vert (#4240)

kfocus-tools

Auth: Provide human-readable prompts (#4277)
Move power management tools to package-power-bin (#4085)
Update kfocus-pick-gcc to include GCC 13 on Ubuntu 24.04 (#4085)
control: Forward port Jammy ncurses6 which provides libtinfo5 (#4331)
control: Update manpages (#4318)
icons: Update all for noble noble style (#4240)
kfocus-conda-legacy-01: Remove (#4085)
kfocus-kb-color: Add support for new models (#4085)
kfocus-pick-gcc-set: Add warn for missing targets (#4085)
kfocus-pick-gcc: Add cpp as optional package (#4085)
kfocus-tools: Add search terms (#4085)
pixmaps: Remove all raster gfx (#4240)

kfocus-wallpapers

Create, update 2×28 wallpapers (#4306, #4240)
Drop transitional package kfocus-001-wallpapers (#4085)

Revisions

This is a partial revision history. See the git repository for all entries.

2024-09-19 563954bf Add section for VirtualBox 7
2024-08-23 72f0bb01 Include guide for multi-disk setups
2024-07-30 0ea98a61 Add collapsible section for 24.04 Changelog
2024-07-16 18b25e9a Update for to latest 24.04 ISO
2024-06-06 5b0ea29b Update for Noble
2023-11-18 e770b1c6 Add search and help bar
2023-04-25 19f0fa02 Update Ir14g1, M2g5
2022-12-14 984993c4 Add Link to clean-install backup advice
2022-07-11 19b39e5a Add 22.04 Known Issues
2022-06-20 abff0762 Add 22.04 LTS details
2022-01-24 e6c509c6 Add option details and images to ISO guide
2021-10-25 7bf9f4a5 Remove VM and use ISO exclusively
2021-10-10 5728326e Reformat to 2-column
2021-09-22 dc862884 Update link and headline colors
2021-08-23 681261b4 Review and update codeblocks
2021-06-09 ef3ea572 Open external links in new tabs
2021-04-22 5109fae2 Update to use ISO for this solution
2021-01-11 dcc9c438 Add install-focal.sh script
2020-06-10 c4ed9299 Restructure layout
2020-05-20 f776dc20 Remove proprietary install option
2020-04-20 8959836b Use apt-get, streamline process
2020-04-20 7b06252b First publication
2020-04-14 5a096eb3 Clarify VM use

Footnotes

[1] The Kubuntu Focus team uses the Suite regularly on over a dozen different hardware configurations. These include the official models (Ir14, Ir16, M1, M2, NX, XE), other laptops, and desktop systems.

[2] The Live environment does not have the NVIDIA drivers installed and, as such, cannot perform advanced GPU-intensive tasks, such as machine learning and AI development. To use these features, the Kubuntu Focus Suite and the kfocus-nvidia package must be installed on a Kubuntu Focus M1 or M2 system.

Disclaimer

We try hard to provide a useful solution validated by professionals. However, we cannot anticipate every situation, and therefore cannot guarantee this procedure will work for your needs. Always backup your data and test the solution to determine the correct procedure for you.

THIS SOLUTION IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS “AS IS” AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOLUTION, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.