MX Linux Forum

I installed MX 23.6 yesterday. I believe I had previously been running either 23.5 or, through piecemeal upgrades, 23.6 already. I don't usually even keep track closely.

It runs fine, but I have encountered a problem that I think I had the last time I installed a new version. The new installation replaced many of my desktop settings without my approval (and my keyboard shortcuts, apparently), and this time I have been unable to restore them by simply copying from backups. I'm not sure why. But the forced changes are unwanted, unwelcome and intrusive to a user with mildly autistic habits (oh, please, I know I'm not the only such Linux user); and they have me looking at other distros. I discovered and installed MX in late 2014, and I have the impression that that was shortly after it was released; but if I can't install the latest version anymore without my settings being preserved, I'll disengage and move on after eleven years. I don't know why you designers thought this would be a good idea.

I suppose I can just go back to a slightly older version. And at least the new installion left more important things alone--my xfce-4 notes and my browser settings.

Xfce stores settings in 25 or so config files in ~/.config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml.

If you replace the folder or any files in it with backups the changes may not take effect immediately. You should log out and log back in, or reboot.

Forgive me for being blunt, but when you or anyone do a fresh install in that manner, you are going to get the default settings. That's just the way it is. Now, when you have set up this new system to your liking, use the Snapshot tool in MX tools to make a copy of your system which you can use to restore your setup in future (be sure to store it in an external location). You should also consider installing Timeshift and run the User Installed Packages tool (again save its output externally).

j2mcgreg wrote: Sun Jul 27, 2025 9:35 am Forgive me for being blunt, but when you or anyone do a fresh install in that manner, you are going to get the default settings. That's just the way it is. Now, when you have set up this new system to your liking, use the Snapshot tool in MX tools to make a copy of your system which you can use to restore your setup in future (be sure to store it in an external location). You should also consider installing Timeshift and run the User Installed Packages tool (again save its output externally).

Working on it. That wasn't particularly blunt, and certainly not inappropriately so. I have had someone in this forum taunt me for saying a problem was annoying, so I would know what constitues bluntness here.

interesting. if you preserved your home folder it should have worked as normal. at least, that's the intent.

one thing some folks don't realize, and its not obvious, is that you can't really copy the files in while Xfce is running.

dolphin_oracle wrote: Sun Jul 27, 2025 11:12 am interesting. if you preserved your home folder it should have worked as normal. at least, that's the intent.

one thing some folks don't realize, and its not obvious, is that you can't really copy the files in while Xfce is running.

I didn't know that. Do I need to not only use another account to copy, but temporarily avoid using Xfce regardless of account, by installing another desktop manager? I can do that.

hmm I think it should work if you us another account. settings are per user.

lonesomepoint wrote: Sun Jul 27, 2025 1:24 pm

dolphin_oracle wrote: Sun Jul 27, 2025 11:12 am interesting. if you preserved your home folder it should have worked as normal. at least, that's the intent.

one thing some folks don't realize, and its not obvious, is that you can't really copy the files in while Xfce is running.

I didn't know that. Do I need to not only use another account to copy, but temporarily avoid using Xfce regardless of account, by installing another desktop manager? I can do that.

Should be able to do it while running a Live session I would think.

uncle mark wrote: Sun Jul 27, 2025 2:10 pm Should be able to do it while running a Live session I would think.

Yep, that is what I would try.

FolloW-up. I hope it will not offend anyone that I chose to instead try first what was to me a method more sure to work: reinstall from a previous version--I used 23.4--then upgrade my way back up. I'll try these recommendations in a separate installation. But my method worked. All settings restored wth no permanent changes.