If you have recently installed or upgraded to Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope), one feature you will notice missing is the automatic update notification icon in the system tray on the top panel.
It's replacement is an annoying update manager that seems to have a mind of it's own.
Personally, I like the old notification icon that let me know of pending updates.
Instead, with Ubuntu 9.04, the update manager starts automatically and is displayed on screen when updates have been available for a week or more. You are informed of security updates within 24 hours, via a one time notification in the corner of the screen.
If you want to get back the normal notification icon method used in previous versions of Ubuntu, you can run a simple command or use gconf configuration tool to make the change (NOTE - the icon has been changed to a down arrow icon).
From Terminal Window
Using the command line, open a Terminal window, by clicking on Application \ Accessories \ Terminal from the top panel menu.
Then paste and enter the following command at the prompt:
gconftool -s --type bool /apps/update-notifier/auto_launch false
If you decide you want to revert back to the new notification method in Ubuntu 9.04, just use the following command:
gconftool -s --type bool /apps/update-notifier/auto_launch true
From GConf Tool
If you are not a fan of the command prompt, you can easily make this change using the GUI tool gconf editor.
Just press ALT-F2 on the keyboard, and in the run box, type gconf-editor then click on Run (enter your password if prompted).
Once the Configuration Editor opens, in the left pane, click on the arrow next to Apps, then scroll down to update-notifier and click on it.
In the right pane, uncheck the check box next to auto_launch and close the editor (changes are automatically saved).
(To revert back to new notification method in Ubuntu 9.04, just re-edit and check the box).
You will now have the old automatic update manager notification working again (with the new icon) displayed in the system tray next time an update is available.
Comments on How To Restore Automatic Update Notification Icon In Ubuntu 9.04
I followed the instructions and I no longer get the Update Manager popping up but it did not restore the icon to the system tray even though there are updates available.
Contrary to waht the article says, checking Autolaunch does not restore the old Update Notification Icon. I've tried this on three different PC's running Ubuntu 9.04. The author of the article is mistaken.
@Willie and Ed Hog.netan
Not sure why you don't see the notification icon. Did you upgrade from a previous version (my installation was new).
If you use the GUI tool - gconf-editor, make sure the box is unchecked (this may be where the confusion is with the article and I have corrected it).
On my system the icon appears when updates are available as shown in the following screen shots:
Hi,
Yes, unchecking does the trick!
Thanks for the article. Witohut it, I would not have known how to address the issue.
Ed
Thanks for your great post. It was very helpful. Also found a whole new way to tap into the Linux world using the GUI suggested.
works for my, thansk
works for me too, thank you!
and my installation is updated from 6.10 (edgy eft) and had no problem
Thanks, worked for me via the Configuration Editor. Good fix in my case, thanks again