Questions tagged [workspaces]

A tool for multitasking in Ubuntu giving users several virtual desktops. Questions on setting up, turning off, customizing and working with workspaces are appropriate.

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398 votes
6 answers
525k views

How do I turn on workspaces? (Why do I only have one workspace?)

It appears that Unity on Raring only comes with a single virtual desktop (aka workspaces) by default, and CCSM's Wall plugin has no way to add more. Is this configurable at all?
Bo Dang Ren's user avatar
  • 5,644
246 votes
7 answers
59k views

Force alt + tab to switch only on current workspace in GNOME shell

I am looking for a clean and fast method to force GNOME in Ubuntu 14.04 to switch between active apps only on the current workspace when pressing the shortcut alt + tab.
daniel451's user avatar
  • 7,383
195 votes
10 answers
185k views

How can I reduce or increase the number of workspaces in Unity?

I was reading about how to get multiple workspaces in the mutter version of Unity, however since Compiz is replacing Mutter how do I go about adding and removing workspaces in Compiz version of Unity?
Marco Ceppi's user avatar
  • 48.1k
179 votes
6 answers
119k views

Dual monitor workspaces in Ubuntu 18.04

Dual monitor setup on Ubuntu 18.04; when I hit activities only the left monitor switches workspaces while the right monitor just keeps whatever is on its screen. Is there a way to make the workspace ...
Alex's user avatar
  • 1,935
143 votes
3 answers
271k views

How do I quickly switch between workspaces in unity?

I'm using Ubuntu 11.10 with Unity and would like to switch between workspaces with a keyboard shortcut. Is there any way to achieve this?
js-coder's user avatar
  • 2,247
85 votes
8 answers
88k views

Is it possible to have a different background for each workspace?

I normally use 4 different workspaces for different things, and they are always the same. Can I make a different background image for each one of them? I would like an answer that works for GNOME 3 ...
Alvar's user avatar
  • 17.1k
81 votes
8 answers
86k views

How do I add and remove the Workspace Switcher launcher from the Unity launcher?

How can I remove the Workspace Switcher launcher from the Unity dock?
mike's user avatar
  • 811
78 votes
3 answers
21k views

How can I configure the Ubuntu Dock to show windows only from the current workspace?

I would like my Dock to show only the windows of the current workspace. Especially in the little preview window. I find it very confusing to jump around workspaces when trying to find the right window....
kerner1000's user avatar
  • 4,220
78 votes
5 answers
79k views

Multiple monitors, multiple workspaces?

I connected my laptop to my LCD. Using the laptop display hotkey I can switch between different modes - only laptop monitor on, only LCD monitor on, both on and display the same view, both on and the ...
David B's user avatar
  • 11k
71 votes
7 answers
143k views

Touchpad gestures to change workspace

I was talking to a friend who owns a Mac. He has his set up so that when he swipes three fingers across his touchpad, it moves to the workspace in that direction. Is it possible to set this up in ...
superbriggs's user avatar
  • 1,307
65 votes
4 answers
104k views

Multiple workspaces on Ubuntu 18.04.1 LTS and later with GNOME Shell

Any idea how to have more than 2 workspaces on Ubuntu 18.04.1?
R.Mak's user avatar
  • 651
52 votes
4 answers
20k views

Setting to only show applications of current workspace in launcher?

Is it possible to have the opened applications of the current workspace in the launcher but not the ones from other workspaces?
user165749's user avatar
46 votes
8 answers
25k views

How can I make gnome-shell treat both monitors in the same way?

Gnome-shell seems to like to leave one monitor as "fixed" when you switch workspaces. Additionally, there is no preview in the Activities view of my secondary monitor. Also, on the second monitor, ...
Alex's user avatar
  • 2,044
42 votes
1 answer
34k views

How do I move applications from one workspace to another [closed]

I'm using 11.10 - please can someone let me know how can I move programs from one workspace to another. I'm used to the Gnome-2 style - is there a way to achieve something similar in 11.10?
Eytan  batyha's user avatar
42 votes
2 answers
27k views

Can I have 2x2 workspaces in GNOME 3?

I have just upgraded to Ubuntu 17.10 and found out there is no option to have 2 by 2 workspaces. I was able to configure 4 "static" workspaces using GNOME Tweak Tool, but I would like to have them in ...
Juraj.Lorinc's user avatar
38 votes
4 answers
29k views

Can I have rectangular grid workspace in Ubuntu 18.04?

