Ubuntu
unity package

Restore old classic Window Menu disabling global menu

Asked by James McKelvey

I want to get rid of the "master" menu at the top of the screen and restore the menues on the application window itself. I'm running 11.10.

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Warren Hill
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Warren Hill (warren-hill) said : 		#1

With Ubuntu 11.04 the default desktop was changed to Unity. I don't think you can do what you want in unity, this is a feature, but if anyone knows differently please let us know.

However, you don't have to use the default desktop you can install another one.

Many people including myself preferred the desktop in version 10.10. You cant get that back exactly but you can install something that looks a lot like it and is certainly close enough for most people. This desktop also has the advantage of running faster than Unity.

If you would like to do this then open a terminal and type:

sudo apt-get install gnome-session-fallback

it will ask for your password and install the alternate desktop "Gnome". Next time you restart your PC you will be able to select this desktop when you log in.

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marcobra (Marco Braida) (marcobra) said : 		#2

http://www.webupd8.org/2011/03/disable-appmenu-global-menu-in-ubuntu.html

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James McKelvey (mckelvey) said : 		#3

Warren,

Thanks, that works. But one thing is wrong: there is no System menu, just Applications and Places. If I go to System Settings in the upper right-hand corner, there is no way to check for updates.

Jim

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marcus aurelius (adbiz) said : 		#4

gnome-fallback is really retarded. the system menu is under the applications menu

i tried it for a few days and got fed up with how unproductive it was and reinstalled 10.04.

also, a lot of things that were in 10.04 are absent from gnome fallback. if you want all the functionality, you have to use unity.

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Best Warren Hill (warren-hill) said : 		#5

As stated in my original post

gnome-session-fallback

Is not the same as the old 10.04 desktop but it is close.

True there is no "system" menu but most, if not all, l the functions are there under the "Applications" menu.

Jim: to check for updates "Applications">"Other">"Update Manager"

Marcus: I have not felt the need for Unity at all. What can you do in Unity that I can't? I don't see it as any more or less powerful It's just different and I would have preferred to stay with the desktop as it was in 10.04 but thats not an option any more. Its a personal preference.

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James McKelvey (mckelvey) said : 		#6

Thanks for the help!