Learning controls
Skip to learning
Lab Terminal
AlmaLinux Desktop ExperienceFree0 of 12 labs completeSave your progress →
ALMALINUX DESKTOP / 01 OF 12

Day-to-Day Operations with AlmaLinux Desktop Experience

Plan Your Everyday Linux Desktop

Thinking about using AlmaLinux every day? Let’s first check the apps and equipment you need, then try Linux inside a practice VM before changing your main computer.

AlmaLinux 9 x86_64 • GNOME • VMware-first practice · 0/12 classes self-verified
Pick a class · start at 1

01 / Install and Set Up

Plan Your Everyday Linux DesktopInstall AlmaLinux with GNOMEConfigure Your Desktop

02 / Everyday Skills

Learn the Commands You Use Every DayManage Files and Permissions

03 / Apps and Games

Install and Maintain Everyday AppsInstall Steam and Understand Proton

04 / Daily Administration

Configure Network, Printing and SharingAdd Storage from a Western Digital DriveBack Up Your Desktop and Restore a File

05 / Proficiency and Recovery

Troubleshoot Everyday Linux ProblemsConnect to Real AlmaLinux Terminal Output
GUIDED LAB / ONE STEP AT A TIME

Let’s work through it together

0 of 5 steps checked

What you’ll do in this lab

Check hardware, backups, application needs, and a VM-first route before replacing your daily OS.

5 steps · use “In this lab” to jump to a step.

LET’S GET READY

What you’ll need

  • You’ll need a Windows computer with VMware Workstation Pro and enough spare resources for a practice VM.
  • For this desktop exercise, plan 2 virtual CPU cores, 4 GB of memory minimum, 8 GB if your host can spare it, and a new 50 GB virtual disk.
  • Have a separate backup of important Windows files and a list of everyday apps, games, printers, and other devices you use.

Your first move: Open your notes and list the things you use your computer for each day, such as browsing, documents, video calls, and games.

WHERE TO WORK
AlmaLinux 9 GNOME desktop → Activities → Terminal, unless the step names Windows or VMware Workstation Pro.
STEP 1 OF 5

List what you need every day

Why this matters: A migration must have predictable private address space, routing and name resolution between its source and destination.

Follow these actions in order
  1. Write down browser, email, office documents, meetings, printers, games, VPN, and any Windows-only programs.
  2. Mark each as native Linux, web, or requires Windows.

What this does: Creating network resources or routes changes connectivity. Verify reachability and policy from both sides before migrating services.

What you should see

You have a short compatibility checklist before installation.

Keep this evidence: Save your own screenshot or notes showing the target, action, and observed result. Exclude passwords and private information.

See it on screen

Windows Notepad · text document and tabsActual interface reference · Windows 11 Notepad

Actual Microsoft publisher screenshot of Windows 11 Notepad. The publisher image includes its tabs headline and unrelated sample text. Use Notepad to write your own lab plan/evidence; do not copy that sample. Classic Server 2019 Notepad has no modern tab bar. Save your own file deliberately.

Microsoft Store / Microsoft Corporation · original publisher screenshot ↗Reference covers the pictured controls, not every action or your lab’s results.

Swipe the picture sideways on a small screen.

More setup details

A Windows host with VMware Workstation Pro; no existing disks need changing.

Final pass check

Your checklist, verified backup, and VM plan are ready.

Step checks are your notes, not proof that a server changed. Use the lesson’s existing verification control only after your evidence passes.

Need extra help? Computer terms and explanations
New to computers? Start with these words
VM
A practice computer that runs inside your real computer.
Host
The real computer running VMware. A remote host can also mean the computer you connect to.
Guest
The practice computer running inside VMware.
Terminal
An app where you type commands and read the computer’s reply.
sudo
Run one Linux command with administrator permission. Read it first.
Mount
Make a drive’s files available in a folder. This does not erase the drive.
Format
Create a new filesystem. This erases existing data on the selected volume.
Repository
A software source your package manager uses to find apps and updates.
DNS
The service that finds a computer’s IP address from its name.
IP address
A network address used to reach a computer.
Domain controller (DC)
A Windows server that checks domain accounts and shares domain information.
Active Directory (AD)
A directory of accounts, computers, and rules for a Windows domain.
GPO
A set of Windows settings that can apply to chosen users or computers.
ISO
A file containing an installation disc, which you can attach to a VM.
Backup
A separate copy you can use to recover your files. Test that it restores.
Partition
A section of a disk that can hold a filesystem.
UUID
A long identifier used to recognize a particular filesystem.
DNF
AlmaLinux’s tool for installing and updating system software.
Flatpak
A way to install desktop apps with their own runtimes and permissions.
Proton
A Steam compatibility tool that lets some Windows games run on Linux.
Verify
Check your own result before saying the task is finished.
Stop / rollback plan

Keep using the existing OS; no disk or boot settings were changed.

Key screens for this class · illustrated guide

Plan Your Everyday Linux Desktop — Check hardware, backups, application needs, and a VM-first route before replacing your daily OS.

Illustrated training reference, not a live lab capture. Panels may combine separate screens. Follow the exact values and commands in the written steps; compare results in your own lab.

Set up AlmaLinux 9 with GNOME

AlmaLinux 9 GNOME reference. Panels combine representative screens; follow the written steps and actual device identifiers. No screenshot authorizes formatting an existing drive.

AI-generated schematic training illustration; not an actual AlmaLinux or hardware capture.
Set up AlmaLinux 9 with GNOME — illustrated training guide
AlmaLinux 9 GNOME reference. Panels combine representative screens; follow the written steps and actual device identifiers. No screenshot authorizes formatting an existing drive.

Finished? Check your work

Your checklist, verified backup, and VM plan are ready.

Mark this only after checking your own results. Step notes and class verification are separate; this website does not detect changes on your computer.

Official references and version notes

Illustrations show representative screens, not exact product captures. Settings and package availability change between releases. Commands have not been executed against your hardware; use your own observed results.

AlmaLinux installation guide ↗AlmaLinux software repositories ↗Flathub AlmaLinux setup ↗Steam on Flathub ↗Valve Proton ↗GNOME desktop help ↗GNOME Disks help ↗