Ubuntu 24.04 is the latest long-term support (LTS) release from Canonical, and it brings significant under-the-hood improvements along with a clean GNOME desktop experience. While GNOME 46 offers a polished and minimalist interface, many users find it a bit too restrictive when it comes to personal customization. That’s where Gnome Tweaks comes in—a simple yet powerful tool for tailoring your GNOME desktop exactly how you like it.
Whether you want to change the theme, adjust font rendering, or configure window behaviors, Gnome Tweaks unlocks a wide array of features not available in the default settings panel. In this guide, you’ll learn how to install Gnome Tweaks in Ubuntu 24.04 and explore some of the best ways to customize your environment using this tool.
Why Use Gnome Tweaks?
GNOME, by design, emphasizes simplicity and consistency, sometimes at the expense of customization. The regular settings tool in Ubuntu 24.04 offers only basic options. Gnome Tweaks extends these capabilities dramatically, allowing you to:
- Change the overall look and feel with new GTK and Shell themes
- Enable or disable system animations
- Move window buttons like close, minimize, and maximize
- Configure startup applications
- Adjust keyboard & mouse behavior
If you’re someone who wants more control over your desktop, this is a must-have utility.
Installing Gnome Tweaks on Ubuntu 24.04
The installation process is straightforward thanks to Ubuntu’s well-integrated package management:
- Open a terminal window. You can do this by searching for “Terminal” in the Activities overview or pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.
- Update your package index to ensure you have access to the latest versions:
sudo apt update - Install Gnome Tweaks using the following command:
sudo apt install gnome-tweaks - Once installed, launch it by searching for “Tweaks” in your application menu.
Customizing Your Desktop with Gnome Tweaks
Once you open the Gnome Tweaks tool, you’ll notice a number of tabs, each offering a variety of settings you can adjust. Below are some of the most popular ways users customize their desktop:
1. Appearance
Use this tab to change themes. Ubuntu 24.04 ships with support for GTK4 and newer GNOME Shell themes, allowing you to significantly alter your interface’s aesthetics.
- GTK Theme: Changes the appearance of windows and controls
- Shell Theme: Requires the User Themes extension to be active
- Icons: Swap out the default icons with something more vibrant or minimal
2. Extensions
Although Gnome Tweaks itself doesn’t manage extensions, it provides a list of ones you have installed and allows you to enable or disable them. Popular choices include:
- Dash to Dock
- TopIcons Plus
- User Themes
To take full advantage of GNOME extensions, be sure to check out extensions.gnome.org.
3. Fonts
If you spend a lot of time reading and writing on your computer, changing the font can improve both aesthetic appeal and usability. Gnome Tweaks allows you to update interface fonts, document fonts, monospace fonts, and even tweak hinting and antialiasing for better clarity.
4. Startup Applications
This tab lets you manage which applications automatically run at startup. It’s useful for adding frequently used tools like clipboard managers or productivity apps that you want to have running as soon as you log in.
Tips for Even More Customization
To get even more out of GNOME, consider installing additional tools and extensions:
- GNOME Shell Extensions: Use these to radically alter the way your desktop works
- Dconf Editor: Offers deep access to hidden GNOME settings—but be careful!
- Synaptic Package Manager: Handy for finding and installing more themes and icon sets
Conclusion
Gnome Tweaks is a powerful and user-friendly tool that enhances your ability to personalize Ubuntu 24.04. From switching themes to managing startup applications, it gives you access to vital options that the default settings manager omits. Best of all, it maintains the harmony and performance of the GNOME desktop while giving you the freedom to make it truly yours.
So go ahead—install Gnome Tweaks, explore its features, and start customizing your Ubuntu experience today!