Reset compiz from command-line

Question

I am considering enabling the ring switcher (or other) effects that come along with compiz extras on my Ubuntu 13.10. The default app switcher is not that much to my liking - navigating multiple windows of a same app is clumsy as hell and overall it's very old school.

So when I am about to add the ring switcher to replace the default alt-tab behavior, an intimidating :) question about whether I choose to ignore or resolve conflicts show up. Would there be a way for me to reset all this setup back from the command-line in case that renders my server desktopless as some people have reported about other kinds of compiz fiddling? there's a whole slew of stuff at How can I reset Compiz settings to default? and I really wonder which of them is the clean way if any.

Also will applying this change still be safe once I'd upgrade to the future Ubuntu 14.04?

Solution

first install dconf-tools

sudo apt-get install dconf-tools

reset Compiz and Unity by using the following command:

dconf reset -f /org/compiz/

restart Unity after running the above command

setsid unity

Comments

[matanster]

Also other ways to spice up the part of navigating between all open windows in a smoother way, without configuring compiz! would be most welcome. As far as I understand, compiz is enabled in Ubuntu by default, but only the configuration utility of it is not. I hope this understanding is correct.

[matanster]

that's an ancient thread, can't be applicable to today's versions.... and I haven't screwed anything and trying to roll back, rather checking WHETHER there's a safe way to before diving into changes.

[Geppettvs D'Constanzo]

I would give it a try. I know it is an ancient thread. But Compiz has not changed a lot since these days. It might work even if you haven screwed anything. Unfortunately I am not using 13.10 and I can't reproduce the results. Sorry if this doesn't help you. Good luck!

[kamil]

@matt have you tried my answer?

[David Foerster]

If Unity/Compiz is so misconfigured, that you can't execute commands in graphical mode any more, refer to How to run commands if unity is not working?.