[HOW TO] Install Mint menu in Xubuntu

UPDATED: 25/07/12

Here's the instructions for adding the Linux Mint Menu to Xubuntu.

Linux Mint Menu running on Xubuntu 12.04

Install Mint Menu

NOTE: Before proceeding please confirm that you have Xfce 4.10 installed (Applications Menu > About Xfce), because xfce4-xfapplet-plugin depends on libxfce4util6 >= 4.9.0 and xfce4-panel >= 4.9.2 and those versions are available in the Xfce 4.10 Dev PPA. You can learn on how to install Xfce 4.10 here.

 

Copy and paste the line below on a terminal window. This line adds the Linux Mint repository and its key and then installs mintmenu and xfce4-xfapplet-plugin packages.

echo 'deb http://packages.linuxmint.com/ maya main upstream import' | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/linuxmint.list && key=3EE67F3D0FF405B2 && gpg --keyserver subkeys.pgp.net --recv-keys $key && gpg --armor --export $key | sudo apt-key add - && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install mintmenu xfce4-xfapplet-plugin

Add Mint Menu to Xfce Panel

  1. Right-click on Xfce panel and add a new item.

  2. Add XfApplet.

  3. Right-click on Xfce panel again and open panel preferences.

  4. Move XfApplet to the top of the list. You may also remove the "Applications Menu" item.

  5. Edit XfApplet item and add mintMenu applet.

References

Update Missing GPG Keys
How to Fix GPG No Public Key NO_PUBKEY Error During apt-get Update

Comments

  1. UnknownJuly 25, 2012 at 12:07 AM

    Nice, this is what I wanted ^^.

    I was planning to create the same tutoriel in french, I think that I will use the same line command as yours (With your permission of course xD).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wilson SantosJuly 25, 2012 at 12:18 AM

      You have my permission :)

      Delete
    2. UnknownJuly 25, 2012 at 10:06 PM

      Thanks Wilson.

      Unfortunately, in Xfce4.8 it needs libxfce4util6 4.9.0 and
      xfce4-panel 4.9.2, but it passes without problems in 4.10.

      So the solution to install the Mint menu for Xfce4.8 is quite complex for a beginner, who have a Xubuntu12.04 by default, better to have the 4.10 version before.

      Delete
    3. Wilson SantosJuly 25, 2012 at 10:22 PM

      Thank you for warning me about that issue. I'll update the post to include a note for Xfce 4.8 users, ASAP.

      Delete
    4. UnknownJuly 26, 2012 at 12:00 AM

      You're welcome ^^

      Also, have you installed some dependencies to Mate?

      Delete
    5. Wilson SantosJuly 26, 2012 at 9:49 AM

      As long as Xfce 4.10 is installed as described here: http://goo.gl/tCO2E, this solution will work fine. All dependencies are resolved automatically.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJuly 25, 2012 at 9:47 AM

    thank you very much! now i have a very good system.
    but what about startup sound in xubuntu? haw to make this?
    the best sound i've heard is from voyager linux and they have also conky a very small and usefull one in a single raw with dates about cpu ram network.

    http://voyager.legtux.org/

    when the page open you'll see the conky in the first picture under the panel.

    ReplyDelete
  3. shmoltzAugust 3, 2012 at 4:51 PM

    The menu is a light grey color. Is there a way to change this to match the system theme?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wilson SantosAugust 3, 2012 at 5:24 PM

      Open the menu preferences (right-click > Preferences), then go the "Theme" tab and select the "Greybird" theme (Xubuntu's default).

      It's a bit weird because choosing "Desktop theme" should display the dark gray menu button in the first place.

      Delete
  4. CarlAugust 16, 2012 at 5:59 PM

    First, much thanks for this excellent tutorial.

    I've noticed that right-clicking the menu and selecting "properties" doesn't seem to do anything. I'm also unable to find a way to resize the menu (assuming perhaps it would be via the properties option).

    Could you offer any advice?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wilson SantosAugust 16, 2012 at 6:40 PM

      Right-clicking and selecting "properties" isn't working for me either. But you can click "preferences" instead (it's the first option from the menu). There, I can a option to resize the menu by itself, but you can resize the icons thus resizing the menu.

      Delete
    2. CarlAugust 17, 2012 at 6:50 PM

      Talk about not seeing the wood for the trees! Thanks for this.

      Would you mind if I referenced this (and updating XFCE to version 4.10) in some youtube tutorials? I'll of course provide credit and links (I've already linked here in a review of Xubuntu - Channel VerityProductions).

      Thanks again.

