85

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 desktop environment, Unity and the Classic desktop environment.


This question has multiple answers covering different Ubuntu versions:

2
  • 2
    What about Ubuntu 16.04?
    – DarenW
    Oct 4, 2017 at 21:02
  • 1
    Or for that matter, 18.04?
    – Dronz
    Jul 1, 2018 at 4:01

8 Answers 8

33

Ubuntu 10.04

You can get the Wallpaper plugin for Compiz by installing compiz-fusion-plugins-extra (sudo apt-get install compiz-fusion-plugins-extra). It will show up under the Utility category in CompizConfig Settings Manager.

Before you can use it, you'll have to configure Nautilus to not draw the desktop. Run gconf-editor and uncheck the setting /apps/nautilus/preferences/show_desktop. This will make all of your desktop icons disappear, and there is no solution to this drawback at this time.

To configure the Wallpaper plugin, add images to the list of backgrounds. They will be assigned to workspaces in the order they are listed, and you don't have to have the exact right number:

CompizConfig

The result:

Expo

10
  • This is great! I don't use desktop icons to begin with - so this is quite a sufficient solution! Sep 21, 2010 at 14:10
  • 4
    Sucks we can't keep the desktop icons (brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/93) Sep 22, 2010 at 15:50
  • 1
    I once had working patches to make nautilus draw a transparent desktop when in a compositing environment so we could get desktop icons and wallpaper specific icons. Unfortunately they were never accepted and modern nautilus needs more changes I haven't dug in to to get the same job done. Dec 9, 2010 at 3:10
  • 2
    I don't see the setting in 12.04. May 10, 2012 at 21:31
  • 2
    For 12.04 read this: askubuntu.com/questions/116741/…
    – Dave
    Aug 13, 2012 at 18:06
31
+50

12.04

enter image description here

how-to

Launch dconf-editor (install dconf-tools Install dconf-tools if required)

enter image description here

Navigate to org - gnome - desktop - background

Now the very strange bit - by default the show-desktop-icons is unticked. Click it to tick it and click it again to untick it.

Now install some extra software:

compizconfig-settings-manager Install compizconfig-settings-manager

compiz-fusion-plugins-extra Install compiz-fusion-plugins-extra

Launch the Dash and search for ccsm

Filter to wallpaper - enable the wallpaper plugin and add New wallpaper as shown.

enter image description here

Notes:

  • during testing, when I enabled wallpaper the desktop froze solid. I had no choice but to do a hard-reset via the power button.
  • remember this important bit of information:
    • Log out and back in again to show new wallpapers

What are some of the issues with CCSM and why would I want to avoid it?


If you prefer not to risk ccsm then you can use gconf-editor (you can install it by running sudo apt-get install gconf-editor).

gconf-editor Install gconf-editor

enter image description here

Add the two plugins as shown.

enter image description here

Add a comma-separated list with the full-paths to your wallpaper as shown.

4
  • 3
    "During testing, when I enabled wallpaper the desktop froze solid. I had no choice but to do a hard-reset via the power button" ... which perfectly illustrates the issues with using ccsm! Jul 3, 2012 at 20:50
  • For me, this only works with the wallpapers provided in /usr/share/wallpapers. Doesn't work with wallpapers off the web, just shows black screen. Any idea on how to fix? Jun 12, 2013 at 14:56
  • The wallpapers have to be on a permanantly mounted drive, so that the wallpaper plugin can fetch it as soon as the user logs in. Refer to Ubuntu Wiki's Automatically Mount Partitions page Mar 5, 2014 at 18:31
  • 1
    The "Show Desktop Icons" was already ticked for me, still no desktop icons while using workspaces.
    – srcspider
    Aug 26, 2014 at 7:45
22

Ubuntu 13.04, 13.10 and 14.04

enter image description here

How to

Launch dconf-editor (install dconf-tools Install dconf-tools if required)

enter image description here

Navigate to org - gnome - desktop - background

Now the very strange bit - by default the show-desktop-icons is unticked. Click it to tick it and click it again to untick it.

Now install some extra software: compizconfig-settings-manager Install compizconfig-settings-manager

Ensure you have the following package installed: compiz-plugins Install compiz-plugins

Launch the Dash and search for ccsm

Filter to wallpaper - enable the wallpaper plugin and add New wallpaper as shown.

enter image description here

What are some of the issues with CCSM and why would I want to avoid it?

Finally - enable the use of workspaces in your System Settings (Cog Wheel menu option)

pic

Note: the 12.04 answer described using the gsettings editor as an alternative to ccsm. The equivalent for 14.04 is dconf-editor.
It is not possible (at least not easily) due to compiz using relocatable schemas. The 'wallpaper' option under 'org.compiz.profiles.unity.plugins' will only appear when you have added a wallpaper via ccsm.

3
  • 2
    This didn't work on Ubuntu 14.10... Any solution? Jan 18, 2015 at 17:32
  • How would this work if you had a program such as Variety which changes the desktop background? Would it change it independently for each workspace? Feb 23, 2016 at 3:14
  • Hmmm... am I missing something? No one has been interested in this since 14.xx?? I'm using 17.10 and I cannot find the ccsm-plugins-xxx to install. In ccsm, I have a "wall" setting but no "wallpaper" setting? Is there someone who could update this thread with a 17.10 solution?
    – TheGeeko61
    Nov 26, 2017 at 8:26
15

11.10

In next window, navigate to “apps/nautilus/appearances” and un-check “show_dekstop” in right. enter image description here

  • Open Compiz and search Wallpaper plugin enter image description here

  • Click “New” to choose a wallpaper for your first workspace.

enter image description here

  • Browse to select an image. enter image description here

Repeat this step for all your workspaces. Once done, enable the wallpaper plugin.


