GNOME Shell animations, while visually appealing, can slow down your Ubuntu Linux system—especially on older hardware or when multitasking with many open windows. The “Activities Overview” animation, in particular, can cause lag and reduce productivity. Fortunately, Ubuntu and GNOME provide several ways to disable or tweak these animations, improving system responsiveness and performance.

This guide covers all the most effective methods to disable GNOME Shell animations in Ubuntu, including terminal commands, graphical tools, and GNOME extensions. Whether you’re using Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, 24.04 LTS, or the latest 2026 release, you’ll find a solution that works for your setup.

Why Disable GNOME Shell Animations?

Animations in GNOME Shell are designed to enhance user experience, but they can also:

Consume system resources: Animations use CPU and GPU power, which can be better allocated to other tasks, especially on low-end or older machines.
Cause lag and stutter: If your system struggles with smooth animations, disabling them can make your desktop feel snappier and more responsive.
Distract from productivity: Some users prefer a minimalist, distraction-free workspace without unnecessary visual effects.
Improve battery life: On laptops, reducing animations can slightly extend battery life by lowering power consumption.

By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to disable animations globally, target specific animations (like the Activities Overview), and even fine-tune animation speeds for a balanced experience.

Method 1: Disable All Animations via Terminal (Recommended)

The quickest and most universal way to disable GNOME Shell animations is by using the gsettings command in the terminal. This method works on all modern Ubuntu versions and most GNOME-based distributions.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Open a terminal: Press Ctrl + Alt + T to launch the terminal.
Disable all animations: Run the following command:gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface enable-animations false
This command turns off all window, workspace, and application launcher animations system-wide.
Restart GNOME Shell: To apply the changes, restart GNOME Shell. Press Alt + F2, type r, and press Enter. Your session will restart without animations.
Re-enable animations (if needed): To restore animations, run:gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface enable-animations true

Note: This method disables all animations, including those for opening/closing windows, switching workspaces, and the Activities Overview. If you only want to disable specific animations, see the methods below.

Method 2: Disable Only the Activities Overview Animation

If you only want to disable the animation when opening the Activities Overview (the screen that appears when you click “Activities” or press the Super key), you can use a more targeted approach.

Using Dash-to-Dock Settings

Install GNOME Extensions (if not already installed):sudo apt install gnome-shell-extension-manager
Open Extensions Manager: Launch it from your applications menu.
Find Dash-to-Dock: Search for “Dash to Dock” in the Extensions Manager. If it’s not installed, install it.
Disable the animation: Open the Dash-to-Dock settings, navigate to the “Appearance” tab, and toggle off “Animate Show Apps.” Alternatively, use the terminal:gsettings set org.gnome.shell.extensions.dash-to-dock animate-show-apps false
Restart GNOME Shell: Press Alt + F2, type r, and press Enter.

Method 3: Use GNOME Extensions for Advanced Control

GNOME extensions offer more granular control over animations. Here are the best extensions for disabling or tweaking animations in 2026:

Impatience: Allows you to adjust the speed of all GNOME Shell animations or disable them entirely. Install it from GNOME Extensions.
Disable Window Animations: Disables window manager animations, including workspace switching. Available here.
Animation Tweaks: Lets you disable animations for specific actions, such as opening/closing windows or switching workspaces. Find it here.
Just Perfection: A powerful extension that allows you to disable animations and tweak many other GNOME Shell behaviors. Download it here.

How to Install and Use GNOME Extensions

Install the Extensions app: If you haven’t already, install the GNOME Extensions app from the Ubuntu Software Center or via terminal:sudo apt install gnome-shell-extension-manager
Browse and install extensions: Visit extensions.gnome.org, find the extension you want, and click “Install.”
Enable the extension: Open the Extensions app, find the newly installed extension, and toggle it on.
Configure settings: Most extensions add an icon to your top bar or a settings menu in the Extensions app. Use these to disable or adjust animations.

Method 4: Disable Animations via Accessibility Settings (Ubuntu 22.04 and Later)

Ubuntu 22.04 and newer versions include a built-in option to disable animations in the Accessibility settings:

Open Settings: Click the gear icon in the dock or search for “Settings” in the Activities Overview.
Go to Accessibility: Navigate to the “Accessibility” tab.
Disable animations: Under the “Seeing” section, toggle off “Animation Effects.” This disables most GNOME Shell animations system-wide.

Note: This method is the simplest for beginners and doesn’t require terminal commands or extensions.

Method 5: Edit GNOME Shell CSS (Advanced Users)

For users comfortable with editing system files, you can disable animations by modifying the GNOME Shell CSS. This method is more involved but offers the most control.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Back up the original CSS file:sudo cp /usr/share/gnome-shell/theme/gnome-shell.css /usr/share/gnome-shell/theme/gnome-shell.css.bak
Edit the CSS file: Open the file in a text editor with root privileges:sudo nano /usr/share/gnome-shell/theme/gnome-shell.css
Find and modify animation properties: Search for lines containing “animation” or “transition” and set their durations to 0. For example:animation-duration: 0ms;
Save and restart GNOME Shell: Press Ctrl + X, then Y, and Enter to save. Restart GNOME Shell by pressing Alt + F2, typing r, and pressing Enter.

Warning: Editing system files can cause instability. Only use this method if you’re comfortable troubleshooting potential issues.

Pro Tips for Optimizing GNOME Performance

Use a lightweight GNOME theme: Some themes include heavy animations and effects. Switch to a simpler theme like “Adwaita” for better performance.
Disable unnecessary extensions: Too many extensions can slow down GNOME Shell. Disable any you don’t use regularly.
Enable “Reduce Animations” in Accessibility: Even if you don’t disable animations completely, reducing them can help.
Monitor system resources: Use tools like htop or GNOME System Monitor to check if animations are causing high CPU/GPU usage.
Update your system: Ensure Ubuntu and GNOME Shell are up to date, as newer versions often include performance improvements.
Consider a lighter desktop environment: If GNOME Shell is still too slow, try switching to Xfce or LXQt for better performance on older hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling animations break my system?

No. Disabling animations only affects visual effects and does not impact system stability. You can always re-enable them if needed.

Do I need to restart my computer after disabling animations?

No. Restarting GNOME Shell (by pressing Alt + F2, typing r, and pressing Enter) is sufficient to apply changes.

Can I disable animations for specific apps only?

GNOME Shell animations are system-wide, so you can’t disable them for individual apps. However, some apps (like Firefox or LibreOffice) have their own animation settings.

Why do my animations keep re-enabling after a reboot?

If animations re-enable after a reboot, a GNOME extension or system update may be overriding your settings. Check your extensions and reapply the gsettings command if necessary.

Is there a way to make animations faster instead of disabling them?

Yes. Extensions like “Impatience” allow you to reduce animation duration without disabling them completely.

Will disabling animations improve gaming performance?

Disabling GNOME animations may free up a small amount of CPU/GPU resources, but it won’t significantly impact gaming performance. For better gaming, consider using a lightweight desktop environment or switching to a dedicated gaming mode.

Conclusion

Disabling GNOME Shell animations is a simple and effective way to speed up your Ubuntu desktop, especially on older or low-end hardware. Whether you prefer using terminal commands, graphical tools, or GNOME extensions, this guide provides all the methods you need to customize your system for maximum performance.

Start with the terminal method for a quick, system-wide solution, or use extensions for more granular control. If you encounter any issues, re-enabling animations is just a command or toggle away.