24 Excellent GNOME Extensions (Updated)

Last Updated on June 12, 2023

This article has been superseded by 33 Excellent GNOME Extensions.

22. Desktop Icons

This extension isn’t one we regularly use. But there’s considerable demand for the ability to add icons to the desktop, if only to make people familiar with Windows to feel at home.

There’s support for multi-monitors, HiDPI, thumbnail support, drag-and-drop support between files in the desktop. There’s also internalization support, support for single click mode, the ability to show home and trash folders, and a lot more besides.

The extension uses GNOME Files (formerly Nautilus).

Website: https://gitlab.gnome.org/World/ShellExtensions/desktop-icons

23. Extensions

OK, this extension lacks something in the imagination stakes when it comes to its name, but it’s a handy addition.

The extension lets you easily enable and disable extensions from a popup menu in the top panel.

If you’ve got lots of extensions or want to experiment with them, you might find this extension useful.

Website: https://github.com/petres/gnome-shell-extension-extensions/

24. Activities Configurator

Activities Configurator is a shell extension that lets you customize the activities button and top panel appearance.

With this extension, you can configure the Activities Button and Top Panel. Select an icon. Change the text. Disable Hot Corner or set the Hot Corner Threshold. Set Panel Background color and transparency plus much more to enhance your desktop. Click the icon or text with the secondary mouse button to launch the GS Extension Preferences.

Website: https://nls1729.github.io/activities_config.html

Pages in this article:
Page 1 – Dash to Dock, Arc Menu, Timezone
Page 2 – Window List, Drop Down Terminal X, OpenWeather
Page 3 – GSConnect, Switcher, Auto Move Windows
Page 4 – Internet Radio, ShellTile, Gno-Menu
Page 5 – No Topleft Hot Corner, you2ber, Media Player Indicator
Page 6 – NetSpeed, Clipboard Indicator, Workspaces-to-Dock
Page 7 – Places Status Indicator, Time ++, Coverflow Alt-Tab
Page 8 – Desktop Icons, Extensions, Activities Configurator

Naturally, there are lots of other extensions available which may meet your specific needs. Extensions like EasyScreenCast, Pomodoro, Applications Menu are also worthy of a brief mention.

If you prefer the KDE Plasma 5 desktop, check out these 21 excellent widgets.