How to Restore Vertical Workspaces in Activities Overview in Ubuntu 22.04 Gnome 42

Last updated: April 26, 2024

For those prefer Gnome 3 style Activities overview, here’s how to bring back the vertical workspace thumbnails in Ubuntu 21.10 and Ubuntu 22.04.

Since Ubuntu 21.10, the default GNOME desktop brings new design of the Activities overview screen. It now has large and horizontal workspaces locates across the center of screen. Along with thumbnails in the top, you can either click / use keyboard shortcuts or touchpad gestures to switch workspaces.

Personally I like the new design. But for those who are accustomed to the vertical view, here’s an extension to restore the change.

1. Prepare for installing Gnome Shell Extension:

Before getting started, make sure chrome-gnome-shell package is installed for GNOME Shell extensions integration for web browsers.

To do so, open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and paste the command below and hit Enter:

sudo apt install chrome-gnome-shell gnome-shell-extension-prefs

The command also installs the app for managing Gnome Extensions.

2. Install Vertical Overview extension:

Next go to the link page below in your web browser, then turn on the slider icon to install the extension:

Don’t worry if you don’t see the slider icon, click the ‘click here to install browser extension’ link to install browser extension and re-fresh the web page.

NOTE: The preinstalled Firefox in Ubuntu 22.04 does not support installing Gnome Extensions. As a workaround, you may search for & install “Extension Manager” in Ubuntu Software. Then, use the tool to search and install Vertical Overview extension.

Install the extension via Extension Manager tool

3. Configure Overview Appearance:

After installed the extension, you can press Win/Super key and search for and open ‘Gnome Extensions app’ to configure its settings.

Click on the gear button, then you can change the workspace thumbnail size, position, as well as toggle on / off the big central workspace.

That’s all. Enjoy!

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I'm a freelance blogger who started using Ubuntu in 2007 and wishes to share my experiences and some useful tips with Ubuntu beginners and lovers. Please comment to let me know if the tutorial is outdated! And, notify me if you find any typo/grammar/language mistakes. English is not my native language. Contact me via [email protected] Buy me a coffee: Buymeacoffee | https://ko-fi.com/ubuntuhandbook1 |

3 responses to How to Restore Vertical Workspaces in Activities Overview in Ubuntu 22.04 Gnome 42

  1. Hi Ji m. Thak’s for steps to run vertical panel. It’s one bug, after reboot I must take off and take on to work good this extension. Have you problems like me in this subjest?

  2. thanks, really helped