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How to Hide or Show All Desktop Icons in Ubuntu

Ubuntu is one of the most popular Linux distributions, known for its clean interface and customizable desktop environment. For many users, managing desktop icons is an essential part of keeping the workspace neat and organized. Some prefer a minimalist look with no icons at all, while others want shortcuts for quick access. Fortunately, Ubuntu allows you to hide or show all desktop icons with just a few simple steps. This guide will provide a complete walkthrough of the different methods you can use, along with best practices and troubleshooting tips.

Why You Might Want to Hide or Show Icons

Before diving into the technical steps, it helps to understand why users often choose to toggle desktop icons. By default, Ubuntu places items such as Home, Trash, Mounted Drives, and application shortcuts on the desktop. While convenient, these icons can sometimes clutter the view or distract from productivity. Conversely, some users rely on them for faster access to files and applications. Knowing the purpose behind your choice will guide you in applying the right method consistently across your system.

Minimalist Workflow: Developers and writers often hide icons to maintain a distraction-free workspace.
Quick Access: Designers or business users might keep icons for easy opening of frequently used files.
Customization: Users who switch between clean and functional setups can toggle visibility based on need.
System Performance: On lower-spec machines, hiding icons can sometimes reduce desktop rendering overhead.
Professional Presentation: A clean desktop is useful when sharing screens during meetings or recordings.

Method 1: Using GNOME Tweaks

Most modern versions of Ubuntu (18.04 and above) use the GNOME desktop environment, which allows easy control of desktop icons through the GNOME Tweaks tool. If you don’t already have it installed, you’ll need to set it up first. Follow these steps:

Install GNOME Tweaks: Open a terminal and run
```
sudo apt install gnome-tweaks
```
. This will add the tool to your applications menu.
Open GNOME Tweaks: Search for “Tweaks” in your application menu and launch it.
Go to Extensions: In the left-hand menu, click on Extensions. Find the section related to Desktop Icons.
Toggle Visibility: You can turn desktop icons on or off with a simple switch. The change takes effect immediately without requiring a restart.

Method 2: Using dconf Editor

If you prefer fine-grained control, you can use the dconf Editor, which manages GNOME settings at a deeper level. This method is particularly useful for users who want to selectively hide or show specific desktop items rather than all at once.

Install dconf Editor: Run
```
sudo apt install dconf-editor
```
to install the tool.
Launch dconf Editor: Search for “dconf Editor” in the applications menu and open it.
Navigate to Desktop Settings: Go to org > gnome > shell > extensions > desktop-icons.
Toggle Icons: Here you can enable or disable icons such as Home, Trash, and mounted volumes. For example, turning off “show-home” hides only the Home folder from the desktop.

Method 3: Terminal Commands

For users comfortable with the command line, Ubuntu provides options to manage desktop icons directly via terminal commands. This is the fastest method if you prefer automation or want to script the process.

Hide All Desktop Icons:

gsettings set org.gnome.shell.extensions.ding show-desktop-icons false

Show All Desktop Icons:

gsettings set org.gnome.shell.extensions.ding show-desktop-icons true

These commands instantly apply changes, making them ideal for advanced users who want quick control without opening additional tools.

Best Practices for Managing Desktop Icons

While toggling desktop icons is simple, following best practices ensures your workflow remains smooth and efficient:

Back Up Settings: Use
```
dconf dump / > settings-backup.txt
```
before making changes, so you can restore defaults if needed.
Use Shortcuts: Instead of cluttering the desktop, pin frequently used applications to the dock.
Keep Folders Organized: Store files in the Home directory or Documents folder rather than on the desktop for better long-term management.
Automate With Scripts: For frequent toggling, create small shell scripts to switch between modes with a single command.
Minimalism for Focus: If your goal is productivity, consider leaving only essential icons like Trash visible.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Sometimes, hiding or showing desktop icons doesn’t work as expected. Here are common issues and fixes:

Icons Not Disappearing: Restart the GNOME Shell by pressing Alt + F2, typing r, and pressing Enter.
Extensions Missing: Ensure that the “Desktop Icons” extension is installed. If missing, install it from GNOME Extensions.
Conflicting Settings: If you use both Tweaks and dconf Editor, settings may overlap. Always check consistency between the two.
Wayland vs Xorg: On some setups, icon visibility behaves differently depending on the display server. Switching sessions may resolve it.
Updates Reset Preferences: After a major Ubuntu update, re-check your icon settings as defaults may override custom changes.

Conclusion

Learning how to hide or show all desktop icons in Ubuntu is a straightforward but powerful way to customize your workflow. Whether you use GNOME Tweaks, dconf Editor, or terminal commands, you can achieve the level of minimalism or accessibility that best fits your style. By applying best practices and keeping your settings organized, you’ll maintain both efficiency and a clean desktop environment. This flexibility is one of the many reasons why Ubuntu continues to be the preferred choice for users who value control and customization in their operating system.