dconf-reset

Reset a specific key value

$ dconf reset /[path/to/key]

$ dconf reset -f /[path/to/directory]/

dconf reset PATH
dconf reset --force
dconf reset --gsettings-of SCHEMA

PATH
    Mandatory for targeted reset.
Specifies the DConf path (e.g., /org/gnome/desktop/interface/ or /org/gnome/desktop/interface/font-name) to reset. If a directory path is given, all keys under it are reset. If a key path, only that specific key is reset.

-f, --force
    Resets entire user database.
Resets the entire user DConf database to its default values. This is an extremely destructive operation, removing all personalized settings stored in DConf, and should be used with extreme caution.

--gsettings-of SCHEMA
    Resets settings for a specific GSettings schema.
Resets all keys associated with the specified GSettings schema (e.g., org.gnome.desktop.interface). This offers a more granular way to reset than --force but broader than a single PATH, affecting all settings defined by that schema.

The dconf-reset command is a powerful utility within the DConf configuration system, primarily used in GNOME and other GTK+-based desktop environments. DConf acts as a low-level configuration system, storing settings for various applications in a binary database, often found at ~/.config/dconf/user.

This command's core function is to revert specific DConf keys, sub-paths, or even the entire user DConf database back to their default values. This is particularly useful for troubleshooting when application behavior becomes erratic due to corrupted or misconfigured settings. It can also serve to quickly undo extensive customizations, restoring a clean slate.

While highly effective, dconf-reset should be used with caution, as it can lead to the loss of personalized settings. Users should understand the scope of the reset operation—whether it targets a single key, a directory of keys, a specific GSettings schema, or the entire database—to avoid unintended data loss.

dconf-reset is a powerful command that performs irreversible actions, especially when using the --force option. This can lead to the loss of all personalized settings for applications utilizing DConf, requiring manual re-configuration.

It's important to note that dconf-reset only affects configuration settings stored within the DConf database. It does not alter traditional configuration files located elsewhere (e.g., in ~/.config/ or /etc/ that are not DConf-managed).

Running applications might not immediately reflect changes after a reset; a restart of the affected application or even a desktop session logout/login might be necessary for the new default settings to take effect.

dconf-reset operates exclusively on the user's DConf database, which is typically stored as a binary file at ~/.config/dconf/user. It does not affect system-wide default settings (which are typically defined by system administrators or packages) or other users' configurations, unless executed with elevated privileges or on behalf of another user.

When settings are reset using dconf-reset, applications currently running and utilizing those DConf settings may not immediately pick up the changes. This is because applications often load their configurations at startup or periodically. For the changes to take full effect, it might be necessary to restart the specific application whose settings were reset, or in some cases, even log out and back in to your desktop session for system-wide DConf changes.

DConf was developed as a successor to GConf, primarily for the GNOME 3 desktop environment, aiming for a simpler, more performant, and more robust configuration system. The dconf-reset command is an integral part of the dconf utility suite, designed to provide a standardized way to manage and revert configurations within this new system. Its development mirrors the evolution of GNOME's configuration philosophy towards a more unified and centralized approach.

dconf(7), gsettings(1), dconf-editor(1)