After installing elementary OS 6 “Odin,” first check for updates, then set up the software, permissions, workspaces, shortcuts, and accessibility options you will actually use. Odin was announced on August 10, 2021; treat these as setup steps for OS 6, not evidence that it is the current elementary OS release or that it still receives security updates.
1. Check AppCenter for updates
Open AppCenter and select the Installed tab to look for both application and operating-system updates. Elementary’s official “Learning The Basics” guide recommends installing updates frequently for features, fixes, and security improvements. That documents the update workflow; it does not establish that Odin currently receives updates.
Install available updates before adding optional software, then check again periodically. The exact updates offered depend on what is available to your installation.
2. Check for firmware updates
Odin introduced firmware updates powered by the Linux Vendor Firmware Service (LVFS). Look in the system’s firmware or update controls, if available, and review any offered update before installing it. Whether an update appears depends on the computer and supported hardware; an empty list does not mean every device is fully up to date.
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Elementary’s August 10, 2021 release announcement describes this feature, but does not imply that every manufacturer or device provides firmware through it.
3. Start with AppCenter for apps
Use AppCenter, elementary OS’s built-in app store, as the first place to look for everyday software. It offers curated apps, including free and pay-what-you-can options. Some third-party programs—particularly cross-platform software not made with elementary OS in mind—may not be listed.
AppCenter curation means elementary has reviewed the listed apps; it is not a guarantee that every app suits your needs. Availability and payment choices are properties of individual apps.
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4. Sideload only when you trust the source
If an app is not in AppCenter, a provider may offer a Flatpak bundle or reference file. Odin’s Sideload utility can open downloaded .flatpak and .flatpakref files. Before installing one, verify that it comes from the software publisher or another source you trust.
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5. Review application permissions
Open System Settings → Applications → Permissions to inspect the controls available on your installation. Review access app by app, especially after installing software outside AppCenter, and disable access you do not want an app to have where the controls allow it.
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Odin’s release announcement documents per-application permission controls and a Sideload shortcut to this settings area. The permissions shown can vary by app and installation, so do not assume every type of access has a toggle.
6. Set your security and privacy preferences
Take a moment to review the security and privacy options available in System Settings, including any choices related to screen locking or personal information. Choose settings that fit how you use the computer, especially if other people can access it. Names and availability can differ across Odin updates and hardware, so use the controls actually shown on your system rather than expecting a particular option to appear.
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7. Organize work with workspaces
Use separate workspaces to keep unrelated tasks apart—for example, one for writing and research and another for messages. Elementary describes workspaces as a way to organize work by task. Try the arrangement that fits your routine, then move windows between workspaces as needed.
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Workspaces are a built-in organizational tool, not a requirement to follow a fixed layout. Keeping the number of active spaces manageable can make it easier to find the window you want.
8. Tune multitasking behavior
Go to System Settings → Desktop → Multitasking and review the available options for hot corners and window or workspace behavior. Set hot corners only for actions you expect to use; an accidental trigger can interrupt work. Adjust the other controls to match how you switch between windows and spaces.
Odin’s release announcement documents expanded multitasking settings, but the available controls may depend on the installed build. There is no single best arrangement for every user.
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9. Learn the keyboard shortcuts you will use
Open the keyboard shortcut controls available on your system and learn a small set of shortcuts for common actions such as switching windows or workspaces. Elementary highlights shortcuts as part of its desktop workflow. Check the current on-screen shortcut list rather than relying on a list for a different OS release, and change a binding only if it conflicts with your existing habits.
10. Personalize display, accessibility, and power settings
Adjust display and appearance options—such as resolution, scaling, or theme choices where available—to make the desktop comfortable on your screen. Then inspect accessibility settings and enable the tools that suit your needs. Odin’s release announcement notes accessibility improvements and a Universal Access indicator for features such as Screen Reader, Onscreen Keyboard, and Dwell Click; the options you see can vary by installation.
Finally, review power preferences for how the computer behaves when idle or on battery, if those controls are present. Set them around your work and mobility needs rather than assuming the same choice suits every device.
Version context
Odin is elementary OS 6, announced in 2021. Elementary’s December 2021 announcement for OS 6.1 described that release as building on Odin, while the current elementary homepage lists ARM 64-bit and Intel/AMD 64-bit download choices. Those current download choices are not confirmation of Odin’s present support status. Early OS 6 updates also addressed compatibility and driver-related issues, so hardware behavior can differ between computers.
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