In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of removing the title bar of GNOME applications. This is particularly useful if you’re aiming for a minimalistic desktop environment or if you simply want to maximize your screen real estate.
To remove the title bar of GNOME applications, you can use the Unite extension or the Rounded Window Corners extension for further customization. Additionally, for the GNOME Terminal, you can modify the settings in the dconf-editor and uncheck the option for showing the menubar by default.
Understanding GNOME
GNOME is a free and open-source desktop environment for Unix-like operating systems. It is designed to be user-friendly and efficient, but like any other software, it can be customized to better suit your preferences.
Removing the Title Bar Using Unite Extension
One of the most effective ways to remove the title bar of GNOME applications is by using the Unite extension. Here’s how to install and configure it:
- Visit the GNOME Shell Extensions website and enable the Unite extension.
- By default, the Unite extension hides the title bar for maximized applications. However, you can configure it to hide the title bar for all windows by navigating to the extension’s settings.
Please note that this method will not remove the title bars of GTK3/GTK4 applications that use Client Side decorations instead of legacy title bars.
Customizing Window Appearance with Rounded Window Corners Extension
For further customization, you can use the Rounded Window Corners extension. This extension not only provides rounded corners but also has a “Padding Clipping” option that can clip or hide title bars.
- Install the Rounded Window Corners extension.
- Open the GNOME Extensions application and go to the Rounded Window Corners extension settings.
- Under the
Paddingoption, adjust the settings to clip or hide the title bar when the window is minimized. - You can also customize the clipping option per application under the
Customtab.
Removing the Title Bar for GNOME Terminal
Here are the steps to remove the title bar specifically for the GNOME Terminal:
- Open the
dconf-editorand navigate toorg.gnome.terminal.legacy.headerbar. - Change the value from
DefaulttoCustom valueand set it tofalse. - In the GNOME Terminal, right-click anywhere and go to
Preferences. - Under the
Generaltab, uncheck the option forShow menubar by default. - Use the Unite extension to hide the title bar.
Additional Notes
Please note that depending on the application, you may need to enable legacy system title bars. For example, Google Chrome requires enabling the use system title bar and borders option in its settings.
Also, the Pixel Saver extension was also mentioned in the discussion, but it may have performance issues or screen freezing reported by some users.
Conclusion
By following these steps and using the mentioned extensions, you should be able to remove the title bar from GNOME applications and achieve a clean and minimalistic desktop environment. Always remember that while customization is a great way to enhance your user experience, it’s also important to understand the changes you’re making to your system.
Happy customizing!
No, removing the title bar of GNOME applications typically requires the use of extensions like Unite or Rounded Window Corners. These extensions provide the necessary functionality to hide or customize the title bar.
The compatibility of extensions can vary depending on the version of GNOME you are using. It is recommended to check the extension’s compatibility information on the GNOME Shell Extensions website before installing them.
Yes, with the Rounded Window Corners extension, you can customize the clipping option per application under the Custom tab. This allows you to selectively remove the title bar for specific applications.
Removing the title bar should not affect the functionality of GNOME applications. However, it may impact certain features that rely on the title bar, such as moving or resizing windows using the title bar. It is recommended to test the functionality of applications after removing the title bar to ensure everything works as expected.
Yes, you can revert the changes and bring back the title bar by disabling or removing the extensions that were used to hide or customize it. Simply disabling the extensions from the GNOME Extensions application should restore the default title bar behavior.
