Enhance README with new features and clarifications
Updated README to include additional details about the conversion script, including new features, requirements, and usage instructions.
This commit is contained in:
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High-risk, best-effort **in-place conversion** script that keeps **Ubuntu as the base OS** while adding **Linux Mint repositories + Mint desktop/tooling** to approximate a Linux Mint system without a full reinstall.
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High-risk, best-effort **in-place conversion** script that keeps **Ubuntu as the base OS** while adding **Linux Mint repositories + Mint desktop/tooling** to approximate a Linux Mint system without a full reinstall.
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This project is intended for experienced Linux admins who understand APT, repo pinning, and rollback strategies.
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This project is intended for experienced Linux admins who understand APT, repo pinning, display managers, and rollback strategies.
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> ⚠️ **Warning (Read This First)**
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> ⚠️ **Warning (Read This First)**
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> There is **no guaranteed safe** way to convert Ubuntu to Linux Mint in-place and preserve *all* corporate software/agents.
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> There is **no guaranteed safe** way to convert Ubuntu to Linux Mint in-place and preserve *all* corporate software/agents.
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> EDR/MDM/VPN/compliance tooling may break and require re-enrollment. Use this only if you accept that risk.
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> EDR/MDM/VPN/compliance tooling may break and require re-enrollment. Use this only if you accept that risk.
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## What changed in the latest script (v4.2)
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- **Convert-only “unsupported migration” disclaimer gate** (requires typing: `I UNDERSTAND THIS IS UNSUPPORTED`)
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- Defaults to **LightDM + slick-greeter** and explicitly sets the **default desktop session**
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- **X11 is the default session preference** (safer for conversions/corporate tooling)
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- Added `--prefer-wayland` (best-effort only; may fall back to X11 with a warning)
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- Improved Mint repo key handling:
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- `--overwrite-keyring` / `--recreate-keyring`
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- automatic detection/repair if the keyring exists but doesn’t contain the expected key
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- HKPS → HKP:80 → HTTPS fallback, with **atomic keyring writes**
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- Improved plan mode: uses a temporary APT environment (no changes to system APT files)
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## What this does
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## What this does
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- Detects supported Ubuntu bases:
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- Detects supported Ubuntu bases:
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- **Ubuntu 24.04 (noble)** → targets **Linux Mint 22.x** (default **22.3 “zena”**)
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- **Ubuntu 24.04 (noble)** → targets **Linux Mint 22.x** (default target: **zena**)
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- **Ubuntu 22.04 (jammy)** → targets **Linux Mint 21.x** (default **21.3 “virginia”**)
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- **Ubuntu 22.04 (jammy)** → targets **Linux Mint 21.x** (default target: **virginia**)
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- Adds the Linux Mint package repository (`packages.linuxmint.com`)
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- Adds the Linux Mint package repository (`packages.linuxmint.com`)
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- Keeps Ubuntu repos for the underlying base system
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- Keeps Ubuntu repos for the underlying base system
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- Installs Mint meta-packages (desktop + tooling)
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- Installs Mint meta-packages (desktop + tooling)
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- Applies conservative APT pinning so Ubuntu remains the default for overlapping packages
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- Applies conservative APT pinning so Ubuntu remains the default for overlapping packages
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- Includes safety checks, dry-run planning, and rollback support
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- Includes safety checks, dry-run planning, and rollback support
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- Sets **display manager + greeter + default session** based on `--edition`
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## What this does *not* do
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## What this does *not* do
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@@ -26,6 +44,9 @@ This project is intended for experienced Linux admins who understand APT, repo p
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- It does **not** guarantee your machine remains compliant in managed enterprise environments.
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- It does **not** guarantee your machine remains compliant in managed enterprise environments.
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- It does **not** guarantee perfect package resolution—APT may still want to remove packages.
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- It does **not** guarantee perfect package resolution—APT may still want to remove packages.
