Hide Unity Launcher in Ubuntu 14.04 - Easy Guide
Automatically Hiding the Unity Launcher in Ubuntu 14.04
Many users appreciate the functionality of the Unity Launcher within Ubuntu 14.04. However, its persistent presence can consume valuable desktop space. Fortunately, a method exists to configure the launcher to automatically conceal itself when not actively in use.
NOTE: When running Ubuntu 14.04 inside a virtual machine environment, such as VirtualBox, hiding the launcher may prevent its subsequent re-display by moving the mouse cursor to the screen's left edge or upper-left corner. An alternative solution for minimizing the launcher’s footprint is detailed at the article’s conclusion.
How to Enable Auto-Hide
To activate the automatic hiding feature, begin by clicking the system menu located in the top-right corner of the screen, within the top panel. From the presented drop-down menu, select “System Settings.”
The “System Settings” window will then appear. Within the “Personal” category, click on the “Appearance” option.
Navigating to the “Appearance” screen, select the “Behavior” tab.
On the right-hand side of the “Behavior” tab, you’ll find an ON/OFF toggle switch. Click this switch to change its state to ON.
The switch will visually indicate its active state by turning orange. Further customization options for the hidden Unity Launcher become available within the “Auto-hide the Launcher” section of the “Behavior” tab.
Under the “Reveal location” setting, you can choose whether the launcher should reappear when the mouse is moved to “Left side” or only to the “Top left corner” of the screen. The “Reveal sensitivity” slider allows you to adjust the responsiveness of this reveal location.
After configuring your preferred settings, close the “Settings” dialog box by clicking the “X” button situated in the upper-left corner.
Alternative Solution
If you prefer not to hide the Unity Launcher, or encounter issues doing so within a virtual machine, you can reduce its size by making the icons smaller. This will minimize the amount of desktop space it occupies. Furthermore, we have previously documented eight essential tips for mastering the Unity Launcher.