Why Customize Ubuntu's GNOME Desktop?
Ubuntu ships with a clean but conservative GNOME desktop. Out of the box you get a dock on the left, a top bar, and a fairly minimal set of options in Settings. For many users — especially those migrating from Windows or macOS — the default layout feels unfamiliar or limiting. The good news: GNOME is one of the most customisable desktop environments available, and Ubuntu 24.04 (Noble Numbat) and the upcoming 25.04 give you even more control than previous releases.
This guide covers everything from installing the essential customisation tools to applying custom themes, adding GNOME Shell extensions, and configuring the dock to your workflow — all without breaking your system.
Step 1: Install GNOME Tweaks and Extension Manager
GNOME Tweaks is the foundational customisation tool — it exposes settings that don't appear in the standard Settings app, including font configuration, window button placement, startup applications, and theme management.
sudo apt update
sudo apt install gnome-tweaksLaunch it from the application grid by searching for "Tweaks" or from the terminal:
gnome-tweaksNext, install Extension Manager — a graphical app for browsing, installing, and managing GNOME Shell extensions directly from extensions.gnome.org:
sudo apt install gnome-shell-extension-managerOr install it from the Ubuntu Software Centre by searching for "Extension Manager."
Step 2: Install Custom Themes
Ubuntu uses the Yaru theme by default. While it's polished, many users prefer alternatives with different aesthetics or better contrast. Here's how to install and apply a custom theme.
Create the themes and icons directories
mkdir -p ~/.themes ~/.icons ~/.local/share/fontsDownload a theme
Visit gnome-look.org and browse GTK4 themes. Popular choices in 2026 include:
- Orchis — clean, rounded, macOS-inspired
- WhiteSur — faithful macOS Big Sur recreation
- Catppuccin — pastel, low-contrast eye-friendly theme
- adw-gtk3 — makes GTK3 apps match the stock GNOME 4x style
Extract your downloaded theme archive into ~/.themes:
tar -xzf Orchis-theme.tar.gz -C ~/.themes/Apply the theme in GNOME Tweaks
- Open GNOME Tweaks.
- Click Appearance in the left sidebar.
- Under Shell, select your theme (requires the User Themes extension — see Step 3).
- Under Legacy Applications, select your GTK theme.
- Under Icons, choose a matching icon pack.
Install icon packs
Popular icon sets compatible with Ubuntu 2026:
# Papirus — clean, comprehensive, well-maintained
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:papirus/papirus
sudo apt install papirus-icon-theme
# Tela — flat icons with many colour variants
# Download from gnome-look.org and extract to ~/.iconsStep 3: Install Essential GNOME Shell Extensions
GNOME Shell extensions add features to the desktop shell itself — taskbars, notification improvements, window managers, and more. Install them via Extension Manager.
Must-have extensions in 2026
- User Themes — required to apply custom Shell themes. Without this, Tweaks can only change the GTK/app theme, not the top bar or shell.
- Dash to Panel — combines the top bar and dock into a single Windows-style taskbar. Highly configurable: set icon size, position, centre alignment, and notification behaviour. Ideal if you want a Windows or macOS dock-style layout.
- AppIndicator and KStatusNotifierItem Support — adds a proper system tray for apps like Discord, Dropbox, and Steam that need it.
- Clipboard Indicator — adds a clipboard history manager accessible from the top bar. Essential for productivity.
- Caffeine — prevents your screen from going to sleep when watching videos or reading — no mouse jiggling needed.
- GSConnect — connects your Android phone to your Ubuntu desktop for notifications, clipboard sharing, and file transfer via KDE Connect protocol.
How to install via Extension Manager
- Open Extension Manager.
- Click the Browse tab.
- Search for an extension by name.
- Click Install.
- Toggle it on from the Installed tab.
Step 4: Customise the Dock
If you prefer to keep the default Ubuntu dock rather than switching to Dash to Panel, you can still customise it significantly.
Via Settings
Go to Settings → Desktop → Dock. Options include:
- Auto-hide (hide when windows overlap the dock)
- Panel mode (extend dock to full screen width)
- Icon size (from 16px to 64px)
- Position (Bottom, Left, Right)
Via GNOME Tweaks
In Tweaks, under Extensions, click the settings gear next to Ubuntu Dock for finer control over click behaviour, icon badges, and running indicators.
Via dconf Editor (advanced)
Install dconf Editor for deep configuration:
sudo apt install dconf-editorNavigate to org → gnome → shell → extensions → dash-to-dock for all dock settings. Be careful editing here — changes take effect immediately and some require a shell restart (Alt+F2 → r → Enter on X11, or log out/in on Wayland).
Step 5: Change Fonts
Font choice dramatically changes how your desktop feels. In GNOME Tweaks under Fonts:
- Interface Text — the font used in menus, dialogs, and the top bar. Try Inter or Roboto.
- Document Text — used in document viewers and some apps.
- Monospace Text — used in Terminal and code editors. Try JetBrains Mono or Fira Code.
Install Google Fonts or Nerd Fonts:
# Install a font manually
mkdir -p ~/.local/share/fonts
cp YourFont.ttf ~/.local/share/fonts/
fc-cache -f -vStep 6: Configure Window Behaviour
In GNOME Tweaks under Window Titlebars:
- Move window buttons to the left (macOS style) or right (Windows style)
- Enable Maximize and Minimize buttons (GNOME hides minimize by default)
- Enable double-click title bar to maximise
Under Windows:
- Enable Center New Windows — new application windows open in the centre of the screen instead of a random position
- Enable Attach Modal Dialogs — dialog boxes attach to their parent window instead of floating independently
Saving and Backing Up Your Configuration
Back up your GNOME settings using dconf:
# Export all settings
dconf dump / > ~/gnome-settings-backup.conf
# Restore on a new install
dconf load / < ~/gnome-settings-backup.confAlso back up your ~/.themes, ~/.icons, and ~/.local/share/gnome-shell/extensions directories to preserve your customisations across reinstalls.
Getting Help with Ubuntu Desktop
If customisation changes break your desktop or you're locked out of the GUI, our Ubuntu Linux support team can help you recover and configure your desktop correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will GNOME extensions break with Ubuntu updates?
Extensions can break when a new GNOME Shell version ships with a major Ubuntu release. Extension developers typically release compatibility updates within weeks. Check Extension Manager after each Ubuntu upgrade and disable extensions that show as incompatible until they're updated.
How do I reset GNOME to default settings?
Run dconf reset -f /org/gnome/ in Terminal to reset all GNOME settings to defaults. You can also reset specific sections, like the dock: dconf reset -f /org/gnome/shell/extensions/dash-to-dock/. This doesn't affect your files or applications.
Can I use KDE Plasma themes on Ubuntu GNOME?
No — KDE Plasma and GNOME use entirely different theming systems. GTK themes work on GNOME; Qt themes work on KDE. If you want to run KDE applications on Ubuntu GNOME, they'll use a default Qt theme unless you install qt5ct or kvantum for Qt theming.
Is it safe to install themes from gnome-look.org?
GTK themes and icon packs from gnome-look.org are generally safe — they only modify visual assets, not executable code. GNOME Shell extensions are a different matter: they run as JavaScript inside the shell with elevated privileges. Only install extensions from the official GNOME Extensions website (extensions.gnome.org) and check that they're actively maintained.
How do I make Ubuntu look like Windows 11?
Install the WhiteSur GTK theme (or a Windows 11 theme from gnome-look.org), Dash to Panel extension configured as a centred taskbar, and the Fluent icon pack. In GNOME Tweaks, set window buttons to the right side. This gives a very close visual approximation, though the underlying workflow is different.