[SOLVED] Ubuntu 20.10, ~/Desktop files don't appear on desktop

MattRW · 01-19-2021, 10:17 AM

I'm running Ubuntu 20.10 on a 64-bit Dell XPS-13. I've noticed that the files in ~/Desktop don't appear on the graphics desktop. Any ideas what is going on?

To be specific, nothing is showing up on the Desktop except application windows.

shruggy · 01-19-2021, 11:30 AM

First, you'll probably have to enable icons on Desktop via GNOME Tweaks.

Code:

sudo apt install gnome-{tweaks,shell-extension-desktop-icons}

Second, according to this article, it may be better to let Nemo manage desktop icons.

dna9 · 01-19-2021, 09:42 PM

yep. what *shruggy* said. "sudo apt install gnome-tweaks"

MattRW · 01-19-2021, 10:24 PM

I did gnome tweaks and manipulated my theme. Also, rebooted as requested by "software update" .
I don't know what did it, but icons are showing up now. Thanks.

dna9 · 01-19-2021, 11:32 PM

ubuntu-tweaks works a treat. just remember that sometimes you have to do a "cold boot" and let it settle down for a minute or 2, then start it back up. i've had to do that a few times with big changes to the os.

MattRW · 01-20-2021, 08:35 AM

That article says this:

Quote:

The GNOME team's Decision

Unfortunately, the GNOME team decided to pull the plug on the desktop. Literally!

Unless you're still using the previous LTS release of Ubuntu, the desktop icons are dead.

Forever!

So it seems the non-appearance of icons on the desktop is intentional.

yancek · 01-21-2021, 09:13 AM

Quote:

So it seems the non-appearance of icons on the desktop is intentional.

Yes it is and more info is available at the link below and other sites. According to the link below, the recommendation is to use Nemo as a file manager rather than nautilus. There are ways around it as you have found.

https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2018/01/...s-removed-3-28

MattRW · 01-22-2021, 02:20 PM

I believe the change that returned icons to my desktop was installing gnome-shell-extension-desktop-icons.