The Gnome 3 desktop environment, while sleek and modern, has removed some traditional window controls that many users find essential, such as the minimize and maximize buttons. If you’re a fan of these buttons and want them back in your Gnome 3 setup, this article is for you. We’ll guide you through two methods: the command line way and the GUI way.
To bring back the minimize and maximize buttons in Gnome 3, you can either use the command line method or the GUI method. The command line method involves using the gsettings command to change the button layout, while the GUI method requires using the Gnome Tweak Tool to adjust the titlebar buttons.
The Command Line Way
For those who are comfortable with terminal commands, this method is quick and efficient.
Step 1: Open a Terminal
You can do this by searching for ‘terminal’ in your applications or by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + T.
Step 2: Enter the Command
To add the buttons on the left side of your window, enter the following command:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.preferences button-layout "close,minimize,maximize:"In this command, gsettings is a command line interface for GSettings, which stores system settings. The set command is used to change a setting. org.gnome.desktop.wm.preferences is the schema that contains the setting we want to change, and button-layout is the specific setting. The string "close,minimize,maximize:" specifies the order of the buttons and their placement. The colon at the end indicates that the buttons should be on the left side.
If you prefer the buttons on the right side, use the following command:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.preferences button-layout ":minimize,maximize,close"In this case, the colon at the beginning of the string indicates that the buttons should be on the right side.
Step 3: Verify the Changes
Close the terminal and check the window controls. You should now see the minimize and maximize buttons.
The GUI Way
If you’re not comfortable with terminal commands, you can achieve the same result using Gnome’s graphical user interface.
Step 1: Open Gnome Tweak Tool
Search for ‘gnome-tweak-tool’ in your applications and open it. If you don’t have it installed, you can install it from the Ubuntu Software Center or by using the command sudo apt install gnome-tweak-tool in a terminal.
Step 2: Navigate to the Windows Tab
Once the Gnome Tweak Tool is open, go to the ‘Windows’ tab.
Step 3: Adjust the Titlebar Buttons
In the right panel, you’ll find the ‘Titlebar Buttons’ section. Here, you can switch the buttons to the desired order by clicking on the options.
Conclusion
Restoring the minimize and maximize buttons in Gnome 3 is a simple process, whether you prefer using terminal commands or a graphical interface. While Gnome 3’s minimalist design philosophy may not appeal to everyone, its flexibility allows users to customize it to their liking.
Please note that these methods may not work for all versions of Gnome or Ubuntu. Some users have reported that these solutions do not work on Ubuntu 15.10. Additionally, the command line method may require running the command as the user, and there may not be a global setting available.
We hope this guide has been helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below. Happy customizing!
Yes, you can bring back the minimize and maximize buttons in Gnome 3 by following the methods outlined in this article.
No, there is also a GUI method using Gnome Tweak Tool, which is explained in the article.
Yes, you can choose whether the buttons appear on the left or right side of the window by modifying the command or options as described in the article.
These methods may not work for all versions of Gnome or Ubuntu. Some users have reported that these solutions do not work on Ubuntu 15.10. Additionally, the command line method may require running the command as the user, and there may not be a global setting available.
Yes, Gnome 3 offers a range of customization options through the Gnome Tweak Tool. You can modify various aspects of the desktop environment, including themes, fonts, and extensions.
Gnome Tweak Tool is primarily designed for Gnome-based desktop environments, so it may not be available for all Linux distributions. However, there are similar tools available for other desktop environments, such as KDE’s System Settings for KDE Plasma.
Generally, these changes should persist after system updates. However, there is a slight possibility that major updates to Gnome or Ubuntu may reset some settings. It’s always a good idea to check the window controls after updating your system.
Yes, you can revert back to the default settings by using the original command or options. For example, if you used the command gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.preferences button-layout "close,minimize,maximize:" to add the buttons on the left side, you can use gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.preferences button-layout "close:" to remove the minimize and maximize buttons.
Yes, there are various online communities and forums dedicated to Gnome 3 customization. You can find tutorials, themes, and extensions that can further enhance your Gnome 3 experience.