      Delete
    3. Wilson SantosAugust 17, 2012 at 8:42 PM

      Yes, you may reference my articles.
      Looking forward to see those videos :)

      Delete
  5. AnonymousAugust 30, 2012 at 9:29 PM

    Trying to figure out how to get the mintmenu to pop open with the windows key, and idea?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wilson SantosAugust 30, 2012 at 10:01 PM

      Theoretically all it's needed it to change the keyboard shortcut to Super_L and then log out and log in, but it isn't working... I'll update as soon as I find a solution.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousOctober 8, 2012 at 8:57 AM

      I think I've found the solution: http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=206&t=100428#p574995

      Lucas

      PS: great blog!

      Delete
    3. Wilson SantosOctober 8, 2012 at 9:46 AM

      Thank you so much!

      I'll try to put the solution on a new article so that is easily available for others.

      Delete
  6. GeorgeSeptember 17, 2012 at 11:07 AM

    Hello and first off, thank you for the tut.

    I'm a linux noob, by accident. My main hard drive crashed and am now running a 8gb thumb drive with voyager. So far so great :)

    Right clicking the edit menu option isn't doing anything for me. How can i edit the menus ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wilson SantosSeptember 17, 2012 at 9:31 PM

      If you right click the menu button it'll show a menu which a "Preferences" as the first option and that'll provide you with a dialog for editing the menu. Please notice that the "Properties" option on the right-click menu doesn't do anything.

      Delete
    2. GeorgeSeptember 18, 2012 at 8:59 AM

      Sorry, maybe i wasn't clear enough.

      I would like edit my menu entries, can't do that with the preferences option. Only can change places and system, but not my applications.

      Thanks.

      Delete
    3. Wilson SantosSeptember 18, 2012 at 9:23 AM

      Please, see if this is what you're looking for: http://goo.gl/oKwLj

      Delete
    4. GeorgeSeptember 18, 2012 at 3:32 PM

      Thanks for the link but already gave that a shot, it doesn't change anything in the mint menu.

      Delete
    5. Wilson SantosSeptember 18, 2012 at 9:52 PM

      After trying alacarte myself, I noticed the its works, but not 100%. You should try the "Reload plugins" option on the right-click menu after creating and editing items and sometimes changes to items must be done by hand: http://goo.gl/om8wK

      I'm sorry for not having a better answer right now. I'll post a better solution as soon as I can find it.

      Delete
    6. cmcanultyOctober 6, 2012 at 10:48 PM

      cmcanulty@HPTech:~$ echo 'deb http://packages.linuxmint.com/ maya main upstream import' | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/linuxmint.list && key=3EE67F3D0FF405B2 && gpg --keyserver subkeys.pgp.net --recv-keys $key && gpg --armor --export $key | sudo apt-key add - && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install mintmenu xfce4-xfapplet-plugin
      [sudo] password for cmcanulty:
      deb http://packages.linuxmint.com/ maya main upstream import
      gpg: WARNING: unsafe enclosing directory permissions on configuration file `/home/cmcanulty/.gnupg/gpg.conf'
      gpg: external program calls are disabled due to unsafe options file permissions
      gpg: keyserver communications error: general error
      gpg: keyserver receive failed: general error
      cmcanulty@HPTech:~$ ^C
      cmcanulty@HPTech:~$
      so I need help to get around this

      Delete
    7. Wilson SantosOctober 7, 2012 at 12:09 AM

      @cmcanulty

      Please check if either the user 'cmcanulty' or the user 'root' is the owner of the file: '/home/cmcanulty/.gnupg/gpg.conf'. To accomplish this, use the command: 'ls -l /home/cmcanulty/.gnupg/gpg.conf' and check the value for the 3rd column.

      To correct the file owner use the command: 'sudo chown cmcanulty:cmcanulty /home/cmcanulty/.gnupg/gpg.conf'

      Once corrected just run the rest of the command to install the Mint menu: 'key=3EE67F3D0FF405B2 && gpg --keyserver subkeys.pgp.net --recv-keys $key && gpg --armor --export $key | sudo apt-key add - && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install mintmenu xfce4-xfapplet-plugin'

      Hope this helps.

      Delete
    8. cmcanultyOctober 7, 2012 at 11:50 AM

      the ownership of the file was correct but I still get this error after the command

      cmcanulty@HPTech:~$ 'key=3EE67F3D0FF405B2 && gpg --keyserver subkeys.pgp.net --recv-keys $key && gpg --armor --export $key | sudo apt-key add - && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install mintmenu xfce4-xfapplet-plugin'
      key=3EE67F3D0FF405B2 && gpg --keyserver subkeys.pgp.net --recv-keys $key && gpg --armor --export $key | sudo apt-key add - && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install mintmenu xfce4-xfapplet-plugin: command not found
      cmcanulty@HPTech:~$

