How to Install GNOME Disks Utility on Ubuntu and Configure It [5 Simple Steps]

Written by

Ojash

Reviewed by

Akshat

Last updated: July 26, 2023

Expert verified

GNOME Disks is a powerful utility that plays a crucial role in managing disk drives efficiently on Ubuntu systems. Whether you want to partition drives, create disk images, monitor disk health, or perform benchmark tests, GNOME Disks has got you covered. Say goodbye to cumbersome command-line tasks and embrace a visually intuitive interface that empowers you to manage your storage with ease. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through every aspect of installing, navigating, and utilizing the GNOME Disks utility to its fullest potential on your Ubuntu machine.

How to Install GNOME Disks Utility on Ubuntu

To install GNOME Disks Utility on Ubuntu, you only need a system running Ubuntu 16.04 or later with the GNOME desktop environment. Ensure you have adequate free disk space for installation and disk management tasks. To install GNOME Disks utility on Ubuntu, follow these simple steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open a Terminal window on your Ubuntu system.

2. Type the following command and hit Enter to update the package list:

<strong>sudo apt update</strong>

3. This command updates the list of available packages from the software repositories, ensuring that you have access to the latest package information.

4. Type the following command and hit Enter to install GNOME Disks:

<strong>sudo apt install gnome-disk-utility</strong>

5. This command will install GNOME Disks Utility package, allowing you to access and use the utility for disk management tasks on your Ubuntu system.

How to Configure GNOME Disks Utility on Ubuntu

Configuring GNOME Disks utility on Ubuntu empowers users to harness the full potential of their disk management tasks with ease. By mastering the configuration options of GNOME Disks, you can fine-tune your Ubuntu system’s storage management to suit your specific needs and ensure optimal disk health and performance.

1. How to Identify Connected Drives and Partitions

To identify the drives and partitions connected to your system:

1. Open the GNOME Disks application from the Applications menu.

2. In the Devices pane, all connected drives and their respective partitions will be listed.

2. Viewing Drive Details and SMART Data

GNOME Disks allows you to view detailed information about your drives and access SMART data for monitoring drive health:

1. Click on the drive you want to examine in the Devices pane. The Volumes pane will display information about the selected drive, including model, capacity, and usage.

3. Managing Drive Properties and Settings

GNOME Disks enables you to manage drive properties and settings, such as changing the mount options, labels, and formatting partitions:

1. Click on the partition you wish to manage in the Volumes pane.

2. Use the gear icon to access options for formatting, editing mount options, and setting partition flags.

4. Conducting Disk Read/Write Benchmark Tests

To benchmark your disks with GNOME Disks:

1. Launch GNOME Disks from the Applications menu. Choose the drive you want to benchmark. Click on the disk option icon, and then click on Benchmark Disk.

2. Click on the Start Benchmark button.

3. Now set the values for the benchmark test as per your requirements.

4. Enter the password then click on the authenticate button to start the benchmarking process.

5. The output will be:

5. Improving Disk Performance with TRIM and Other Techniques

For SSDs, enabling TRIM is essential to maintain optimal performance:

1. TRIM should be automatically enabled for most modern Linux systems and SSDs. To verify, run the following command in the Terminal:

<strong>sudo systemctl status fstrim.timer</strong>

2. After execution, the command will show the status.

Common Errors When Installing and Using GNOME Disks Utility

GNOME Disks is a powerful disk management utility for Ubuntu users. However, like any software, you can encounter some common errors when you install GNOME Disks and during their usage. By being aware of these common errors and their solutions, you can maximize the benefits of GNOME Disks while effectively managing your disk drives on Ubuntu. Here are five common errors with possible solutions:

• 🛠️ Installation Dependency Issues: Sometimes, during installation, GNOME Disks may encounter dependency errors, leading to a failed installation. This typically happens when required packages are missing or not up-to-date. To resolve this, ensure your system is updated with the latest package information using sudo apt update, and then attempt to install GNOME Disks again.
• 🔄 Missing Drive Detection: One common issue users face is GNOME Disks failing to detect connected drives or partitions. This could be due to driver conflicts or system-related errors. To troubleshoot, try reconnecting the drive or restarting your system. If the issue persists, check if the drive is detected in the system’s Disk Utility or use Terminal commands like lsblk or fdisk to confirm its visibility.
• 💽 Unable to Format Partitions: Users may encounter difficulties formatting partitions using GNOME Disks. This issue could arise due to insufficient permissions or a corrupted filesystem. To resolve this, ensure you have administrative privileges by using sudo when accessing GNOME Disks. If formatting still fails, try formatting the partition using a different filesystem type or utilize the command-line tool mkfs.
• 🔌 Drive Not Mounting: In some cases, users may find that drives are not mounting correctly through GNOME Disks. This can be caused by incorrect mount options or filesystem errors. To address this, manually mount the drive using the Terminal and check for any filesystem inconsistencies using tools like fsck. Also, ensure that the mount point exists and is accessible.
• 🚫 Missing SMART Data: GNOME Disks relies on SMART data to monitor drive health. However, some drives may not provide SMART data, leading to its absence in the application. To check if SMART is enabled, use the Terminal command sudo systemctl status smartd. If your drive doesn’t support SMART, consider using alternative disk monitoring tools.

To Sum Up

I hope this comprehensive guide has provided you with the step-by-step guide to install Gnome Disks utility on Ubuntu, how to configure and navigate its user interface, and how to address common errors that might arise during installation and usage. By mastering GNOME Disks, you can efficiently manage your disk drives, create bootable USB drives, and perform various disk management tasks with ease.

As you continue your journey in the world of Ubuntu and Linux, I encourage you to explore other essential tools and utilities that can further enhance your experience. Consider exploring into articles on system backup strategies, optimizing Ubuntu system for performance, and powerful Terminal commands for advanced disk management. Stay tuned for more in-depth guides on Linux system administration, security, and software development to elevate your skills and become a Linux guru.

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