How can I configure Unity's launcher auto-hide behavior?

Question

This has been an issue for me with Unity since its release.
I'd like to make the the launcher auto-hide. Especially on Netbooks, where screens are small, the launcher is quite wide, making it difficult to properly display some websites and other apps. How can I configure the auto-hide behavior?

score 63 · Accepted Answer · edited Jun 12 '20 at 14:37

63

11.04 & 11.10

The Unity launcher has an auto-hide option that is enabled by default. Lee's answer has the details. It has a few options:

Never - The launcher will never hide.
Autohide - The launcher will hide automatically based on time.
Dodge Windows - The launcher will hide when a window would overlay it.
Dodge Active Window - The launcher will hide only when an active window would overlay it.

This question has information on how to configure the different modes of Unity:

How can I configure Unity?

edited Jun 12 '20 at 14:37

Community

1

answered Oct 28 '10 at 01:21

Jorge Castro

71,754

This doesn't seem to exist on 14.04. – jcora Jun 10 '14 at 20:34
@jzc This is the answer you want: http://askubuntu.com/a/106673/235 – Jorge Castro Jun 10 '14 at 20:47
I was looking for the additional options, Dodge Windows and Dodge Active Window.
The answer you linked states: Unlike previous versions of Ubuntu, the dodge windows option has been removed due to User testing that showed that this form of autohiding caused confusion. (From the answer)
– jcora Jun 10 '14 at 20:48

score 56 · Answer 2 · edited Jun 12 '20 at 14:37

12.04 and later - Unity

The Unity Launcher auto-hide option is now a System Setting - Appearance option: By default, auto-hide is switched off - in previous versions of Ubuntu these behaviour was reverse.

enter image description here

From the Behaviour tab you have the option to switch-on autohiding of the Launcher and using the slide-bar to control the responsiveness to the reveal of the launcher.

enter image description here

You can use the Reveal Location radio-buttons to indicate where you need to position your mouse to reveal the launcher.

The option to switch on autohiding and controlling the hotspot location (left edge/top left corner) is on the Behaviour tab.

Unlike previous versions of Ubuntu, the dodge windows option has been removed due to User testing that showed that this form of autohiding caused confusion.

12.04 & Unity-2D

The Unity-2D Launcher delay is now a System Setting - Appearance option:

enter image description here

From the Behaviour tab you have the option to switch-on autohiding of the Launcher and by clicking the Low/High buttons to control the responsiveness to the reveal of the launcher.

enter image description here

You can use the Reveal Location radio-buttons to indicate where you need to position your mouse to reveal the launcher.

By default the auto-hide nature is toggled off meaning the launcher is permanently visible.

Linked Question:

Shortcut to change Launcher 'Hide' setting

score 35 · Answer 3 · edited Jun 12 '20 at 14:37

35

11.04 & 11.10

You can disable the autohide feature of the Unity launcher by following these simple steps:

WARNING: CCSM is an advanced tool and using it may break your Unity. To avoid this, follow the steps exactly as mentioned here

Install the CompizConfig Settings Manager package via the Ubuntu Software Centre

Installing the Compiz settings manager

Once installed, open the settings manager and scroll down until you see the 'Ubuntu Unity Plugin' which is located in the Desktop category.

The Compiz settings manager

Set 'Hide Launcher' to 'Never'.

Changing the Launcher autohide settings

The settings will have automatically applied and the launcher will now be locked in place.

edited Jun 12 '20 at 14:37

Community

1

answered Mar 22 '11 at 02:52

The Compiz Config Settings Manager can break things See the answer of jackocnr to learn how to do this with standard gnome means. – cfi Mar 17 '12 at 15:23
This question was obviously answered before the launcher changes made in Unity. – Mar 27 '12 at 11:22
dodge windows would be nice. I got back to Unity (Ubuntu 16.04) and i miss this option. I want autohide but not when I am on desktop. – Mich. Gio. Nov 26 '17 at 08:33

score 16 · Answer 4 · edited Nov 24 '11 at 04:18

16

If you don't have Compiz Config installed, you can still do this very easily. Launch gconf-editor by hitting Alt+F2 and then typing it and hitting Enter.
Navigate to /apps/compiz-1/plugins/unityshell/screen0/options and then set launcher_hide_mode to 0.

