Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Take a look at 17 GNOME extensions for customizing the desktop.
These extensions can add a dock, reorganize the top panel, change the application menu, match system colours with your wallpaper, add blur effects, bring back classic Compiz animations, and more.
Don't install all of them. Pick the extensions that suit your desktop and workflow. Also, check that an extension supports your version of GNOME before installing it.
✅ GNOME extensions featured in this video
1. Just Perfection
Change or hide different parts of the GNOME Shell. It lets you adjust the panel, clock, notification indicators, Activities Overview, workspace behaviour, animations, and several other interface elements.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/3843/just-perfection/?ref=itsfoss.com
2. User Themes
Apply custom themes to GNOME Shell elements such as the top panel, Quick Settings, and Activities Overview. This is required if you want to use custom GNOME Shell themes through GNOME Tweaks.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/19/user-themes/?ref=itsfoss.com
3. Wallpaper Slideshow
Automatically cycle through wallpapers stored in a selected folder. You can set the interval, control the slideshow from Quick Settings, and optionally use Bing’s Wallpaper of the Day.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/6281/wallpaper-slideshow/?ref=itsfoss.com
4. User Accent Colors
Extract an accent colour from your wallpaper and apply it across GNOME Shell, Adwaita applications, and supported GTK 3 applications.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/10070/user-accent-colors/?ref=itsfoss.com
5. Dash to Dock
Turn GNOME’s hidden Dash into a customizable desktop dock.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/307/dash-to-dock/?ref=itsfoss.com
6. Dash to Panel
Combine the GNOME top bar and Dash into a single panel.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/1160/dash-to-panel/?ref=itsfoss.com
7. Dhruva Dock
Add a dock with smooth animations, icon magnification, an integrated clock, preset themes, and colour controls.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/9495/dhruva/?ref=itsfoss.com
8. Blur My Shell
Add configurable blur effects to the Activities Overview, application grid, top panel, Dash, Quick Settings, and supported application windows.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/3193/blur-my-shell/?ref=itsfoss.com
9. Dynamic Music Pill
Place the currently playing track inside a pill-shaped widget on the panel or Dash.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/9334/dynamic-music-pill/?ref=itsfoss.com
10. Top Bar Organizer
Rearrange items on GNOME’s top panel.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/4356/top-bar-organizer/?ref=itsfoss.com
11. Arc Menu
Add a traditional application launcher to GNOME.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/3628/arcmenu/?ref=itsfoss.com
12. Burn My Windows
Replace standard window animations with effects such as Apparition, Broken Glass, Incinerate, and Matrix.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/4679/burn-my-windows/?ref=itsfoss.com
13. Customize Clock on Lock Screen
Change the clock and date formats on the GNOME lock screen, add custom text, or display the output of shell commands.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/4663/customize-clock-on-lock-screen/?ref=itsfoss.com
14. Compiz Windows Effect
Bring the classic Compiz wobbly-windows effect to modern GNOME.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/3210/compiz-windows-effect/?ref=itsfoss.com
15. Compiz Magic Lamp Effect
Add the classic Magic Lamp animation when minimizing and restoring windows.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/3740/compiz-alike-magic-lamp-effect/?ref=itsfoss.com
16. Background Logo
Place a distribution logo, organization logo, custom image, or SVG over the desktop wallpaper without editing the original wallpaper.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/7364/background-logo/?ref=itsfoss.com
17. Modern Clock
Add a modern clock widget directly to the GNOME desktop. I
extensions.gnome.org/extension/9882/modern-clock/?ref=itsfoss.com
Timestamp:
00:00 Intro
00:41 Control Almost Every GNOME Element
01:22 Apply Custom GNOME Shell Themes
01:56 Rotate Wallpapers Automatically
02:32 Match Desktop Colors to Your Wallpaper
03:12 Add a Permanent Desktop Dock
04:00 Build a Windows-Like Taskbar
04:44 Add a macOS-Style Animated Dock
05:27 Add Blur Effects Across GNOME
06:11 Control Music From the Panel
06:48 Rearrange Top Bar Items
07:21 Add a Traditional Application Menu
08:09 Add Fun Window Animations
08:40 Customize the Lock Screen Clock
09:13 Bring Back Wobbly Windows
09:45 Add the Magic Lamp Minimize Effect
10:14 Add a Logo Over Your Wallpaper
10:54 Place a Clock on the Desktop
11:26 Final Thoughts
Take a look at 17 GNOME extensions for customizing the desktop.
