Missing System Settings after removing some packages

Question

I installed or uninstalled some packages. I do not even remember what I was doing. As a result, now I can't see most of the system settings in settings window. Any idea how to solve this problem.

When I hover mouse over the window title, it shows 'Unknown Application name' I must have removed something, not sure what :-)

Answer 1

You may have accidentally removed some packages (or some dependencies which caused the package to uninstall). In any case, you may try installing (or re installing) the package ubuntu-desktop. Correct any accidental package uninstallation by:

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop

Answer 2

Uninstall and then reinstall System Settings (unity-control-center) from the Ubuntu Software Center application.

Or run this command in terminal

1. sudo apt-get remove unity-control-center
2. sudo apt-get install unity-control-center

Answer 3

If reinstalling ubuntu-desktop still doesn't cut it for you, you may be accessing system settings in a wrong way. Try to open them directly from a terminal (rather than a bogus shortcut like I was):

gnome-control-center

Answer 4

Yep removing a few programs as suggested BY Ubuntu left settings LOST.

and I had noticed in rem, moving the package, that it also removed gnome-control-center.

Re-installing it solved the problem! find it in software or alternatively type this in a terminal ...

sudo apt install gnome-control-center

Always Trying to help, Mark

Answer 5

With Ubuntu 24.04 the commands are slightly changed.

Two commands are available, since Ubuntu 24.04 was shipped with an additional minimal GUI and apps version (see What is the difference between Ubuntu 24.04 Default (minimal) installation and Full installation?):

• For minimal installation:

  sudo apt install --reinstall ubuntu-desktop-minimal
  

• For full installation:

  sudo apt install --reinstall ubuntu-desktop