dconf-reset

Reset a specific key value

$ dconf reset [/path/to/key]

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

dconf reset [-f] [PATH]

-f, --force
    Force reset even if dconf is not installed in the usual location.

PATH
    The dconf path to reset. If no path is specified, the entire database is reset.

The dconf-reset command is used to reset the dconf database to its factory defaults. This essentially erases all user-specific configuration settings managed by dconf for a specified application or the entire system. It's a powerful tool for troubleshooting issues caused by corrupted or incorrect configuration data, or for restoring an application to its original state.

Warning: This command should be used with caution, as it will permanently delete all custom settings managed by dconf. There is no undo, and you will have to reconfigure all affected applications manually.

It is particularly useful after a system update or software installation that might have introduced conflicting configuration settings. Before running dconf-reset, it's advisable to back up your dconf settings if you want to preserve them. dconf stores settings in a binary format, thus restoring requires appropriate tools. The correct syntax is extremely important to avoid accidental data loss.

Resetting dconf will affect all applications that use dconf for configuration. It's crucial to understand the scope of the reset before executing the command. A reset of the entire database should be reserved for cases where other troubleshooting steps have failed. Always back up your dconf settings if possible before using this command. Root privileges might be required to reset system-wide settings.

While there isn't a built-in dconf-backup command, you can achieve backups using dconf dump.
To backup: dconf dump / > dconf_backup.txt.
To restore: dconf load / < dconf_backup.txt. Note: Be extremely careful when restoring, as this will overwrite existing settings. Replace '/' with an appropriate path to limit the scope.

dconf is a configuration system for GNOME and other desktop environments. It replaced GConf, aiming for better performance and simplicity. The dconf-reset command was introduced as part of the dconf suite of tools to manage and manipulate the dconf database. It is a relatively recent addition compared to older configuration management tools. Its purpose is to provide a straightforward way to revert settings, thus simplifying troubleshooting and recovery.

dconf(1), gsettings(1)