Ubuntu 21.04 has been unsupported since January 20, 2022. The steps below document a June 2021 experiment using a third-party PPA; they are not a safe recommendation for a current, internet-connected computer. Ubuntu 21.04 shipped with GNOME 3.38, not GNOME 40, and the PPA was explicitly described as testing-only.
Before you begin: this is historical, unsupported software
Ubuntu 21.04 (Hirsute Hippo) was released on April 22, 2021 and reached end of life on January 20, 2022. The Ubuntu Release Team confirmed that the release was no longer supported and would receive no more package updates. At that time, Ubuntu’s stated supported upgrade path from 21.04 was through Ubuntu 21.10. See the Ubuntu release table and the January 20, 2022 end-of-life announcement.
GNOME 40 was not the default desktop in Ubuntu 21.04. A June 2021 guide documented installing it from the shemgp/gnome-40 Personal Package Archive (PPA), a third-party package source rather than an Ubuntu-supported upgrade route. The guide quoted the PPA description as warning: “This PPA is just for testing. It sometimes breaks, especially when I’m upgrading the packages”. The Ubuntu GNOME wiki also cautions against GNOME staging packages and recommends using the GNOME version supplied with an Ubuntu release.
What the historical procedure did
The following records the steps described in the June 16, 2021 guide; it is not verified for use today. Adding a PPA allows packages from its owner to participate in package upgrades, so only do so on a disposable test system if you understand and accept the risk. Canonical’s PPA documentation explains the general mechanism and makes clear that documenting it is not an endorsement of a particular PPA: users must trust its owner.
#1 Best Overall
- [ULTRA-RUGGED DESIGN] MIL-STD-810G and IP65 certified. Built to survive 6-foot drops, heavy rain, and extreme vibrations. Features a magnesium alloy chassis with an integrated carry handle for maximum portability
- [4G LTE - WORK ANYWHERE] Integrated 4G LTE Multi-Carrier Mobile Broadband. Stay connected to the internet in remote areas or on the road without relying on Wi-Fi or phone hotspots. True mobile freedom for field professionals
- [1200-NIT SUNLIGHT READABLE] 13.1" XGA Touchscreen with CircuLumin technology. At 1200 nits, it is nearly 4x brighter than a standard laptop, ensuring perfect visibility under direct, intense sunlight
- [LINUX UBUNTU PRE-INSTALLED] Fast, secure, and bloatware-free. Optimized for developers, network engineers, and diagnostic software that thrives in a stable, open-source environment
- [LEGACY SERIAL PORT] Features a native RS-232 Serial Port, HDMI, and USB 3.0. Essential for connecting directly to industrial machinery, CNCs, and automotive diagnostic tools without unreliable adapter
-
Add the third-party archive. The historical command was:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:shemgp/gnome-40Canonical’s general PPA instructions also call for refreshing package lists with
sudo apt-get update. This generic step does not validate the GNOME 40 archive or make its packages official Ubuntu packages. -
Review the package upgrade before accepting it. The guide used:
Rank #2
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Linux Laptop, 15.6" FHD Touchscreen Laptop, 8-Core AMD Ryzen 7 5825U, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Keypad, SD Card Reader, Stylus Pen + External Portable SSD + USB Hub, Linux Ubuntu OS- Powerful Linux Laptop: This IdeaPad Slim 3 Laptop comes pre-installed with Ubuntu Linux, offering fast performance, robust security, and a clean, user-friendly experience. Enjoy full customization, seamless hardware compatibility, and access to thousands of open-source apps. Whether you're working, creating, or coding, it's built to keep up with everything you do.
- A Multitasking Master: The latest AMD Ryzen 7 5825U processor (up to 4.5 GHz) delivers powerful performance with 8 cores and 16 threads for smooth multitasking. Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics provide crisp visuals for streaming, browsing, photo editing, and casual gaming. With smart machine intelligence, it adapts to your needs for a fast, responsive experience.
- 15.6" Full HD Display: The IdeaPad Slim 3 boasts an 88% screen-to-body ratio for a floating, edge-to-edge visual experience. TÜV Low Blue Light certification reduces eye strain, making it perfect for long work or study sessions.
- Military-Grade Durability: The smart IdeaPad Slim 3 combines portability and durability, letting you work, study, and play on the go. With a profile 10% slimmer than the previous generation, it's lightweight yet military-grade rugged, ready for anything, anywhere.