edited Nov 24 '11 at 04:18

Isaiah

59,344

answered May 18 '11 at 19:01

jackocnr

261

score 15 · Answer 5 · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:24

15

With Compiz Config (ccsm) installed, go to the Ubuntu Unity Plugin, now you will see a drop-down menu next to the words Hide Launcher, click on the drop down menu and select Never and that is it, Unity launcher will no longer hide.

How can I configure Unity?

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:24

Community

1

answered Apr 19 '11 at 15:39

scouser73

4,334

Well, it always shows the launcher now, but windows get maximised behind it. Can that be fixed? – Bart van Heukelom Apr 28 '11 at 14:45
1

Oh, and on dual monitors, windows on the secondary screen maximise very strangely (full height, 20 px wide, on the edge) – Bart van Heukelom Apr 28 '11 at 14:56
I've "fixed" both issues by picking the left monitor as the primary, instead of the right, which it apparently can't handle very well. – Bart van Heukelom Apr 29 '11 at 09:12
@Bart van Heukelom, how do you make a monitor primary? – James McMahon Sep 23 '11 at 15:43
@James McMahon With the Nvidia config tool – Bart van Heukelom Sep 24 '11 at 22:21
Is there no way to do it on an intel integrated card? – James McMahon Sep 25 '11 at 05:45
@scouser I've done that already, and checked with the gconf-editor, restarted the system but the launcher keeps on hiding. Ubuntu runs in a VM on my right side monitor, and the mouse crosses over to the host OS from the left edge. Everytime I move between OS's the launcher appears. I have tried changind the edge, but still of no avail – Midhat Oct 18 '11 at 09:09
The Compiz Config Settings Manager can break things See the answer of jackocnr to learn how to do this with standard gnome means. – cfi Mar 17 '12 at 15:23

Ciro Santilli OurBigBook.com · Answer 6 · 2017-07-28T16:08:30.777

4

16.04 CLI one liner

dconf write /org/compiz/profiles/unity/plugins/unityshell/launcher-hide-mode 1

0 is the default value for auto-hide off.

Found with:

dconf watch /

then changing it from GUI.

edited Jul 28 '17 at 16:08

answered Jul 28 '17 at 15:53

Ciro Santilli OurBigBook.com

28,474

score 2 · Answer 7 · edited Jun 12 '20 at 14:37

You can auto-hide the Unity Launcher. Follow the below steps to do so.

First open the System Setting.
Now Click on Appearance icon in Personal group.
Now a window similar to below one can be seen.
You can see that the auto-hide feature is turned OFF by default in my version(16.04).
You are there! Click on the toggle switch to turned the feature ON.

You can see that Unity-Launcher auto-hides when cursor is off from it.

You can do the same in Ubuntu versions above 12.04

score 0 · Answer 8 · answered Feb 05 '12 at 02:08

You'd have to edit the source & rebuild unity. Haven't checked this in some time, (natty), bit I believe it;s defined in unity/plugins/unityshell/src/LauncherHideMachine.cpp, possibly here (this is from unity-5.2 source

_hide_delay_timeout_length = 750;

score 0 · Answer 9 · edited Jun 12 '20 at 14:37

0

17.10

In Ubuntu 17.10, open Settings (can press windows/super key and search for settings) and then toggle the Auto-hide the Dock option under Dock.

edited Jun 12 '20 at 14:37

Community

1

answered Mar 20 '18 at 19:50

Kit Menke

240

1

Since upgrading to 18.10, the launcher no longer hides (not auto-hide) when the screen locks. – John Manko Jan 20 '19 at 16:26

How can I configure Unity's launcher auto-hide behavior?

9 Answers9

11.04 & 11.10

12.04 and later - Unity

12.04 & Unity-2D

11.04 & 11.10

17.10

Linked

Related