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- Rollback restores `/etc/apt`, but may not remove packages installed during conversion (use snapshots/Timeshift for full reversion).
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- Rollback restores `/etc/apt`, but may not remove packages installed during conversion (use snapshots/Timeshift for full reversion).
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- `--prefer-wayland` is **best-effort** and may fall back to X11 depending on what sessions are available and LightDM compatibility.
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## Requirements
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## Requirements
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@@ -35,10 +56,13 @@ This project is intended for experienced Linux admins who understand APT, repo p
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- Internet access to:
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- Internet access to:
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- Ubuntu mirrors (or your corporate mirror)
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- Ubuntu mirrors (or your corporate mirror)
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- `packages.linuxmint.com`
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- `packages.linuxmint.com`
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- key retrieval endpoints (HKPS/HKP/HTTPS fallbacks)
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- Recommended:
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- Recommended:
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- **Timeshift** snapshot configured
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- **Timeshift** snapshot configured
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- Full-disk backup or VM snapshot
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- Full-disk backup or VM snapshot
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## Quick start
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## Quick start
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### 1) Clone and run doctor checks
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### 1) Clone and run doctor checks
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@@ -60,7 +84,7 @@ sudo bash ubuntu-to-mint-convert-v3.sh plan --edition cinnamon
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Plan mode simulates APT changes using a **temporary APT environment** (it does not modify your system’s APT sources).
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Plan mode simulates APT changes using a **temporary APT environment** (it does not modify your system’s APT sources).
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It will fetch the Linux Mint repository signing key into a **temporary keyring** for the simulation.
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It will fetch the Linux Mint repository signing key into a **temporary keyring** for the simulation.
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> Note: If `gnupg`/`dirmngr` are missing, plan mode may install them so it can import and dearmor the Mint signing key.
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> Note: If `curl`/`gnupg`/`dirmngr` are missing, plan mode may require installing prerequisites if you run with `--auto-fix`.
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> No repository files on your system are changed by plan mode.
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> No repository files on your system are changed by plan mode.
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### 3) Run conversion
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### 3) Run conversion
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@@ -69,38 +93,46 @@ It will fetch the Linux Mint repository signing key into a **temporary keyring**
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sudo bash ubuntu-to-mint-convert-v3.sh convert --i-accept-the-risk --edition cinnamon
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sudo bash ubuntu-to-mint-convert-v3.sh convert --i-accept-the-risk --edition cinnamon
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```
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```
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You can skip interactive confirmation with `--yes`:
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You can skip the secondary confirmation prompt with `--yes`:
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```bash
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```bash
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sudo bash ubuntu-to-mint-convert-v3.sh convert --i-accept-the-risk --edition cinnamon --yes
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sudo bash ubuntu-to-mint-convert-v3.sh convert --i-accept-the-risk --edition cinnamon --yes
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```
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```
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> The **big red unsupported disclaimer** is still required during `convert` even if `--yes` is set.
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### 4) Reboot and validate
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### 4) Reboot and validate
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After conversion:
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After conversion:
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1. Reboot
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1. Reboot
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2. Select your chosen desktop session at login
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2. Login via LightDM (slyck-greeter) and confirm your default session loads
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3. Validate:
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3. Validate:
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* VPN connectivity
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* VPN connectivity (GlobalProtect, etc.)
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* EDR/MDM agents + compliance posture
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* EDR/MDM agents + compliance posture (CrowdStrike Falcon, etc.)
