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Remove Zeitgeist startup entry

Overview​

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Linux.

These changes use Linux system commands to update your settings.

This script removes the Autostart entry that is used by the Zeitgeist package to start itself 1. The XDG Autostart specification defines a method for autostarting ordinary desktop entries on desktop environment startup 2. It is executed by desktop environments such as GNOME 3 and KDE 4.

This script uses Bash (Shell script) scripting language.

Not Advised

This script should only be used by advanced users. This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality. Do not run it without having backups and system snapshots.

Implementation Details

  • Language: bash

  • Required Privileges: Root/sudo access

  • Compatibility: Linux only

  • Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories​

This action belongs to Disable Zeitgeist activity logging category. Zeitgeist logs files opened, websites visited, conversations, and emails and provides this information over an API to applications. It serves as a comprehensive activity log and also makes it possible to determine relationships between items based on usage patterns. It stores computer use... Read more on category page ▶

Apply now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

  1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
  2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
  3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy​

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.

privacy.sexy instructions
  1. Open or download the desktop application
  2. Search for the script name: Remove Zeitgeist startup entry.
  3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download​

Irreversible Changes

This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.

  1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

    Download script

  2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Download revert script​

This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.

Download restore script

Alternative 3. Copy​

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

  1. Open Terminal

  2. Copy the following code:

Code to apply changes
file='/etc/xdg/autostart/zeitgeist-datahub.desktop'
backup_file="${file}.old"
if [ -f "$file" ]; then
  echo "File exists: $file."
  sudo mv "$file" "$backup_file"
  echo "Moved to: $backup_file."
else
  echo "Skipping, no changes needed."
fi
  1. Paste the code into terminal.
  2. Press Enter to apply the code.

Some scripts requires restarting your computer to take affect.

Copy restore code​

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code
file='/etc/xdg/autostart/zeitgeist-datahub.desktop'
backup_file="${file}.old"
if [ -f "$backup_file" ]; then
  echo "Backup file exists: $file."
  sudo mv "$backup_file" "$file"
  echo "Moved to: $file."
  echo "Successfully restored."
else
  >&2 echo "Failed to restore, backup file could not be found at $backup_file."
  >&2 echo "Was the change initially applied by privacy.sexy?"
fi

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