These extensions can add a dock, reorganize the top panel, change the application menu, match system colours with your wallpaper, add blur effects, bring back classic Compiz animations, and more.
Don't install all of them. Pick the extensions that suit your desktop and workflow. Also, check that an extension supports your version of GNOME before installing it.
✅ GNOME extensions featured in this video
1. Just Perfection
Change or hide different parts of the GNOME Shell. It lets you adjust the panel, clock, notification indicators, Activities Overview, workspace behaviour, animations, and several other interface elements.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/3843/just-perfection/?ref=itsfoss.com
2. User Themes
Apply custom themes to GNOME Shell elements such as the top panel, Quick Settings, and Activities Overview. This is required if you want to use custom GNOME Shell themes through GNOME Tweaks.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/19/user-themes/?ref=itsfoss.com
3. Wallpaper Slideshow
Automatically cycle through wallpapers stored in a selected folder. You can set the interval, control the slideshow from Quick Settings, and optionally use Bing’s Wallpaper of the Day.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/6281/wallpaper-slideshow/?ref=itsfoss.com
4. User Accent Colors
Extract an accent colour from your wallpaper and apply it across GNOME Shell, Adwaita applications, and supported GTK 3 applications.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/10070/user-accent-colors/?ref=itsfoss.com
5. Dash to Dock
Turn GNOME’s hidden Dash into a customizable desktop dock.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/307/dash-to-dock/?ref=itsfoss.com
6. Dash to Panel
Combine the GNOME top bar and Dash into a single panel.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/1160/dash-to-panel/?ref=itsfoss.com
7. Dhruva Dock
Add a dock with smooth animations, icon magnification, an integrated clock, preset themes, and colour controls.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/9495/dhruva/?ref=itsfoss.com
8. Blur My Shell
Add configurable blur effects to the Activities Overview, application grid, top panel, Dash, Quick Settings, and supported application windows.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/3193/blur-my-shell/?ref=itsfoss.com
9. Dynamic Music Pill
Place the currently playing track inside a pill-shaped widget on the panel or Dash.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/9334/dynamic-music-pill/?ref=itsfoss.com
10. Top Bar Organizer
Rearrange items on GNOME’s top panel.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/4356/top-bar-organizer/?ref=itsfoss.com
11. Arc Menu
Add a traditional application launcher to GNOME.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/3628/arcmenu/?ref=itsfoss.com
12. Burn My Windows
Replace standard window animations with effects such as Apparition, Broken Glass, Incinerate, and Matrix.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/4679/burn-my-windows/?ref=itsfoss.com
13. Customize Clock on Lock Screen
Change the clock and date formats on the GNOME lock screen, add custom text, or display the output of shell commands.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/4663/customize-clock-on-lock-screen/?ref=itsfoss.com
14. Compiz Windows Effect
Bring the classic Compiz wobbly-windows effect to modern GNOME.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/3210/compiz-windows-effect/?ref=itsfoss.com
15. Compiz Magic Lamp Effect
Add the classic Magic Lamp animation when minimizing and restoring windows.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/3740/compiz-alike-magic-lamp-effect/?ref=itsfoss.com
16. Background Logo
Place a distribution logo, organization logo, custom image, or SVG over the desktop wallpaper without editing the original wallpaper.
extensions.gnome.org/extension/7364/background-logo/?ref=itsfoss.com
17. Modern Clock
Add a modern clock widget directly to the GNOME desktop. I
extensions.gnome.org/extension/9882/modern-clock/?ref=itsfoss.com
Timestamp:
00:00 Intro
00:41 Control Almost Every GNOME Element
01:22 Apply Custom GNOME Shell Themes
01:56 Rotate Wallpapers Automatically
02:32 Match Desktop Colors to Your Wallpaper
03:12 Add a Permanent Desktop Dock
04:00 Build a Windows-Like Taskbar
04:44 Add a macOS-Style Animated Dock
05:27 Add Blur Effects Across GNOME
06:11 Control Music From the Panel
06:48 Rearrange Top Bar Items
07:21 Add a Traditional Application Menu
08:09 Add Fun Window Animations
08:40 Customize the Lock Screen Clock
09:13 Bring Back Wobbly Windows
09:45 Add the Magic Lamp Minimize Effect
10:14 Add a Logo Over Your Wallpaper
10:54 Place a Clock on the Desktop
11:26 Final Thoughts
