How to Install Neofetch on Linux Mint 21/20

Neofetch is a command-line tool that provides system information in a simple and easy-to-read format. It is available for Linux, macOS, and other Unix-like operating systems. It provides a quick and convenient way to view important information about your system, including the operating system, kernel, CPU, GPU, memory usage, and more. Neofetch is highly customizable, allowing users to modify the output format, display additional information, and add color blocks for improved readability.

This guide will demonstrate how to install Neofetch on Linux Mint using the command-line terminal. The command-line terminal is a powerful tool for installing and managing software on Linux Mint and can save time and effort compared to using a graphical package manager. By installing Neofetch, you can easily view important system information on your Linux Mint system and take advantage of the many customization options that Neofetch offers.

Update Linux Mint

Before installing any new software on your Linux Mint system, it is important first to update and upgrade your existing packages to avoid any conflicts or compatibility issues. This ensures that your system is running the latest version of all packages, which can help prevent errors and improve stability by opening your terminal and using the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Install Neofetch with APT

Neofetch is readily available in the Linux Mint and Ubuntu repositories, making the installation process straightforward and hassle-free. To get started with the installation, use the following command in the terminal to install Neofetch using the APT package manager:

sudo apt install neofetch

Neofetch Terminal Commands

neofetch

The most basic command to run Neofetch is “neofetch.” This will display a default output of system information in a graphical ASCII art format. The output includes the OS name and version, kernel version, CPU type and speed, GPU information, and memory usage, among other details.

neofetch

Example output:

neofetch –off

The “–off” option turns off ASCII art and displays system information in a plain-text format. This is useful if you want a quick overview of your system’s details without the graphical output.

neofetch --off

Example output:

neofetch –off –stdout

The “–stdout” option directs the output to the terminal’s standard output, which can be useful for scripting or piping the output to other programs. The “–off” option turns off ASCII art and displays system information in a plain-text format.

neofetch --off --stdout

Example output:

Following from the examples, here is a detailed overview of Neofetch commands:

Command	Explanation
neofetch	Displays system information in an ASCII art format.
neofetch --off	Displays system information in a plain-text format without ASCII art.
neofetch --color_blocks	Adds color blocks to the output for easier readability.
neofetch --ascii_distro	Displays an ASCII art representation of your Linux distribution’s logo.
neofetch --cpu_temp	Displays the current temperature of your CPU.
neofetch --memory_display	Displays memory usage as a progress bar.
neofetch --battery_display	Displays battery information for laptops with batteries.
neofetch --gtk2	Displays information on the installed GTK2 theme.
neofetch --gtk3	Displays information on the installed GTK3 theme.
neofetch --wm	Displays information on the window manager being used.
neofetch --wm_theme	Displays information on the window manager theme being used.
neofetch --kernel_shorthand	Displays the kernel version in a shorter format.
neofetch --song	Displays the currently playing song if a music player is running.
neofetch --uptime_shorthand	Displays the system uptime in a shorter format.
neofetch --distro_shorthand	Displays the distribution name in a shorter format.
neofetch --kernel_display	Displays kernel information.
neofetch --color_blocks_off	Disables color blocks in the output.
neofetch --no_cpu_brand	Disables the display of the CPU brand name.
neofetch --backend	Displays the backend being used to obtain system information.
neofetch --config	Displays the location of the configuration file.
neofetch --config_file	Specifies a different configuration file to use.
neofetch --help	Displays help information for Neofetch.

Additional Commands & Tips

Remove Neofetch

If you no longer need Neofetch on your system and wish to remove it, you can do so easily by using the appropriate command in the terminal. To remove Neofetch, use the following command:

sudo apt remove neofetch

Conclusion

In conclusion, Neofetch is a powerful and highly customizable command-line tool that provides system information in an easy-to-read format. With its ability to display information in an ASCII art format, Neofetch adds a touch of entertainment to the command-line experience while providing essential information about your system.