In this article, we will guide you through the process of removing the title bar and borders on maximized windows in Kubuntu. This can be useful for those who want to maximize their screen real estate, especially on smaller monitors.
To remove the title bar and borders on maximized windows in Kubuntu, you can create a window rule using the Window Management settings. This allows you to maximize your screen real estate and focus on your tasks.
What is Kubuntu?
Kubuntu is a free and open-source operating system based on the popular Ubuntu Linux distribution. It uses the KDE Plasma Desktop instead of the GNOME desktop environment that comes with standard Ubuntu. This gives Kubuntu a different look and feel, along with some additional features and capabilities.
Understanding Window Management in Kubuntu
Before we get into the steps, it’s important to understand how window management works in Kubuntu. The KDE Plasma Desktop includes a feature called KWin, which is a powerful window manager. It allows you to control how application windows behave, look, and interact with each other.
One of the features of KWin is the ability to create window rules. These rules can be used to customize the behavior of windows based on various criteria, such as the application they belong to, their title, or their type.
Creating a Window Rule to Remove Title Bar and Borders
Follow these steps to create a window rule that removes the title bar and borders from maximized windows:
- Open the System Settings: Click on the K menu and select “System Settings”.
- Navigate to Window Management: In the System Settings window, find the “Window Management” option and click on it.
- Access Window Rules: In the Window Management settings, click on “Window Rules” and then click on “New”.
- Set the Window Class: In the “Window class” dropdown, choose “Regular Expression” and enter “.*” (without quotes) in the input field. This regular expression means that the rule will apply to all windows.
- Adjust Appearance & Fixes Settings: Click on the “Appearance & Fixes” tab. Here, check the box next to “No titlebar and frame”. Then, select “Force” from the dropdown menu next to “No titlebar and frame”, and select “Yes” in the radio buttons next to it. This will force the window to remove the title bar and frame when maximized.
- Save the Rule: Click “OK” to save the rule.
What to Expect
Now, when you maximize a window, the title bar and borders will be removed. This gives you a larger area for your applications, which can be especially useful when working with applications that require a lot of screen space.
However, keep in mind that without the title bar, you won’t be able to move the window by dragging the top of the window. You can still close, minimize, or restore the window using keyboard shortcuts or the window menu.
Conclusion
Kubuntu’s window management features offer a high level of customization, allowing you to tailor the desktop environment to your needs. By removing the title bar and borders from maximized windows, you can make better use of your screen space and focus on the task at hand.
Remember, the steps outlined in this article apply specifically to Kubuntu and the KDE Plasma desktop environment. Other KDE-based distributions may have slightly different steps or settings. Always refer to your distribution’s documentation for the most accurate information.
The steps outlined in this article are specific to Kubuntu and the KDE Plasma desktop environment. Other Linux distributions may have different window management settings and configurations. It’s best to refer to the documentation or support resources specific to your distribution for instructions on how to customize window behavior.
Without the title bar, you won’t be able to move the window by dragging the top of the window. However, you can still move the window by using keyboard shortcuts or the window menu. For example, in Kubuntu, you can hold down the Alt key and click anywhere inside the window to move it.
Yes, you can revert the changes and bring back the title bar and borders. To do this, go back to the Window Rules settings in the System Settings, find the rule you created, and delete it. This will restore the default behavior of windows with title bars and borders when maximized.
The window rule created in this article specifically targets maximized windows. It will remove the title bar and borders only when a window is maximized. Regular windows will still have the title bar and borders visible.
Yes, you can customize various aspects of window behavior using window rules in Kubuntu. Window rules allow you to define specific actions or appearances for windows based on criteria such as application, title, or type. You can explore the Window Rules settings in System Settings to further customize window behavior according to your preferences.
