By default, Ubuntu utilizes a multiple-workspace paradigm. If you press the Super (Windows) key or click the Activities button, you will see a small vertical panel on the right side of the screen displaying different “Workspaces.” You can drag windows between them to organize your workflow.
While power users and developers love multiple workspaces, casual users often find them confusing. It is incredibly easy to accidentally press a keyboard shortcut (like Ctrl+Alt+Down) and suddenly find yourself staring at a completely empty desktop, mistakenly believing that all your applications just crashed. If you prefer a traditional, single-desktop experience like older versions of Windows, you can disable the workspace switcher entirely.
How to Force Ubuntu to Use Only One Workspace
You can turn off dynamic workspaces directly from the Ubuntu Multitasking settings menu.
- Click the network/battery icon cluster in the top-right corner of the Ubuntu top bar and select Settings (the gear icon).
- In the left-hand navigation sidebar, scroll down and click on Multitasking.
- Look for the section titled Workspaces near the middle of the page.
- By default, “Dynamic workspaces” is selected. Click the radio button next to Fixed number of workspaces.
- A new setting will appear below it, labelled Number of Workspaces, with a default value of 4.
- Click the down arrow next to the number until you reach 1.
The change is instantaneous. The workspace switcher panel will completely disappear from the Activities overview. You can no longer accidentally swipe or use keyboard shortcuts to switch to a blank desktop. All your open applications will remain securely on your one, single screen.