Enabling Desktop Icons

You can enable or disable desktop icons easily depending on your personal preference.

Budgie

With Budgie, start by opening Raven, either by clicking on its icon in the far right of the system tray or using the keyboard shortcut Super + A. Next, click the cog icon for Budgie Settings.

Alternatively, you can open the Budgie Menu and then click “Desktop” in the System Settings category.

You may now add things to your Desktop. This can be done by dragging an item onto the Desktop or by right clicking an icon and selecting Copy to / Move to Desktop. Alternatively, open the Budgie Menu and click on “Files” and then move the files you want to the Desktop folder (as shown in the image below). Please note, the Desktop folder is not visible in “Files” until you’ve enabled the Desktop icons.

GNOME

In GNOME, you can enable desktop items by opening the Overlay using the Super button on your keyboard or by clicking the Applications icon in the dock and then search for and open “Tweak Tool”. You can then toggle them on and off by clicking “Icons on Desktop” under the Desktop section.

You may now add things to your Desktop. This can be done by dragging an item onto the Desktop or by right clicking an icon and selecting Copy to / Move to Desktop. Alternatively, click on the “Files” icon in the dock and then move the files you want to the Desktop folder (as shown in the image below). Please note, the Desktop folder is not visible in “Files” until you’ve enabled the Desktop icons.

MATE

MATE has desktop icons enabled by default. If you wish to disable or re-enable them, open the Brisk Menu, click on “Preferences” and then on “MATE Tweak”. You can then toggle them on and off by clicking “Show Desktop Icons” under the Desktop section.

You may now add things to your Desktop. This can be done by dragging an item onto the Desktop, right clicking an icon and selecting Copy to / Move to Desktop or by opening the Caja file manager and then moving the files you want to the Desktop folder (as shown in the image below).