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If my Linux installation disappeared tomorrow, I wouldn’t start by reinstalling seven apps blindly. I’d first restore access to my data and accounts, then rebuild the tools I actually rely on. My shortlist would be a web browser, password manager, file-sync tool, terminal utilities, code editor, office suite, and media player—but which ones you need depends on your distribution and workflow.
A fresh desktop may already include several of these. Ubuntu’s 26.04 documentation, last updated June 17, 2026, notes that many useful programs are installed by default; you can add others from Ubuntu or third-party sources. Ubuntu’s software guide is a useful reminder to check what is present before reinstalling it.
Before reinstalling apps, make recovery possible
Programs and the data they manage are different things. Reinstalling an application does not necessarily restore its settings, files, or account access. Before wiping or rebuilding a system, I would make sure I can sign in to the accounts that hold my data and know where any important local files and configuration are backed up.
- Keep a current backup of personal files and any application data that is not synced elsewhere.
- Confirm you can access your email and other accounts needed to recover passwords or enable two-factor authentication.
- Keep Linux installation media available. Ubuntu links to instructions for creating a bootable USB stick, but the documentation cited here does not specify a universal USB capacity or a product recommendation. Ubuntu Desktop documentation
The first seven things I’d reinstall or set up
1. A web browser
The browser is one of the first tools I need for account recovery, documentation, and downloading anything not included with the desktop. Firefox is one option; if it is already installed, I would check its profile and sign-in state rather than install a second copy automatically.
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Firefox installation on Linux depends on the distribution and package format. Mozilla documents distribution packages, its DEB and RPM repositories, Flatpak, Snap, and tarball builds. Mozilla notes that a distribution’s package manager handles Firefox and the libraries it requires in the way that distribution expects, though updates may arrive later than upstream releases. Use the instructions for your distribution and packaging method in Mozilla’s Linux installation guide.
A fresh Firefox install does not automatically bring back the old profile. Mozilla documents profile migration from prior Snap and Flatpak locations and also points to Sync as a migration option. The profile location depends on how Firefox was installed, so follow the matching instructions rather than copying files from a guessed path. Mozilla’s installation and profile guidance
2. A password manager
I would set up my password manager early because it can unlock access to the rest of my accounts. The important part is having a recovery route: reinstalling the application alone does not recreate a vault. Bitwarden says users and organizations are responsible for making and securely storing their own vault backups; its point-in-time restore is intended for vendor disaster recovery, not as a substitute for a user’s backup.
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Bitwarden also documents different Linux local-storage locations for standard, Flatpak, and Snap installations. That difference matters if you are trying to recover local data. Check the relevant installation method and maintain a separate, secure vault backup. Bitwarden’s data storage guidance
3. A file-sync tool
A sync client makes it easier to bring back working files that are stored with a service I already use. I would reinstall the client only after confirming which folders it should sync and whether the files are actually present remotely; sync is not automatically the same as a separate backup, especially if deletions or unwanted changes are replicated.
This is a workflow-dependent pick, not a Linux requirement. If your important files live on an external drive or another system, you may not need a desktop sync application at all.
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4. The terminal tools I use regularly
I would restore a small set of command-line utilities that I use for everyday tasks, rather than copy an old system wholesale. What belongs here depends on the work: a developer, system administrator, and casual desktop user may have very different needs.
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5. A code or text editor
If I use an editor for scripts, configuration, or notes, I would reinstall it and then restore only the settings and extensions I actually need. Editor preferences can be easy to forget, so a backed-up settings export or documented configuration is more useful than assuming the program install contains them.
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For a reader who does not edit code or plain-text files, this item can be skipped; a default text editor may already be enough.
6. An office suite
I would add an office suite only if my work involves documents, spreadsheets, or presentations that need desktop editing. Some Linux distributions include office software by default, so I would check the application menu before installing another suite. I would separately restore the documents themselves from backup or sync; reinstalling the suite does not recover them.
7. A media player
A media player is useful if I keep local audio or video files, but many desktops already include one. I would test the default player first and add another only if it does not handle the formats or workflow I need. My media files still need their own backup or sync plan.
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- BOOT SETTINGS VARY - Boot-menu keys and UEFI settings differ by manufacturer; consult the computer maker's instructions if the USB is not listed.
- BACK UP BEFORE INSTALLING - Disk-partition and installation choices can erase files or operating systems. Disconnect nonessential drives and preserve the USB until it is no longer needed for installation or recovery.
Make the next rebuild less painful
Once the system is working, I would record the essentials: distribution and release, the applications I added, how each was installed, and where important application data or settings are stored. Keep that note with the file backup, not only on the machine being rebuilt. For applications whose data is account-based, confirm that the account is accessible; for local data, document and back up the relevant files.
The goal is not to preserve every detail of a failed installation. It is to restore access to important data first, then rebuild a small, known-good set of tools without mistaking installed apps for recovered information.
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