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* Corporate certificates / SSO
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* Corporate certificates / SSO
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* NetworkManager
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* NetworkManager
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* Printers
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* Printers
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* Smartcards / YubiKey
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* Smartcards / YubiKey
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* Cameras/audio
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* Cameras/audio
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## Usage
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## Usage
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```text
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```text
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sudo bash ubuntu-to-mint-convert-v3.sh doctor
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sudo bash ubuntu-to-mint-convert-v3.sh doctor [--auto-fix]
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sudo bash ubuntu-to-mint-convert-v3.sh plan [options]
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sudo bash ubuntu-to-mint-convert-v3.sh plan [options]
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sudo bash ubuntu-to-mint-convert-v3.sh convert --i-accept-the-risk [options]
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sudo bash ubuntu-to-mint-convert-v3.sh convert --i-accept-the-risk [options]
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sudo bash ubuntu-to-mint-convert-v3.sh rollback /root/ubuntu-to-mint-backup-YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS
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sudo bash ubuntu-to-mint-convert-v3.sh rollback /root/ubuntu-to-mint-backup-YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS
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```
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```
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### Options
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## Options
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### Core
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* `--edition cinnamon|mate|xfce`
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* `--edition cinnamon|mate|xfce`
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Desktop edition meta-package to install (default: `cinnamon`).
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Desktop edition meta-package to install (default: `cinnamon`).
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@@ -112,19 +144,49 @@ sudo bash ubuntu-to-mint-convert-v3.sh rollback /root/ubuntu-to-mint-backup-YYYY
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* Ubuntu `jammy`: `virginia`, `victoria`, `vera`, `vanessa`
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* Ubuntu `jammy`: `virginia`, `victoria`, `vera`, `vanessa`
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* `--mint-mirror <url>`
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* `--mint-mirror <url>`
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Override Mint mirror base URL (default: `http://packages.linuxmint.com`)
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Override Mint mirror base URL (default: `https://packages.linuxmint.com`).
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### Safety / APT behavior
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* `--keep-ppas`
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* `--keep-ppas`
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Do not disable third-party APT sources (not recommended).
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Do not disable third-party APT sources (not recommended).
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* `--preserve-snap`
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* `--allow-unhold`
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Keep Snap working even if Mint preferences attempt to disable it (default: enabled).
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Temporarily unhold held packages during conversion (risky; holds are re-applied later).
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* `--with-recommends`
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* `--with-recommends`
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Allow installation of recommended packages (default: off for safety).
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Allow installation of recommended packages (default: off for safety).
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* `--auto-fix`
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For `doctor`/`plan`: allow basic dpkg/apt remediation and install missing tool prerequisites.
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* `--yes`
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* `--yes`
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Skip interactive confirmation prompt.
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Skip the secondary interactive confirmation prompt inside convert (does **not** bypass the main disclaimer gate).
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### Snap handling
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* `--preserve-snap` (default)
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Keep Snap working even if Mint preferences attempt to disable it.
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* `--no-preserve-snap`
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Do not try to preserve Snap behavior.
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### Keyring handling
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* `--overwrite-keyring`
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Overwrite the Mint repo keyring if it exists.
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* `--recreate-keyring`
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Back up the existing keyring and recreate it from scratch.
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### Wayland / X11 behavior
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* (default) **Prefers X11 session**
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Safer for conversions and enterprise desktop tooling.
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* `--prefer-wayland`
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Best-effort attempt to prefer Wayland if it is **LightDM-compatible** (otherwise warns and falls back to X11).