Problem description I really like the 2 by 2 workspaces in Ubuntu 16.04. But it seems I can only shift workspace up and down. Is there a way to achieve this? What I have tried Tried the GNOME ...
ArtificiallyIntelligent's user avatar
37 votes
1 answer
96k views

How to use different workspaces on Ubuntu 14.04? [duplicate]

I heard something about having multiple work spaces on Ubuntu 14.04 and was curious about it.
Bela's user avatar
  • 421
36 votes
3 answers
19k views

Additional Workspaces

Since upgrading to 13.10, am I now limited to just 4 workspaces? Do I have to network two computers to get the 6 workspaces I had been using 13.04? Or is that only available with a 32 bit system ...
Leonard Fons's user avatar
35 votes
3 answers
33k views

Open application in specific workspace

I would like to have some applications always appear in a specific workspace. For example: I would like my mp3 player on the bottom left workspace, and terminal application on the bottom right one; I ...
Anders's user avatar
  • 353
35 votes
3 answers
27k views

How do I script to open a set of programs each on specific workspace?

I looked around for a while and could not figure out the answer to my following problem: I have a setup of six desktops on Ubuntu 12.04 with Unity. On start up, every morning, I go through a routine ...
Jahn's user avatar
  • 351
35 votes
2 answers
4k views

Chrome Slow in 16.10 with multiple windows in different workspaces

To reproduce: open chrome, open a new window (ctrl-n), move that window to a different workspace, use chrome normally (i.e. open and close new tabs, type into omnibar). Google Chrome will behave ...
rump roast's user avatar
33 votes
5 answers
35k views

Is there a way to get a workspace grid in Gnome 3.x, Gnome 40, Gnome 41, Gnome 42, Gnome 43?

Is there any setting/plugin/hack/workaround that will allow me to run Ubuntu with the Gnome 3.x/Gnome Shell desktop while retaining a rectangular 2x2 or n x m workspace grid instead of the default ...
Rasmus's user avatar
  • 8,345
32 votes
4 answers
37k views

Can I drag a window onto another workspace?

I just updated to 11.04, now if I drag a window to the side of the workspace, the window is maximized to half of the screen. is there a way to move it to another workspace with the mouse? I know you ...
Andrea Zonca's user avatar
32 votes
5 answers
19k views

Turning off the transition animation when changing workspaces in Compiz (GNOME2/UNITY)

By default, the transition from one virtual desktop to another one under GNOME2 in Ubuntu 11.04 is visualized with a sliding animation. How can I turn that animation off?
Thomas's user avatar
  • 363
30 votes
6 answers
44k views

Is there a command to go a specific workspace?

I'm trying to make a quicklist on the Workspace Switcher launcher that allows for quick switching to a certain workspace. (My friend sometimes uses my computer and just doesn't enjoy keyboard ...
Leron's user avatar
  • 1,660
30 votes
2 answers
4k views

Can I have a window showing small live preview of another workspace?

Is it possible to mirror a live section of one workspace so that it is visible in the current workspace as a window that can be moved around? The other day I had a Windows 10 VM running on my Ubuntu ...
AnthonyK's user avatar
  • 651
28 votes
5 answers
12k views

How to have a window on all workspaces?

I'm using Precise (12.04.1) and I'm using Unity. I have 3 workspaces. I want a particular window/application (say firefox) to be present on all workspaces. This is easy to do on something like LXDE (...
nonbeing's user avatar
  • 385
27 votes
6 answers
37k views

Can I set a horizontal layout for workspaces?

I just can't find how to get a workspace grid using Gnome 3. It just stays vertical, width of 1 and unlimited height... Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks.
Mandibull's user avatar
  • 273
26 votes
4 answers
9k views

How to show only opened apps in the current workspace on unity?

I've never been a "workspace user" but now I'm starting to feel the need to separate my work.. Is it possible, on unity, to only show apps on the running on the current workspace? An example of what ...
sergio91pt's user avatar
  • 2,942
26 votes
0 answers
10k views

Separate workspaces in Ubuntu 18.04 Desktop [duplicate]

I have Ubuntu 18.04 on my laptop and I want to have completely separate workspaces on it. Now my workspaces are sharing the icons on the dock, and when I click on icons of application that have ...
Nadav Shabtai's user avatar
25 votes
4 answers
34k views

How to move windows between workspaces using the mouse?

I found out that Ctrl + Shift + Alt + Arrow can move windows to another workspace. Is there a way of doing that with the mouse?
Jader Dias's user avatar
  • 1,989
25 votes
3 answers
22k views

Is there a way I can completely disable workspaces and remove the icon from my Unity-2D panel?

My system is built around my 71 year old father (who is a recent, and very supportive Linux user now). He doesn't have any need for multiple desktops and I find that having too many things on the ...
John's user avatar
  • 251
22 votes
3 answers
9k views

Can I alt-tab windows from all workspaces?

I put certain windows on certain spaces, but prefer alt-tab to switch between them. Is there a toggle or other option to turn on the alt-tab from all workspaces in unity?
blackhawkover's user avatar
22 votes
1 answer
4k views

Cycle around the "end" of workspaces in Gnome?

I have a typical Gnome setup, in which i can move/switch between workspaces, by hitting ctrl+alt+‹or›arrow. But when i'm in workspace 1, hitting ctrl+alt+‹ has no effect, and similarly for my maximum ...
user avatar
21 votes
4 answers
7k views

How to stop circular switching of workspaces in Xubuntu?

