Remove the Workspace Switcher launcher from Unity launcher?

Question

How can I remove the Workspace Switcher launcher from the Unity dock?

Answer 1

For Ubuntu 11.10 & Ubuntu2D

Edit the file /usr/share/unity-2d/launcher/Launcher.qml with your favorite text editor, ie:

sudo nano /usr/share/unity-2d/launcher/Launcher.qml

For Ubuntu 12.04 & Ubuntu2D

Edit the file /usr/share/unity-2d/shell/launcher/Launcher.qml with your favorite text editor, ie:

sudo nano /usr/share/unity-2d/shell/launcher/Launcher.qml

Locate these lines

    Component.onCompleted: {
        items.appendModel(bfbModel);
        items.appendModel(applications);
        items.appendModel(workspaces);
        items.appendModel(devices);
        shelfItems.appendModel(trashes);
    }

And change them to

    Component.onCompleted: {
        items.appendModel(bfbModel);
        items.appendModel(applications);
/*        items.appendModel(workspaces);*/
        items.appendModel(devices);
        shelfItems.appendModel(trashes);
    }

Ubuntu

Unfortunately the desktop switcher is hard coded to unity and cannot be removed without making source code modifications.

Make sure you have the package dpkg-dev installed

sudo apt-get install dpkg-dev

To modify the code and compile it your self you need to do the following

mkdir ~/code
cd ~/code
mkdir build
cd build
sudo apt-get source unity
cd unity*

Open plugins/unityshell/src/LauncherController.cpp with your favorite text editor, ie:

gksudo nano plugins/unityshell/src/LauncherController.cpp

Locate the lines

_num_workspaces = WindowManager::Default()->WorkspaceCount();
if (_num_workspaces > 1)
{
  InsertExpoAction();
}

Change them to

/*_num_workspaces = WindowManager::Default()->WorkspaceCount();
if (_num_workspaces > 1)
{
  InsertExpoAction();
}*/

Build the package

sudo apt-get build-dep unity
sudo debuild -us -uc

Wait for it to finish and install when done

cd ..
sudo dpkg -i unity*.deb libunity*.deb netbook*.deb

Answer 2

11.04

Currently there's a handy little bug in unity that allows you to do this. Open a up a terminal and run 'gnome-panel'. Once gnome panel is running, add the 'workspace switcher' applet to the panel. Open up the workspace switcher preferences and select 1 column and 4 rows. Log out and back into unity, and viola! The workspace switcher is missing now.

Yes I know, it's a somewhat annoying way of removing it if you use workspaces, but it's the only way i know of right now..

To get the Unity launcher switcher back, simply open the gnome-panel in terminal again, and go back to a 2 X 2 grid. Logout and log back in.

Answer 3

Ubuntu 11.04/11.10 workaround (does not work in Unity 2D):

1. Install Compiz Config Settings Manager from the Ubuntu Software Center

2. Open Compiz Config Settings Manager from Dash

3. Goto General Options and Desktop Size tab

4. Change Horizontal Virtual Size to '1', the Vertical Virtual Size can be any number.

5. Restart Unity by opening Run Command (Alt-F2) and typing unity

Source

Answer 4

This is, in fact, possible in 11.04, though it's a bit of a strange work-around.

Open terminal and type 'gnome-panel'. Next right click on the workspace switcher in the panel, and change your desktop to a 1X4 grid (1 column, 4 rows) now log out and back in, and the Workspace Switcher icon is no longer in the Unity launcher.

You can drop your workspaces down to 1 if you don't use multiple workspaces.

Answer found here: http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-1743698.html

Answer 5

The following worked for me…

1. Open CompizConfig Settings Manager
2. Open General Options
3. Open Desktop Size
4. Set all three sliders to 1
5. Go Back
6. Open Desktop
7. Open Expo
8. Under Use This Plugin, unselect Enable Expo
9. Wait for desktop to reconfigure to new settings – may require log-out/restart