Have you ever been in a situation when you want to reset your Ubuntu/Linux Mint to default but you can't? The only way used to get default is do the complete new installation but now there is an App claims to do factory reset of your Ubuntu/Linux Mint, called Resetter.
It is an application built with python and pyqt that will help to reset an Ubuntu or Linux-Mint system to stock, as if it's been just installed without having to manually re-install by using a live cd/dvd image. It will detect packages that have been installed after the initial system install.
Currently this application is in Beta stage and developer looking for feedback, if you find any kind of bug or problem with it then report it to get it fixed. You can reset these Ubuntu versions: 16.10, 16.04, 14.04 and 17.04 support soon. Linux Mint supported versions: Linux Mint 18.1, Linux Mint 18, Linux Mint 17.3.
'Custom Reset' allows you to select packages and remove old kernels which is not available in 'Automatic Reset'. It doesn't remove any of your files and folders or perform any other kind of cleaning action. Also it won't reset user desktop settings like: system fonts, wallpapers, themes, icons, desktop settings, etc. But it will remove all applications you installed from debs or PPAs but not compiled and Snap/Flatpak applications which are installed manually.
Since it is beta stage, so expect bugs. In testing it removed some parts of the Ubuntu like default icon theme, control center and some other system packages which was not expected and shouldn't be touched. Hopefully developer will do something about it.
I suggest you to try this application in Virtual Machine first then run it on your system OS. So you can get the idea what it does to your operating system and you shouldn't be surprise when it perform its activity in your main OS.
Automatic vs Custom reset comparison:
It is an application built with python and pyqt that will help to reset an Ubuntu or Linux-Mint system to stock, as if it's been just installed without having to manually re-install by using a live cd/dvd image. It will detect packages that have been installed after the initial system install.
Currently this application is in Beta stage and developer looking for feedback, if you find any kind of bug or problem with it then report it to get it fixed. You can reset these Ubuntu versions: 16.10, 16.04, 14.04 and 17.04 support soon. Linux Mint supported versions: Linux Mint 18.1, Linux Mint 18, Linux Mint 17.3.
'Custom Reset' allows you to select packages and remove old kernels which is not available in 'Automatic Reset'. It doesn't remove any of your files and folders or perform any other kind of cleaning action. Also it won't reset user desktop settings like: system fonts, wallpapers, themes, icons, desktop settings, etc. But it will remove all applications you installed from debs or PPAs but not compiled and Snap/Flatpak applications which are installed manually.
Since it is beta stage, so expect bugs. In testing it removed some parts of the Ubuntu like default icon theme, control center and some other system packages which was not expected and shouldn't be touched. Hopefully developer will do something about it.
I suggest you to try this application in Virtual Machine first then run it on your system OS. So you can get the idea what it does to your operating system and you shouldn't be surprise when it perform its activity in your main OS.
Automatic vs Custom reset comparison:
| Features List | Option 1: Automatic Reset | Option 2: Custom Reset |
|---|---|---|
| Auto remove apps for reset | ✓ | ✓ |
| Choose which apps to remove for reset | ✗ | ✓ |
| Remove old kernels | ✗ | ✓ |
| Choose to only delete user | ✗ | ✓ |
| Delete both users and home directories | ✓ | ✓ |
| Choose which user to delete | ✗ | ✓ |
| Create default backup user | ✓ | ✓ |
| Create custom backup user | ✗ | ✓ |
