These are the GNOME extensions and apps I install right after a fresh Ubuntu install. They make the desktop feel closer to a classic taskbar layout.

For the command-line tweaks I apply (dock behaviour, transparency, a wallpaper slideshow), see Ubuntu customizations from the command line.

Installing GNOME extensions

The easiest way to install extensions is the Extension Manager app:

sudo apt install gnome-shell-extension-manager

Open it, search for the extension by name and click Install. You can also install them from extensions.gnome.org with the browser add-on.

Extensions

• Dash to Panel: merges the dock and the top bar into a single Windows-style taskbar.
• Desktop Widgets (Desktop Clock): puts a clock widget on the desktop.
• ArcMenu: a start-menu style application launcher with search, favourites and lots of layouts.

Apps

Variety: a desktop wallpaper downloader and changer. It can pull images from online sources or your own folders and rotate them on a timer.

sudo apt install variety

AppImageLauncher: the first time you open an AppImage, it offers to move it to a central folder and add it to the app menu, so AppImages behave like installed apps. Install the .deb from the project’s releases page.