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Enable Gnome’s Default Auto-Resize Left Dock in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: September 26, 2019

This tutorial is going to show Ubuntu begginers how to enable Gnome’s default left panel (Dock), which has an auto-resize panel height.

In Ubuntu 18.04 and higher, the left panel (called Dock) is by default extended to all the available screen height, which looks just like it does in the previous default Unity desktop.

While the Settings utility only offers options to toggle auto-hide, icon size, and panel position, here’s how to enable auto-resize panel height (or width if panel moved to bottom).

1.) First search for and install dconf editor in Ubuntu Software.

2.) Launch dconf editor, and navigate to org/gnome/shell/extensions/dash-to-dock.

Scroll down and find the line says “extend-height” and turn off the switch.

In addition, for those familiar with Linux command line, open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run single command to do the job:

gsettings set org.gnome.shell.extensions.dash-to-dock extend-height false

And restore the change via command:

gsettings set org.gnome.shell.extensions.dash-to-dock extend-height true

In Gnome Shell, Howtos auto-resize dock

Speed Up ‘Alt-Tab’ Task Switcher Popup in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: August 23, 2019

Feel that Gnome desktop ‘Alt+Tab’ popup is slow? There’s by default 0.15 second popup delay when you pressing Alt+Tab on keyboard.

It’s nothing serious for some people including me. But if you want to remove the delay to speed up task switcher popup, it can be done easily via gnome shell extension.

Open Ubuntu Software, search for remove alt tab popup and install the extension.

It takes effect immediately after you installed the extension. And as noted it effects all kinds of pop-ups.

To manage the Gnome Shell extension, install and open Gnome Tweaks, then go to Extensions tab.

In Gnome Shell Speed up Gnome Popup

How to Enable On Screen Keyboard in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: July 22, 2019

In Ubuntu 18.04 and higher, Gnome’s built-in screen keyboard can be enabled via universal access menu.

However, it only triggers automatically in Gnome Activities and Application menu, nowhere else. See the bug. Though it’s marked as fixed, I still have the problem in my laptop.

For those have the same issue, you can install the previous Ubuntu 16.04’s default onboard screen keyboard utility in Ubuntu 18.04 as a workaround.

Open Ubuntu Software, search for and install onboard as well as onboard settings.

Once installed, launch the utility from Gnome application menu.

In onboard settings, set up auto-show, layout, theme, etc and enjoy!

In Gnome Shell on screen keyboard, screen keyboard Ubuntu 18.04

[Quick Tip] Disable Notifications on Ubuntu 18.04 Lock Screen

Last updated: December 28, 2018

For Ubuntu 18.04 Gnome desktop, system and app notifications are shown also in the lock screen.

For some who want to hide these notifications on the lock screen, this quick tutorial will show you how.

1. First, open Ubuntu Software, search for and install dconf editor.

2. Once installed, launch dconf editor from application menu.

dconf editor in unity dash

3. When it opens, navigate to org/gnome/desktop/notifications, and turn OFF the switch for “show-in-lock-screen”

That’s it. Enjoy!

In Gnome Shell, Howtos notification on lock screen

Gnome-Pro Is A Great GTK Theme for Gnome Desktop

Last updated: July 24, 2017

Gnome-Pro, a new GTK+ theme made by paulxfce, is a great theme for Gnome 3 Desktop with GTK > = 3.20.

A clear and easy-on-the-eyes theme that is meant for those who use the Gnome-desktop professionally on a daily basis. The focus in this theme is compatibility: GTK-2 applications and GTK-3 applications look virtually the same. Libre-office, Scribus, Evolution, Geary, Planner, GnuCash, LaTeXila, Geany, the Gimp, Inkscape,…

Chrome, firefox, Web and Opera have no issues with this theme.

About the looks, you will notice some Elementary-theme, Arc-theme and Gnome-OSX.

gnome pro in Ubuntu 17.04

How to Install Gnome-Pro theme in Ubuntu 17.04:

The theme so far works on Ubuntu 17.04, Ubuntu 17.10, and it requires a few theme engines to work properly.

1. Open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T or from app launcher, when it opens, run command to install theme engines:

sudo apt install gnome-themes-standard gtk2-engines-murrine

2. Window buttons should be moved to right corner via command:

gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.preferences button-layout ":minimize,maximize,close"

3. Download the theme file from the link below:

Download Gnome-Pro (Files pane)

4. Extract the tarball, and move the theme folder into .themes in the root of your user directory.

Press ctrl+h to view hidden file folders, and create .themes folder if it’s not exist.

5. Finally select the theme via Gnome Tweak Tool. Log out and back in to apply changes.

In Gnome Shell, Howtos Gnome Shell

How to Install Numix 2.0 GTK & Icon theme in Ubuntu 13.10, 14.04

Last updated: October 24, 2013

Numix is a modern flat theme with a combination of light and dark elements. It supports Gnome, Unity, XFCE and Openbox.

This simple tutorials shows how to install Numix GTK as well as Numix icons on Ubuntu 13.10 Saucy, Ubuntu 14.04 Trusty, Ubuntu 13.04 Raring, Ubuntu 12.04 Precise and Linux Mint.

First take a look at screenshots:

numix gtk Ubuntu 13.10 Unity

numix gtk & icons linux mint

numix icons & gtk xfce4

numix gtk & icons gnome shell

Install Numix GTK & Icons via PPA:

Numix project gets a launchpad PPA to make it easy to install Numix GTK, icons, wallpaper in Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 13.10, Ubuntu 13.04, Ubuntu 12.10, Ubuntu 12.04 and their derivatives.

To get started, press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run commands below one by one:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:numix/ppa

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install numix-gtk-theme numix-icon-theme numix-wallpaper-saucy

Once installed, use Gnome Tweak Tool, Unity Tweak Tool or other system tools to apply Numix theme and icons.

In Gnome Shell, Howtos, Linux Mint, Unity, Xfce numix 2.0, numix gtk theme, numix icons

How to Install Gnome Classic in Ubuntu 13.10 Saucy

Last updated: October 21, 2013

This quick tip is going to show you how to install the Classic Gnome Desktop Environment in Ubuntu 13.10 Saucy Salamander.

It’s quite easy to do it, just install the Gnome fallback session package and then you get the Gnome Classic in Login menu at next time.

To install the package, press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run below commands in terminal:

sudo apt-get install gnome-session-fallback

Or you can search for and install gnome-session-fallback in Ubuntu Software Center.

After that, log out and select the Classic session to log back.

In Gnome Shell Gnome Classic, Gnome Classic in Ubuntu 13.10, Ubuntu 13.10

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