- Versatile Connectivity: Enjoy the security of a built-in webcam with a privacy shutter. Connect effortlessly with multiple ports: 2x USB A, 1x USB C, 1x HDMI, 1x SD Card Reader, 1x Headphone/Microphone combo. Bundle comes with Stylus Pen, 256GB Portable SSD and 5-in-1 Docking Station.
sudo apt full-upgradeRead the proposed changes carefully. The guide said to ensure that packages other than Ubuntu Dock were not slated for removal and to check that no packages were held. If the proposed removals or upgrade plan are unclear, stop rather than confirming it.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsSpecial offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Choose a compatible desktop session. The guide described using GNOME with the Adwaita theme, or a Yaru session built from the GNOME 40 branch of Yaru. It warned that the standard Ubuntu session might continue to use the older Yaru theme. Its optional GNOME-session setup included
gnome-session,adwaita-icon-theme-full, andfonts-cantarell; alternatively, it described building the GNOME 40 Yaru theme from source. These are details of the 2021 procedure, not current installation instructions. -
Restart and select the session. Reboot. At the login screen, select your username, open the gear menu, and choose the intended GNOME or Yaru session before signing in. The guide also mentioned Wayland and Xorg session choices, but did not establish a present-day compatibility recommendation between them.
Rank #3
64GB - 16-in-1, Bootable USB Drive 3.2 for Linux & Windows 11, Zorin | Mint | Kali | Ubuntu | Tails | Debian, Supported UEFI and Legacy- ✅For beginners, refer image-7, its a video boot instruction, and image-6 is "boot menu Hot Key list"
- ✅16-IN-1, 64GB Bootable USB Drive 3.2 , Can Run Linux On USB Drive Without Install, All Latest versions.
- ✅Including Windows 11 64Bit & Linux Mint 22.3 (Cinnamon)、Kali 2026.02、Ubuntu 26.04、Zorin Pro 18、Tails 7.8.1、Debian 13.5.0、Garuda 2026.03、Fedora Workstation 44、Manjaro 25.06、Pop!_OS 22.04、Solus 2026.04、Archcraft 26.05、Neon 2026.06、Fossapup 9.5、Sparkylinux 8.3, All ISO has been Tested
- ✅Supported UEFI and Legacy, Compatibility any PC/Laptop, Any boot issue only needs to disable "Secure Boot"
What may not work in the guide’s setup
The limitations below were reported by the 2021 guide about its setup, not independently verified as current behavior:
- Desktop Icons and Ubuntu Dock extensions would not work after the upgrade.
- Ubuntu’s Settings application would lack its Appearance section.
- Other components might not work correctly, and the PPA author described the archive as prone to breakage.
- The guide’s relevant session choices were GNOME with Adwaita or the GNOME 40 Yaru session; the standard Ubuntu session could retain the older theme.
Can you undo the PPA installation?
The historical guide suggested installing ppa-purge and asking it to remove the PPA while attempting to downgrade its packages to repository versions:
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
-
Install the utility:
sudo apt install ppa-purge -
Attempt the purge:
sudo ppa-purge ppa:shemgp/gnome-40Rank #4
Lenovo Business Laptop - Linux Mint (Cinnamon) - Intel i5-1335U, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 15.6" FHD 1920x1080 Display, Full Keyboard, Fast Charging- Intel Core i5-1335U Processor (12M Cache, 12 Threads, up to 4.6 GHz) - 256GB Solid State Drive - 16GB DDR4 SDRAM
- 15.6" FHD (1920x1080) Non-Touch Anti-Glare Display - Intel UHD 620 Integrated Graphics - Stereo Speakers
- 720p HD Webcam with Privacy Shutter. Integrated Microphone - Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC (2x2) 8265, Bluetooth Version 4.2
- I/O Ports: 2x USB 3.0, 1x USB 3.1 Type-C 3.1, Headphone/Mic Combo Port, 4-in-1 Card Reader, HDMI, Kensington Mini-Lock Slot
- Linux Mint (Cinnamon) 64-Bit - Keyboard with Full NumberPad - Fast Charging
This is not guaranteed recovery. The guide’s author reported that purging did not always work properly, so do not treat these commands as a reliable way to restore a damaged system. The Ubuntu GNOME wiki separately warns users to remove PPA packages before upgrading Ubuntu.
Should you use these steps now?
No—not on a system you rely on or connect to the internet. Ubuntu 21.04 no longer receives package updates, and this GNOME 40 route was an unstable, third-party experiment even when it was documented. The procedure is useful as historical documentation of how GNOME 40 was tested on Ubuntu 21.04, not as a present-day installation recommendation.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
