Ubuntu

Ubuntu 22.04 Change Desktop Icon Size

As a Linux user, you may have used the GNOME Tweak application. This permits users to customize the appearance of the Ubuntu 22.04 desktop environment. You can utilize the Tweak Tool for workspace settings, top bar, quick launch bar, title bar, clicking actions, and much more. However, the functionality of changing desktop icon size has been removed from the GNOME Tweak 40 version. Instead, you can use the GNOME Shell Extension for the same purpose.

This write-up will discuss the method for changing desktop icon size in Ubuntu 22.04 using GNOME Shell Extension. So, let’s start!

How to install GNOME Shell Extension on Ubuntu 22.04

Before moving towards changing desktop icon size, it is essential to have the GNOME Shell Extension on your Ubuntu 22.04 system. If you already have it, then skip this section. Otherwise, follow the below-given step-by-step instructions for GNOME Shell Extensions installation.

Step 1: Update system repositories
Press “CTRL+ALT+T” to open the terminal of your Ubuntu 22.04 and run the below-given command to update system repositories:

$ sudo apt update

Step 2: Install GNOME Shell Extension
After updating system repositories, execute the following command for the installation of GNOME Shell Extension that is available in the Ubuntu official repository:

$ sudo apt install gnome-shell-extension-prefs

The error-free output indicates that GNOME Shell Extension is successfully installed on our system.

How to use GNOME Shell Extension to change Desktop Icon Size in Ubuntu 22.04

In this section, we will demonstrate the method to utilize GNOME Shell Extension for changing desktop icon size. For this purpose, write the following command to open GNOME Shell Extension through terminal:

$ gnome-shell-extension-prefs

You can also open GNOME Shell Extension with the help of the “Activities” menu:

After opening the GNOME Shell Extension application, look for the “Desktop icons NG (DING)” option and click on its related “Settings” button:

Upon doing so, you will see a dialog box displaying different options related to desktop icons settings. In this window, the “Size for desktop icons” will present at the top:

Open the drop-down menu of the “Size for the Desktop icons” and select the required size from “Tiny”, “Small”, “Standard”, and “Large” options:

For instance, we have set the size of our Ubuntu 22.04 desktop icons as “Large”:

Upon doing so, you will notice that all of the desktop icons are switched to large size:

Similarly, you can change the desktop icon size according to the provided options.

How to uninstall GNOME Shell Extension from Ubuntu 22.04

Want to uninstall GNOME Shell Extension from Ubuntu 22.04? If yes, then execute the following command:

$ sudo apt remove gnome-shell-extension-prefs

We have provided you with the simplest method to set the desktop icons size in Ubuntu 22.04.

Conclusion

To set the desktop icons size in Ubuntu 22.04, first, update the system repositories with the “$ sudo apt update” command. Then, install GNOME Shell Extension by utilizing the “$ gnome-shell-extension-prefs” command. After successfully installing GNOME Shell Extension, open it and look for the “Size for the desktop icons” options and select “Tiny”, “Small”, “Standard”, or “Large” icon size. This write-up discussed the method of setting desktop icon size in Ubuntu 22.04.

About the author

Sharqa Hameed

I am a Linux enthusiast, I love to read Every Linux blog on the internet. I hold masters degree in computer science and am passionate about learning and teaching.