How do I disable gnome panel?

To disable the GNOME panel, you can approach this in a few ways, depending on whether you want to hide it, prevent users from configuring it, or fundamentally change your desktop experience. While the GNOME top bar is an integral part of the shell, its appearance and configurability can be managed.

Understanding GNOME Panel Disabling

"Disabling" the GNOME panel can mean different things:

1. Hiding or Auto-Hiding: Making the top bar disappear to maximize screen space, typically achieved via GNOME Shell Extensions.
2. Locking Configuration: Preventing users from making changes to panel settings, often used in managed environments.
3. Removing Elements: Customizing what appears on the panel, or switching to a different desktop environment that doesn't use a panel.

Here's how to address each scenario.

1. Hiding or Auto-Hiding the GNOME Top Bar

The GNOME top bar is not designed to be simply "disabled" and removed through a simple setting, as it contains critical system indicators, the activities overview, and the clock. However, GNOME Shell Extensions offer effective ways to hide or auto-hide it.

Recommended Extensions:

• Hide Top Bar: This extension provides options to completely hide the top bar or make it auto-hide.
• Dash to Panel: While primarily merging the Dash and Top Bar, it offers extensive customization including auto-hide features for the resulting panel.

Steps to Install and Configure Extensions:

1. Install Browser Connector: Ensure you have the chrome-gnome-shell (or firefox-gnome-shell) package installed and the GNOME Shell Integration browser extension for your web browser.
   • sudo apt install chrome-gnome-shell (for Ubuntu/Debian) or sudo dnf install chrome-gnome-shell (for Fedora)
2. Visit GNOME Extensions Website: Open your web browser and go to extensions.gnome.org.
3. Search for an Extension: Use the search bar to find "Hide Top Bar" or "Dash to Panel."
4. Install: Click on the extension and toggle the "ON" switch to install it.
5. Configure: Once installed, you can access the extension's settings by clicking the gear icon next to its name on the website or by using the Extensions (or GNOME Tweaks) application on your system.
   • In the extension settings, look for options like "Auto-hide," "Always hide," or sensitivity settings to configure its behavior.

2. Locking Down GNOME Panel Configuration

For system administrators or in shared environments, you might want to prevent users from modifying the panel's configuration. This can be achieved by setting a specific dconf key.

To disable panel configuration and prevent users from making changes to its settings, you need to set the /desktop/gnome/lockdown/lockdown_panel_config key to true.

This can be done using the gsettings command-line tool or through the graphical dconf-editor.

Method A: Using gsettings (Command Line)

Open a terminal and execute the following command:

gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.lockdown lockdown-panel-config true

To revert this and allow configuration again, set it to false:

gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.lockdown lockdown-panel-config false

Method B: Using dconf-editor (Graphical)

1. Install dconf-editor: If you don't have it, install it using your package manager:
   • sudo apt install dconf-editor (for Ubuntu/Debian)
   • sudo dnf install dconf-editor (for Fedora)
2. Launch dconf-editor: Open the application from your applications menu.
3. Navigate to the Key: In dconf-editor, go to org → gnome → desktop → lockdown.
4. Toggle the Switch: Find the lockdown-panel-config entry and toggle its switch to "ON" (true).

This action prevents users from modifying core panel settings, enhancing system stability and consistency in managed setups.

3. Customizing or Removing Panel Elements

While you can't typically "remove" the entire GNOME top bar, you can customize its elements or choose a different desktop environment for a panel-free experience.

• GNOME Shell Extensions: Many extensions allow you to hide specific elements of the top bar (e.g., date/time, application menu). Explore the GNOME Extensions website for "Hiding Clock," "Removing Activities Button," etc.
• Switching Desktop Environments: If you desire a desktop experience without a traditional top bar or panel, consider alternative desktop environments like:
  • i3-gaps, Sway: Tiling window managers that offer extreme minimalism and no inherent panel. You can add a status bar (e.g., Polybar, Waybar) if needed.
  • Openbox, Fluxbox: Lightweight stacking window managers that are very customizable and typically start with a very minimal or no panel, requiring you to configure one if desired.

Summary of Disabling Methods

Method	Purpose	Tools/Actions	Impact
Hide/Auto-Hide	Maximize screen space, cleaner look	GNOME Shell Extensions (e.g., Hide Top Bar)	Top bar appears/disappears based on settings
Lock Configuration	Prevent user changes to panel settings	gsettings command or dconf-editor (lockdown-panel-config key)	Users cannot modify panel settings
Customizing Elements	Remove specific indicators or menus	GNOME Shell Extensions	Targeted elements disappear
Switching DE	Fundamentally change desktop interaction	Install and select a different Desktop Environment	Complete change to UI/UX, may remove panel entirely

By choosing the method that best fits your needs, you can effectively manage or "disable" the GNOME panel as desired.