How to Manage Startup Applications on Linux Mint

Introduction

Linux Mint is a popular Linux distribution known for its ease of use, stability, and performance. However, as you install more applications, you may notice that your system takes longer to boot. This slowdown is often due to unnecessary applications launching at startup, consuming valuable system resources. Fortunately, Linux Mint provides simple tools to manage these startup applications, allowing you to improve boot times and overall system performance.

In this guide, we’ll cover how to manage startup applications on Linux Mint using both graphical user interface (GUI) tools and command-line methods. By the end, you’ll know how to identify, enable, disable, and optimize startup programs effectively.

Why Manage Startup Applications?

Managing startup applications is crucial for several reasons:

• Faster Boot Times: Reducing the number of startup programs speeds up system boot time.
• Improved Performance: Fewer background applications mean more available system resources for active tasks.
• Enhanced Stability: Minimizing startup programs reduces the chance of software conflicts or system crashes.

Accessing Startup Applications

Using the Graphical Interface

1. Open the Menu: Click on the Linux Mint menu in the bottom-left corner.
2. Search for “Startup Applications”: Type “Startup Applications” in the search bar.
3. Launch the Tool: Click on the Startup Applications icon to open the management window.

Here, you’ll see a list of applications configured to start automatically when you log in.

Using the Terminal

For those who prefer the terminal:

mate-session-properties

or

xfce4-session-settings

depending on your desktop environment (Cinnamon, MATE, or XFCE).

Managing Startup Applications

Enabling and Disabling Applications

1. In the Startup Applications Preferences window, you’ll see a list of startup programs.
2. To disable an application, uncheck the box next to its name.
3. To enable a previously disabled application, check the box.

Adding New Startup Applications

1. Click on the Add button.
2. Fill in the details:
   • Name: Enter a recognizable name.
   • Command: Enter the command to launch the application (you can find this in the application’s properties).
   • Comment: Optional description.
3. Click Add to save the new startup entry.

Removing Startup Applications

1. Select the application you want to remove.
2. Click the Remove button.

Note: Removing an application from the startup list does not uninstall it; it only stops it from launching automatically.

Advanced Startup Management with the Terminal

Viewing Current Startup Applications

ls ~/.config/autostart/

This lists all applications set to start automatically for your user account.

Disabling a Startup Application

You can disable an application by editing its .desktop file:

nano ~/.config/autostart/appname.desktop

Find the line that says:

X-GNOME-Autostart-enabled=true

Change it to:

X-GNOME-Autostart-enabled=false

Save the file by pressing Ctrl + O, then Enter, and exit with Ctrl + X.

Adding a Startup Application via Terminal

Create a new .desktop file:

nano ~/.config/autostart/myapp.desktop

Add the following content:

[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Exec=your-command-here
Hidden=false
NoDisplay=false
X-GNOME-Autostart-enabled=true
Name=My Application
Comment=Starts My Application at login

Replace your-command-here with the command to launch the application. Save and exit.

Identifying Resource-Heavy Startup Applications

Using System Monitor

1. Open System Monitor from the menu.
2. Go to the Processes tab.
3. Sort by CPU or Memory usage.

This helps identify applications consuming excessive resources.

Using the Terminal

htop

If htop isn’t installed:

sudo apt install htop

In htop, you can sort processes by CPU or memory usage to identify resource-heavy applications.

Optimizing Startup Performance

1. Delay Startup Applications

Delaying startup applications can spread the load over time, improving boot speed.

• Edit the .desktop file of the application:

  nano ~/.config/autostart/appname.desktop
  

• Add the following line:

  X-GNOME-Autostart-Delay=10
  

This delays the application’s start by 10 seconds.

2. Use Lightweight Alternatives

Replace heavy applications with lightweight alternatives:

• Web Browsing: Use Midori instead of Firefox or Chrome.
• Email: Use Geary instead of Thunderbird.
• Office Suite: Use AbiWord and Gnumeric instead of LibreOffice.

3. Disable Unnecessary Services

Check system services with:

systemctl list-unit-files --state=enabled

Disable unnecessary services:

sudo systemctl disable service-name

Automating Startup Management with Cron

You can use cron to schedule applications to start after login:

1. Open the crontab editor:

   crontab -e
   

2. Add an entry to start an application 1 minute after login:

   @reboot sleep 60 && /path/to/application
   

Save and exit.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. Application Fails to Start at Login

• Check the command in the .desktop file.

• Ensure the file is executable:

  chmod +x ~/.config/autostart/appname.desktop
  

2. Slow Boot Times Persist

• Review startup applications again.

• Check system logs for errors:

  journalctl -b -0
  

3. Application Starts Multiple Times

• Check for duplicate entries in ~/.config/autostart/ and /etc/xdg/autostart/.

Best Practices

• Review Regularly: Periodically review startup applications.
• Minimize Startup Load: Only allow essential applications to start automatically.
• Backup Configurations: Backup .desktop files before making changes.

Conclusion

Managing startup applications in Linux Mint is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance your system’s performance and boot speed. Whether you prefer the GUI or the terminal, Linux Mint offers flexible tools to control which applications launch at startup. By following this guide, you can optimize your system, reduce resource usage, and enjoy a faster, more responsive Linux Mint experience.

If you have any questions or tips to share, feel free to leave a comment below!