For so long as it has existed on Linux, Gnome Shell has had desktop icons. Nonetheless, in model 3.28, the builders determined that it could be higher to disable this performance altogether.
Understandably, disabling desktop icons in the Gnome Shell desktop surroundings created some backlash throughout the group from customers. They puzzled why this was achieved, and the way they’ll get their performance again? Effectively, Gnome has by no means launched a correct method to re-enable this characteristic in its settings. As a substitute, customers should depend on third-party fixes to re-enable desktop icons in Gnome Shell.
On this information, we’ll go over varied extensions you may set up to re-enable desktop icons in Gnome Shell. Moreover, we’ll speak about Gnome Traditional, which is a superb different to Gnome Shell and provides desktop icon performance.
Choice 1: Desktop Icons extension
The “Desktop Icons” extension is the preferred answer for Gnome Shell customers to get icons again on the desktop immediately. The rationale it’s so standard is that it brings again the performance customers miss, with out complicating issues. There’s no onerous to perceive configuration steps concerned. Simply obtain and go!
To get the Desktop Icons extension working in your Gnome Shell PC, observe the directions beneath.
Extension web site directions
To get the Desktop Icons extension from the Gnome web site, do the next. First, head over to the Desktop Icons web page here. Then, as soon as there, set up the Gnome browser plugin. After getting the browser plugin arrange, head over to our information to find out how to set up the “chrome-gnome-shell” program in your Linux PC.
Lastly, as soon as each the browser extension and the “chrome-gnome-shell” app are arrange in your Linux PC. Return to the Desktop Icons web page, and click on the “OFF” slider in order that it modifications to “ON.”
When you’ve clicked the slider to set it to “ON,” a immediate will seem. Choose the “Install” button to get the Desktop Icons extension arrange in your Gnome Shell desktop.
Gnome Software program directions
Don’t need to take care of the Gnome extension web site? Think about putting in the Desktop Icons extension to your Gnome Shell desktop via the Gnome Software program app as an alternative! Right here’s how to do it.
First, launch Gnome Software program in your Linux PC. Then, when the app is open, click on on the search button and seek for “Desktop Icons.”
Click on on the search consequence that claims “Desktop Icons” with the puzzle icon to go to its extension web page in Gnome Software program. Then, choose the blue “Install” icon to load it up in your Linux PC.
Getting icons again – Desktop Icons
Putting in the Desktop Icons extension is all you want to do to re-enable icons on the Gnome Shell desktop surroundings. If icons don’t seem instantly after putting in the extension, re-download the extension.
Choice 2: Desktop Folder
Desktop Folder is a program which you could set up in Gnome Shell to restore desktop icons. To get began with the Desktop Folder program in your Gnome Shell PC, open up a terminal window by urgent Ctrl + Alt + T or Ctrl + Shift + T.
Be aware: Desktop Folder can be used to restore desktop icon performance in Elementary OS. Be taught extra right here.
As soon as the terminal window is open, observe the set up directions beneath to find out how to set up the Desktop Folder utility in your system.
Ubuntu
sudo apt set up desktopfolder gnome-tweak-tool
Debian
sudo apt-get set up desktopfolder gnome-tweak-tool
Arch Linux
sudo pacman -S git base-devel gnome-tweak-tool git clone cd trizen makepkg -sri trizen -S desktopfolder
Fedora
sudo dnf set up desktopfolder gnome-tweak-tool
OpenSUSE
sudo zypper set up desktopfolder gnome-tweak-tool
Getting icons again – Desktop Folder
As soon as the Desktop Folder utility is about up in your Gnome Shell PC, open up the Gnome app menu, seek for “Desktop Folder” and launch it.
After the Desktop Folder app is open, press the Win key on the keyboard to open up the app browser. Then, seek for “Tweaks” and open up the Gnome Tweaks app.
Inside the Gnome Tweaks app, discover “Startup Applications” and click on on it. Then, click on the “+” image on the backside.
Utilizing the “Applications” window, choose “Desktop Folder” and click on “Add” to create a startup entry for the app.
Now that Desktop Folder is a startup utility in Gnome Shell, you’ll all the time have entry to your desktop icons!
Choice 3: Gnome traditional mode
The Gnome Shell builders could have taken away desktop icons from Gnome Shell correct, however they haven’t for Gnome traditional mode. So, when you want the desktop icon performance again, but aren’t pleased with choices 1 and a couple of in this information, traditional is the best way to go.
To achieve entry to Gnome traditional mode, log off of your present session and choose it, because it ought to already be put in. Should you don’t have traditional mode arrange in your Linux PC, try our information on how to acquire entry to traditional mode.
