System Menu

The System menu allows you to set your preferences for the GNOME Desktop, get help with using GNOME, and log out or shut down.

  • The Control Center item contains preference tools to configure your computer. For more information on using these preference tools, see Chapter 8 ― Configuring Your Desktop.
  • The Help item launches the Help Browser.
  • The About GNOME item has a brief introduction to GNOME, links to the GNOME website, and credits.
  • The Lock Screen command starts your screensaver, and requires your password to return to the desktop. For more on this, see Section 3.2 ― Locking Your Screen.
  • Choose Log Out to log out of GNOME, or to switch user.
  • Choose Shut Down to end your GNOME session and turn off your computer, or restart it.

For more on logging out and shutting down, see Section 3.4 ― Ending a Session.