I started using Xubuntu. There is one thing that is annoying me a bit. I use a 2 X 2 layout for workspaces. 1 | 2 ------- 3 | 4 When I was using Gnome, hitting Ctrl+Alt+Up on workspace 1 did ...
Ankit's user avatar
  • 1,121
21 votes
3 answers
9k views

13.04 - more than four workspace shortcuts in GNOME Flashback (No effects)

I'm using GNOME Flashback (No effects) on Ubuntu 13.04 and I've got six workspaces however when entering System Settings -> Keyboard -> Shortcuts -> Navigation I only see options to address the ...
Samus_'s user avatar
  • 1,118
21 votes
4 answers
31k views

Remove a workspace from GNOME Shell

Sometimes I mistakenly rearrange windows so there is an empty workspace at the top or middle of the list. So I need to move all the windows "up" to get rid of it. How can I remove a specific ...
lonix's user avatar
  • 2,438
20 votes
1 answer
3k views

How to get a different Unity Launcher with different icons on each workspace?

I read through the various answers to having separate desktop folders in each Workspace using Screenlets, devilspie, or CCSM ... but that's not the answer to my question. I installed 14.04 LTS a few ...
Dennis J's user avatar
  • 203
19 votes
4 answers
23k views

How to add more workspaces in Lubuntu?

I'm on Lubuntu 14.04 and using it on a bootable USB drive. How do I add more workspaces? Right now there are two workspaces, but those were there by default. Do I have to download additional software ...
Nexusfactor's user avatar
18 votes
2 answers
38k views

add workspaces with gnome classic and ubuntu 14.04

I'm using Ubuntu 14.04 with gnome classic. I want to add 4 workspaces. I right click into the workspaces (left-bottom) and go to preferences. I change the number of workspaces from 1 to 4 and close ...
Mateu's user avatar
  • 283
18 votes
7 answers
20k views

how to shift applications from workspace 1 to 2 using command

Is there any way I can switch the application running in one workspace to another on command line? I use Ubuntu 10.04 UPDATE1 As per suggestions below wmctrl -l 0x02200003 -1 bond Bottom ...
Registered User's user avatar
18 votes
1 answer
12k views

Second monitor and workspaces

When my second monitor is connected to my system, I get four workspaces for each. This is annoying as I now have eight. I would like to continue using workspaces on my large monitor but have the ...
markrich's user avatar
  • 1,400
18 votes
1 answer
11k views

Can I set up 2 monitors to be 2 separate Gnome virtual desktops instead of one big?

If I plug an external CRT to my laptop, it normally either displays the same picture as the laptop's panel, or extends the desktop area. But I'd like it to be a separate virtual desktop (a workspace, ...
Ivan's user avatar
  • 57k
17 votes
5 answers
7k views

Is there a way to detect which workspace you are currently in from the command line?

I'm trying to figure out how to get the workspace number from a terminal script in gnome. Any ideas?
wajiw's user avatar
  • 2,386
17 votes
6 answers
10k views

Ctrl + Alt + Arrow key doesn't switch workspaces

My Ctrl+Alt+Arrow key fails to switch my workspace, but this is only true if NumLock is on I press Ctrl followed by the Alt key I'm using the left Alt key I'm logged in as me (as opposed to a guest) ...
Noah's user avatar
  • 220
17 votes
3 answers
15k views

Can't switch workspaces

I can't switch workspaces using the panel or the shortcut[Ctrl+alt+left/right>]. When I click on the workspace panel, there is no response. How do i fix this problem?
infoquad's user avatar
  • 857
17 votes
4 answers
13k views

Cannot move window to another workspace Ubuntu 18.04

Two days ago I installed Ubuntu 18.04. I have a few problems with it and one of them is that I cannot move a window do another workspace. I try to do this with a shortcut. I use Ctrl+Alt+Shift+↓. ...
DPM's user avatar
  • 321
17 votes
1 answer
7k views

How to remove workspace switcher icon from launcher without disabling workspaces?

I use multiple workspaces, but only through the keyboard commands, so the workspace switcher icon is just taking up space on the launcher for me. Ways of removing it (moving to the trash, checkbox in ...
Chris Midgley's user avatar
17 votes
2 answers
18k views

How to change key bindings for switching workspaces in gnome3?

I know that you can go into the System Settings->Keyboard->Shortcuts and change the bindings for switching between workspaces in the Navigation tab, but this isn't working for me. I can change many ...
xander528's user avatar
  • 171
17 votes
2 answers
20k views

How do I get grid workspaces in ubuntu 20.04?

I know that I have to use some tweaking tool and then a extension for this. But all extensions that are suggested for this(Workspace grid, Workspace matrix), aren't available in the software center.
Whack's user avatar
  • 421

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