      Delete
    9. cmcanultyOctober 7, 2012 at 3:58 PM

      Here are the permissions:
      owner cmcanulty rwx
      and I still get this error

      cmcanulty@HPTech:~$ key=3EE67F3D0FF405B2 && gpg --keyserver subkeys.pgp.net --recv-keys $key && gpg --armor --export $key | sudo apt-key add - && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install mintmenu xfce4-xfapplet-plugin
      gpg: WARNING: unsafe enclosing directory permissions on configuration file `/home/cmcanulty/.gnupg/gpg.conf'
      gpg: external program calls are disabled due to unsafe options file permissions
      gpg: keyserver communications error: general error
      gpg: keyserver receive failed: general error
      cmcanulty@HPTech:~$

      Delete
    10. Wilson SantosOctober 8, 2012 at 9:34 AM

      @cmcanulty

      Please try running this on the command line:

      sudo chmod 700 /home/cmcanulty/.gnupg
      sudo chown -R cmcanulty:cmcanulty /home/cmcanulty/.gnupg
      sudo chmod 600 /home/cmcanulty/.gnupg

      Delete
    11. cmcanultyOctober 8, 2012 at 10:26 PM

      Still errors note I tried the commands both with sudo and without
      cmcanulty@HPTech:~$ sudo chmod 700 /home/cmcanulty/.gnupg
      [sudo] password for cmcanulty:
      cmcanulty@HPTech:~$ sudo chown -R cmcanulty:cmcanulty /home/cmcanulty/.gnupg
      cmcanulty@HPTech:~$ sudo chmod 600 /home/cmcanulty/.gnupg
      cmcanulty@HPTech:~$ echo 'deb http://packages.linuxmint.com/ maya main upstream import' | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/linuxmint.list && key=3EE67F3D0FF405B2 && gpg --keyserver subkeys.pgp.net --recv-keys $key && gpg --armor --export $key | sudo apt-key add - && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install mintmenu xfce4-xfapplet-plugin
      deb http://packages.linuxmint.com/ maya main upstream import
      gpg: failed to create temporary file `/home/cmcanulty/.gnupg/.#lk0x70c490.HPTech.3717': Permission denied
      gpg: keyblock resource `/home/cmcanulty/.gnupg/secring.gpg': general error
      gpg: failed to create temporary file `/home/cmcanulty/.gnupg/.#lk0x70c4d0.HPTech.3717': Permission denied
      gpg: keyblock resource `/home/cmcanulty/.gnupg/pubring.gpg': general error
      gpg: requesting key 0FF405B2 from hkp server subkeys.pgp.net
      gpg: no writable keyring found: eof
      gpg: error reading `[stream]': general error
      gpg: Total number processed: 0
      cmcanulty@HPTech:~$ sudo echo 'deb http://packages.linuxmint.com/ maya main upstream import' | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/linuxmint.list && key=3EE67F3D0FF405B2 && gpg --keyserver subkeys.pgp.net --recv-keys $key && gpg --armor --export $key | sudo apt-key add - && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install mintmenu xfce4-xfapplet-plugin
      deb http://packages.linuxmint.com/ maya main upstream import
      gpg: failed to create temporary file `/home/cmcanulty/.gnupg/.#lk0x1b5f490.HPTech.3725': Permission denied
      gpg: keyblock resource `/home/cmcanulty/.gnupg/secring.gpg': general error
      gpg: failed to create temporary file `/home/cmcanulty/.gnupg/.#lk0x1b5f4d0.HPTech.3725': Permission denied
      gpg: keyblock resource `/home/cmcanulty/.gnupg/pubring.gpg': general error
      gpg: requesting key 0FF405B2 from hkp server subkeys.pgp.net
      gpg: no writable keyring found: eof
      gpg: error reading `[stream]': general error
      gpg: Total number processed: 0
      cmcanulty@HPTech:~$

      Delete
    12. Wilson SantosOctober 8, 2012 at 10:36 PM

      @cmcanulty

      I'm so sorry, the last command should have a asterisk at the end:
      sudo chmod 600 /home/cmcanulty/.gnupg/*

      Please try this again before running the instructions for installing MinMenu

      Delete
    13. jmmFebruary 10, 2013 at 12:17 PM

      Wilson, thank you for this blog. I am new to Xubuntu after distro hopping many years and your blog help me tweak Xubuntu perfectly and exactly where I want it. Is it possible to convert a Xubuntu install into a complete Mint 14 XFCE install?? I love Xubuntu but I got to thinking after I installed Mint Menu that it may make sense to make it a complete Mint XFCE OS. Thanks again for your help.

      Delete
    14. Wilson SantosFebruary 10, 2013 at 1:41 PM

      @jmm

      Yes it is possible. But if you want everything to be like Mint XFCE, why don't you use it instead? It would be easier. And after that you can continue to read my blog because many of my posts apply to Debian-based distributions :p

      Delete
  7. IpeacocksFebruary 23, 2013 at 10:10 PM

    why so many dependencies only for menu?

