If the computer boots but you can't access a GUI, use Ctrl+Alt+F3 to open a console. From there you can use nano to edit the login manager configuration. If you had GNOME installed, your login manager is probably GDM, and its config should be at /etc/gdm/daemon.conf, according to the manual. If that is the case, it looks like you should erase the username under the entry "AutomaticLogin=".
this post was submitted on 29 Nov 2023
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Thank you! The Linux community is the best! I will not regret switching to Linux
Just be ready to have to lean on the community a lot to begin with
I don't mind leaning on a community that helps me within 15 minutes of making a post and is just generally so helpful
FYI, the options at boot have nothing to do with this. At boot you might have different options for different OS's. When you pick linux, it will start up. Only after login will a DE/WM like Gnome/Nimdow start. If you install multiple WM's, they will not show up in your boot menu. Some login managers allow you to switch between them at login.
What greeter are you using? GDM? You can disable auto login from the command line.
Assuming gdm, as root edit /etc/gdm/custom.conf and set AutomaticLoginEnable=False.
Ctrl+alt+f3 put in your user and password and remove the window manager or install some other one until you fix it.
As long as the laptop boots, you should be able to switch to a TTY console, where you have a complete shell interface to your system after logging in (in said TTY console). So, being greeted with a login screen or something is a win here - but you're very vague in your report.
The GUI is only just a program and has nothing to do with your boot options in BIOS or bootloader (like grub).
Using CTRL-ALT-[F1-9/0] you can switch between your virtual consoles and on only one of them your GUI is running.
You can use any other one to change anything on the system from CLI.
You should also be able to stop the current GUI/X11 Session and directly start the window manager you wish - temporarily to fix your system, if you're not confident in the CLI.
If you're data is backed up and you still have a live CD just nuke your install and start over.
Be sure not to do stupid things like "auto login". Literally the worst thing you can do on any pc.