For those who don't have "show_desktop" in Configuration Editor-

  1. Install gnome-tweak-tool, enter in terminal-
    sudo apt-get install gnome-tweak-tool
  2. Key Alt+F2 and enter gnome-tweak-tool and hit enter.
  3. Click on ▸ Desktop ▸ Have file manager handle the desktop ▸ switch to Off

picture of gnome-tweak-tool dialog box

4.Proceed with the above instructions for changing compiz settings.

1
  • It seems this approach makes Docky not work, and one can't see files and folders on the Desktop. (I'm using Gnome-Classic on 12.04). Is there an option and solution to having this feature without losing Desktop functionality, or accessories like Docky?
    – Questioner
    Jul 4, 2012 at 14:24
8

Ubuntu 12.10

This is not currently possible. Due to bug #1020830, the necessary Compiz plugin is not available.

1
  • This bug has been fixed acording to launchpad This bug was fixed in the package compiz - 1:0.9.9~daily13.01.14-0ubuntu1. Is it possible now?
    – Alvar
    Jun 1, 2013 at 23:19
7

Ubuntu 17.10 and later

Install the Walkpaper GNOME Shell Extension from Ubuntu Software. Set a different wallpaper for each workspace by having the wallpaper switch on workspace change. After installing Walkpaper click the Extension Settings button in the Walkpaper screen in Ubuntu Software to open a Walkpaper window. In the Walkpaper window you can change the settings for each workspace by double-clicking on the current wallpaper and browsing to a new wallpaper image.

enter image description here

Walkpaper gives an error in GNOME Shell 3.30 on loading – global.screen is undefined. A simple user workaround is to run gedit ~/.local/share/gnome-shell/extensions/walkpaper*/extension.js and find and replace all occurrences of global.screen with global.workspace_manager. Restart gnome-shell with setsid gnome-shell --replace and press the Enter key before closing the terminal, and it should work.

3
  • 1
    A simpler way to restart GNOME Shell is to hit ALT-F2, and enter "r" into the box that appears. "r" means restart.
    – heynnema
    Dec 4, 2018 at 15:01
  • I like this solution, but I would like to have different wallpaper settings for each workspace. Is that possible?
    – Kewal Shah
    Dec 16, 2018 at 11:02
  • When you change the settings for one workspace that also changes the settings for all the other workspaces, except for the wallpaper itself which can be different wallpapers for different workspaces.
    – karel
    Dec 16, 2018 at 11:15
2
  1. Install Compiz Settings Manager:

    sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager

  2. Press Atl + F2 and run:

    gconf-editor

  3. Navigate to apps > nautilus > preferences and uncheck show_dekstop.

  4. Next, open the Compiz Setting Manager and go to the Wallpaper plugin.

  5. Click “New” to choose a wallpaper for your first workspace.

  6. Browse to select an image.

  7. Repeat the steps for all your workspaces. Once done, enable the wallpaper plugin.

  8. Unity’s theme will look weird after enabling the plugin. Restarting the computer will fix it.

Source: http://joesteiger.com/2011/07/18/enable-different-wallpapers-for-each-workspace-in-unity-ubuntu-11-04/

Hope this helps,

Leinardo

4
  • 2
    Having problems with following steps in Ubuntu 12.04. 1>gconf-editor doesnt have an option of show desktop in preferences in nautilus. 2> In compiz cant get any wallpaper plugin Any suggestions?
    – Srijan
    Jun 25, 2012 at 23:30
  • 2
    In 12.04, there is no "show_desktop" in apps > nautilus unfortunately.
    – Benjamin
    Jun 27, 2012 at 9:55
  • In later versions this option is available via (Gnome) Tweak Tool under "Desktop > Have file manager handle the desktop".
    – artm
    Mar 18, 2013 at 8:05
  • Yahtzee! In 12.04 The above instructions worked very well, What I can add is, if you are having trouble finding the show desktop setting. Try this- Click Application Menu, Then System Tools, Find Preferences, Then click on Preferences, And look for advanced settings. After you click Advanced Setting. Once in advanced setting. You will the desktop icon and you can make your adjustment there..
    – user370428
    Jan 20, 2015 at 7:31
1

Ubuntu 11.04

I know this is possible with compiz. Do you have/use compiz? if so (install and) open compizconfig-settings-manager and look under the wallpaper plugin.

If I recall, adding multiple wallpapers would set them in order (ie. the first image selected goes to workspace one, the second image goes to workspace two). You might need to muck about in the settings to get compiz to render your wallpaper.

Open the Terminal and type this command:

 sudo apt-get install compiz compiz-core compizconfig-settings-manager compiz-plugins

Then navigate to :

  • system -> preferences -> compizconfig in settings manager.

Type "wallpaper" in the search, click the wallpaper plugin, enable it on the left, select your wall papers.

I believe you may need to change more settings in the gnome compatibility options or something like that, but I can't recall exactly.

4
  • Please list the commands necessary and list all the software that I need if I have a fresh install of 11.04.
    – Alvar
    Nov 6, 2011 at 9:18
  • always assume that I don't have extra software installed.
    – Alvar
    Nov 6, 2011 at 9:18
  • right, sorry. Uh, fresh from 11.04? sudo apt-get install compiz compiz-core compizconfig-settings-manager compiz-plugins should do it for installation, then navigate to system -> preferences -> compizconfig settings manager. type "wallpaper" in the search, click the wallpaper plugin, enable it on the left, select your wall papers. I believe you may need to change more settings up in the gnome compatibility options or something, i don't recall exactly and don't have anything i can test it on
    – Finn
    Nov 6, 2011 at 9:23
  • 3
    add it in your answer and improve the horrible formatting.
    – Alvar
    Dec 3, 2011 at 12:28

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .