If you’ve ever used GNOME on Linux and felt like it was just a bit too minimalist or lacked certain features, you’re not alone. GNOME is often described as being less customizable compared to other desktop environments like KDE Plasma or XFCE. But that doesn’t mean you can’t tweak and tailor it to your liking.
In fact, GNOME has a vibrant ecosystem of extensions that can dramatically transform its appearance and functionality. Whether you want a traditional Windows-like taskbar, desktop icons, system resource stats, or full smartphone integration—there’s a GNOME extension for that.
In this article, we’ll walk you through some of the best GNOME extensions you can use to personalize your desktop, enhance productivity, and even make your system look downright beautiful.
Why GNOME Seems Less Customizable (But Isn’t)
Before we dive into the list, let’s address the elephant in the room—why do so many people think GNOME isn’t customizable?
The GNOME team focuses heavily on a clean, consistent user experience. That design philosophy often results in fewer built-in customization options, especially compared to KDE. The idea is to make GNOME simple and reliable for users and third-party developers. But with the right extensions, you can still customize GNOME in ways that rival any other desktop environment.
Now, let’s get to the good stuff.
1. Blur My Shell – Add Modern Blur Effects
Let’s start with visual flair. If you’re tired of GNOME’s default gray look and want something more modern, Blur My Shell is a must-have.
This extension applies a blur effect to your GNOME shell background, giving it a translucent, glass-like appearance that blends with your wallpaper.
Key Features:
- Adjustable blur intensity.
- Choose where blur applies (top bar, dash, overview, etc.).
- Custom window support (in beta).
Even on modest hardware, the performance hit is minimal. This extension is so clean that many users wonder why GNOME doesn’t ship with it by default.
2. Dash to Panel – Turn GNOME into a Windows-Style Taskbar
Let’s talk usability now. Many users coming from Windows prefer a taskbar rather than GNOME’s hidden overview workflow. That’s where Dash to Panel comes in.
It transforms the top bar and dash into a single panel—much like Windows.
What You Can Do:
- Pin your favorite apps.
- Move system indicators like the clock and quick settings.
- Center app icons (Windows 11-style).
- Auto-hide and multi-monitor support.
Pair it with Blur My Shell and you get a sleek, modern experience with familiar functionality.
3. Dash to Dock – A Clean, Mac-Like Application Dock
If you’d rather have a floating dock instead of a full panel, try Dash to Dock.
It provides a persistent application dock that can auto-hide and sit on the left, right, or bottom of your screen.
Perfect for:
- Tablet devices like the Microsoft Surface.
- Users who want quick app access without a full taskbar.
However, note that rounded blur corners from Blur My Shell may not be compatible due to GNOME’s limitations—but there are workarounds.
4. App Icons Taskbar – A Balanced Alternative
If Dash to Panel is too much and Dash to Dock too little, App Icons Taskbar might be just right. It gives you Windows-like app switching but retains GNOME’s visual style.
While not as well-known, it integrates beautifully with other GNOME features and is perfect for users looking for a middle ground.
5. User Themes – Apply Custom GNOME Themes
Now that we’ve looked at structure, let’s dive into theming. User Themes is essential if you want to change GNOME’s appearance.
It allows you to apply downloaded .css or GTK themes.
Steps to Use:
- Enable the User Themes extension.
- Download a theme (e.g., from gnome-look.org).
- Extract and place it into
~/.themes/. - Use GNOME Tweaks or Extensions Manager to apply it.
6. Accent Colors and Color Schemes
User Themes also enables the use of custom accent colors and full theme overhauls—something GNOME doesn’t yet support natively.
This means you can add a splash of your favorite color to buttons, highlights, sliders, and more.
7. Arc Menu – Get a Classic Start Menu
Want a traditional start menu like in Windows? Try Arc Menu.
This extension replaces the full-screen app grid with a customizable start menu.
Features:
- Choose from various menu layouts.
- Customize icons and categories.
- Import/export settings for easy backup.
- May not support Blur My Shell fully, but can still be styled nicely.
8. Tray Icons (Background Apps) – Indicator Status Extension
One frustration with GNOME is its limited support for system tray icons or background apps. Thankfully, KStatusNotifierItem/AppIndicator Support brings that back.
Once installed, you’ll get:
- Notification icons for apps like Telegram, Discord, or Dropbox.
- Right-click menus and background controls.
- Full compatibility with Dash to Panel.
This is especially useful for those running persistent apps that you want visible in the corner.
9. Vitals – System Resource Monitoring at a Glance
If you like having insight into your system’s performance, check out Vitals.
It adds system stats to your top bar such as:
- CPU/GPU usage
- RAM and swap
- Temperature
- Battery estimates
You can customize which metrics show up and pin the ones most relevant to you.
10. GSConnect – Smartphone Integration
GNOME’s answer to KDE Connect is GSConnect.
This extension lets you:
- Send and receive texts.
- Share files wirelessly.
- Use your phone as a touchpad or remote.
- Mirror notifications.
It’s a full-featured tool that integrates with Android devices seamlessly and doesn’t require KDE packages.
11. OpenWeather – Simple Weather on Your Panel
Need to check the weather without opening a browser? OpenWeather adds a compact weather widget to your GNOME panel.
Features include:
- Daily/weekly forecasts.
- Current temperature and conditions.
- Location auto-detect or manual entry.
It works well with other extensions and blends nicely into your panel.
12. Disable Lock Screen Monitor Off – For Better Wake-Up Behavior
Ever get annoyed that GNOME turns off your screen when it locks—even if you’re just stepping away for a moment?
Use Disable Screen Off When Locked to prevent that.
This is handy for:
- Preventing unnecessary screen blackouts.
- Keeping the display ready when you return.
Even minimal mouse movement can wake the screen anyway, so this just avoids that minor disruption.
13. Desktop Icons NG (DING) – Add Icons to Your GNOME Desktop
Last but not least, if you’re wondering where your desktop icons went—GNOME removed them by default. Desktop Icons NG (DING) brings them back.
You’ll be able to:
- Add shortcuts, files, or folders directly on your desktop.
- Drag and arrange freely.
- Make them executable if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Do GNOME extensions slow down the system?
Not usually. Most modern GNOME extensions are well-optimized. However, stacking too many visual or monitoring tools may impact lower-end systems slightly.
Q2: Are extensions compatible across GNOME versions?
Not always. Some extensions break when GNOME releases a major update. Always check for version compatibility before installing.
Q3: Can I install these extensions without a browser?
Yes, use gnome-shell-extension-installer or your package manager. On Fedora, Arch, or Ubuntu-based systems, you can also install many via flatpak or AUR.
Q4: How do I manage all these extensions easily?
Install GNOME Tweaks and Extensions Manager for GUI-based control over extensions, themes, and settings.
Final Thoughts
GNOME may appear minimalist and locked down at first glance, but with these powerful extensions, it becomes a fully customizable powerhouse. Whether you’re after visual beauty, Windows-style functionality, or smartphone connectivity, there’s a solution waiting to be installed.
It’s amazing how a few tweaks can completely transform your experience—and the best part? It’s all free and open-source.
Tags: gnome extensions, gnome desktop customization, linux tweaks, blur my shell, dash to panel, arc menu, gsconnect, vitals, linux theming
Hashtags: #GNOME #LinuxDesktop #GNOMEExtensions #LinuxCustomization #OpenSource #FOSS #LinuxTips
Disclaimer:
Some GNOME extensions may not work with all GNOME versions or Linux distributions. Always verify compatibility and use official sources like extensions.gnome.org or the GitHub pages linked above. This article is intended for informational purposes only.