    ReplyDelete
  8. David EApril 24, 2013 at 4:17 AM

    Thanks for this tutorial, it worked great. I think I had to install xfapplet plugin separately, but I am having xfpanel issues so I am not sure. One thing doesn't seem right but perhaps it it's normal. If I type the name of an app in the search bar and press Enter, the mint menu closes but the app doesn't launch.I have to use the mouse to click on the app. I can't remember if that's the way it works in Mint.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wilson SantosApril 24, 2013 at 11:37 AM

      If you highlight the app using the down arrow key before hitting the enter key, it'll work.

      Delete
    2. David EApril 24, 2013 at 10:53 PM

      Thanks for the tip!

      Delete
    3. David EApril 25, 2013 at 3:02 AM

      By the way, I found the trick to being able editing the mint menu (this year anyway) is to install mozo (the alacarte menu editor goes to the xfce menu not the mint menu on my system). It can run standalone and it makes the Edit Menu option work.

      Delete
    4. Wilson SantosApril 25, 2013 at 1:52 PM

      Thank you, that's very useful information.

      Delete
  9. David EApril 30, 2013 at 4:18 PM

    This broke for me when I upgraded to Xubuntu 13.04. The menu was functional but nothing happened even if I clicked on the apps. In trying to troubleshoot this with my limited skills, I lost mintmenu as an available applet and I don't seem to be able to install it back.

    So for now I will give it up. I might just put xfce4 application finder (Alt-F3) as a "start button" instead of the Application menu. But there is a weird thing there too. It always centers the Application menu even if I have "Always center the window" unchecked.

    So in case my experience with the upgrade to 13.04 is not a one-off, this may be something to consider before upgrading.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wilson SantosApril 30, 2013 at 11:10 PM

      Thank you for letting me know of this problem. When I upgrade I'll update this post.

      Delete
    2. Dirk-JanJune 10, 2013 at 10:16 PM

      Sadly this was exactly the same problem I ran into.
      Also it gives a error message as soon as Xubuntu starts up.

      I am pretty new to Linux stuff and just installed it a few days ago since my windows hdd crashed and I wanted to try something different. Is there a easy way to remove all those libraries etc.?

      Delete
  10. Kamrul Hossain BappaJuly 1, 2013 at 6:05 AM

    well, this is weird. i ve almost successful to do this.i have installed xfce-applets. i addet it ti the panel.but in the last step i cannot edit it or find mint menu.when i click edit menu nothing happens.whats wrong?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wilson SantosJuly 16, 2013 at 2:08 PM

      "Edit Menu" (Mint Menu) doesn't work for me either.

      Delete
  11. Pgp softwareJuly 15, 2013 at 3:41 PM

    Is there a easy way to remove all those libraries etc.?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wilson SantosJuly 16, 2013 at 2:03 PM

      sudo apt-get remove mintmenu xfce4-xfapplet-plugin -y && sudo apt-get autoremove -y

      Delete
    2. UnknownAugust 24, 2013 at 11:16 PM

      Mmm, id use purge:

      sudo apt-get purge mintmenu xfce4-xfapplet-plugin -y && sudo apt-get autoremove -y

      Delete
  12. UnknownDecember 17, 2013 at 5:16 PM

    I got that in the end:
    Some packages could not be installed. This may mean that you have
    requested an impossible situation or if you are using the unstable
    distribution that some required packages have not yet been created
    or been moved out of Incoming.
    The following information may help to resolve the situation:

    The following packages have unmet dependencies:
    mintmenu : Depends: python-mate but it is not going to be installed
    Depends: libmatepanelapplet but it is not going to be installed
    xfce4-xfapplet-plugin : Depends: libmatecomponentui but it is not going to be installed
    E: Unable to correct problems, you have held broken packages.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wilson SantosDecember 17, 2013 at 9:17 PM

      I think that this instructions don't work since 13.04. I suggest that you install Whisker menu. I'm writing a article on how to install it on Xubuntu, so stay stunned.

      Delete
  13. UnknownDecember 26, 2013 at 7:41 PM

    I tried these instructions in 14.04 Alpha in VB. Got a bunch of broken packages. Easily fixed with apt-get -f install though.

    Looks like xfce4-whiskermenu-plugin is now available in official *buntu repos.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Saurabh BansalFebruary 24, 2014 at 3:24 PM

    Whisker menu is much better and lighter than mintmenu.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wilson SantosFebruary 24, 2014 at 6:48 PM

      I agree. See here how to install it in Xubuntu: http://goo.gl/s12iV3

      Delete

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