This simple tutorial shows how to hide the nine dots icon (aka ‘Show Apps’) from the left panel, or move it to the top in Ubuntu 23.04.
The ‘Show Apps’ icon (‘Show Applications’) can open the app grid screen for searching and/or launching applications.
The icon sticks to the bottom in the left panel, or right when moving panel to bottom. For choice, user can move it to the top (or left depends on panel position), and even hide it from the screen.
Option 1: Single command to move or hide ‘Show Apps’ icon
For those who are familiar with Linux command, the thing can be done by following the steps below one by one.
Firstly, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open a terminal window. When it opens, run command to move it to the top:
gsettings set org.gnome.shell.extensions.dash-to-dock show-apps-at-top true
Or, if you want to hide the icon, use command:
gsettings set org.gnome.shell.extensions.dash-to-dock show-show-apps-button false
(Optional) To re-enable the icon, run command:
gsettings reset org.gnome.shell.extensions.dash-to-dock show-show-apps-button
And, if you want to reset its position (to bottom), run:
gsettings reset org.gnome.shell.extensions.dash-to-dock show-apps-at-top
Option 2: Use Dconf Editor (Graphical Tool)
For those hate Linux commands, there’s also a graphical configuration tool can do the job.
Firstly, search for and install Dconf Editor from Ubuntu Software.
Once installed it, launch the ‘Dconf Editor’ tool and navigate to /org/gnome/shell/extensions/dash-to-dock.
When you’re there, scroll down and configure the following 2 keys to do the trick:
- show-apps-at-top – configure the icon position.
- show-show-apps-button – show or hide the icon.
That’s it. Enjoy!