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## Safety model (important)
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## Safety model (important)
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* Refuses to run unless on supported Ubuntu bases
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* Refuses to run unless on supported Ubuntu bases
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* Detects and blocks active APT/dpkg locks
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* Detects and blocks active APT/dpkg locks
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* Attempts to repair basic dpkg/apt broken states
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* Attempts to repair basic dpkg/apt broken states
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* Disables PPAs by default during conversion
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* Disables PPAs by default during conversion (while attempting to preserve vendor repos for Falcon/GlobalProtect when identifiable)
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* Runs an APT simulation and aborts if:
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* Runs an APT simulation and aborts if:
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* APT wants to remove critical packages (e.g., `sudo`, `systemd`, `network-manager`, kernel packages, `snapd`)
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* APT wants to remove critical packages (e.g., `sudo`, `systemd`, `network-manager`, kernel packages, `snapd`)
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* too many removals are detected
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* too many removals are detected
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* Writes detailed logs and creates a backup folder for rollback
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* Writes detailed logs and creates a backup folder for rollback
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* Validates post-conversion basics (LightDM default, session file, NetworkManager, apt health, and best-effort checks for Falcon/GlobalProtect presence)
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## Logs and backups
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## Logs and backups
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@@ -164,8 +228,10 @@ Contains:
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* `/etc/apt` backup
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* `/etc/apt` backup
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* package inventories (`apt-manual`, holds, dpkg list)
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* package inventories (`apt-manual`, holds, dpkg list)
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* enabled systemd services list
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* enabled systemd services list
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* snap/flatpak lists (if installed)
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* simulation output
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* simulation output
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* (if present) saved list of held packages (when `--allow-unhold` is used)
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* (if used) disabled third-party sources captured for restore
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## Rollback
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## Rollback
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@@ -182,6 +248,7 @@ sudo apt-get -f install
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> For full restoration use Timeshift / snapshot / backup.
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> For full restoration use Timeshift / snapshot / backup.
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## Recommended workflow (for best odds)
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## Recommended workflow (for best odds)
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1. Test in a VM first (same Ubuntu version and similar package set)
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1. Test in a VM first (same Ubuntu version and similar package set)
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@@ -194,6 +261,7 @@ sudo apt-get -f install
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5. Reboot and validate corporate tooling
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5. Reboot and validate corporate tooling
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## Troubleshooting
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## Troubleshooting
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### APT update fails after conversion
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### APT update fails after conversion
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@@ -201,7 +269,7 @@ sudo apt-get -f install
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* Check:
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* Check:
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* `/etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list`
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* `/etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list`
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* Mint mirror reachable
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* Mint mirror reachability
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* corporate proxy settings
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* corporate proxy settings
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* If needed:
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* If needed:
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* Boot to a TTY (`Ctrl+Alt+F3`)
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* Boot to a TTY (`Ctrl+Alt+F3`)
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* Inspect:
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* Inspect:
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* `/var/log/syslog`
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* `journalctl -b -p err`
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* `journalctl -b -p err`
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* Consider switching display manager or reinstalling desktop meta packages:
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* Consider reinstalling LightDM and the greeter:
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* `sudo apt-get install --reinstall lightdm slick-greeter`
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```bash
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sudo apt-get install --reinstall lightdm slick-greeter
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```
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### Keyserver blocked / key import fails
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* The script attempts HKPS → HKP:80 → HTTPS fallback.
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* If a keyring already exists and is broken, try:
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```bash
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sudo bash ubuntu-to-mint-convert-v3.sh convert --i-accept-the-risk --recreate-keyring
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```
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### Corporate VPN/EDR breaks
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### Corporate VPN/EDR breaks
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* Validate kernel modules, certificate stores, and PAM stack
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* Validate kernel modules, certificate stores, and PAM stack
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## Security & compliance considerations
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## Security & compliance considerations
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If this is a corporate-managed device:
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If this is a corporate-managed device:
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@@ -234,6 +313,7 @@ If this is a corporate-managed device:
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* Expect that security tooling may detect drift and require remediation
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* Expect that security tooling may detect drift and require remediation
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## License
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## License
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Copyright (C) 2026 LINUXexpert.org
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Copyright (C) 2026 LINUXexpert.org
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@@ -242,8 +322,7 @@ This project is licensed under the **GNU General Public License v3.0**.
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See the `LICENSE` file or the header in `ubuntu-to-mint-convert-v3.sh`.
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See the `LICENSE` file or the header in `ubuntu-to-mint-convert-v3.sh`.
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## Disclaimer
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## Disclaimer
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This project is provided as-is. You assume all risk for system instability, data loss, or compliance impact. Always have a tested restore path before running.
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This project is provided as-is. You assume all risk for system instability, data loss, or compliance impact. Always have a tested restore path before running.
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```
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Reference in New Issue
Block a user