By default, Ubuntu Desktop features a persistent Dock (the application launcher) on the left side of the screen. If you maximize a web browser or a terminal window, the Dock remains visible, taking up valuable horizontal screen real estate. To fix this, many users enable the “Auto-hide” feature, which slides the Dock off-screen when a window touches it.
However, the Auto-hide feature can be incredibly frustrating. It is highly sensitive, and accidentally bumping the left edge of your screen with your mouse will cause the Dock to suddenly slide out and cover your work. If you want the Dock to remain permanently visible at all times—or alternatively, if you want to turn auto-hide off because it is annoying—you can manage this behavior in the settings.
How to Disable Dock Auto-Hide in Ubuntu
You can lock the Dock in place using the Ubuntu Appearance settings.
- 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 Appearance (on newer versions of Ubuntu, this might be under Ubuntu Desktop).
- Locate the section titled Dock.
- You will see a toggle switch labelled Auto-hide the Dock.
- Click the toggle switch to turn it Off.
- (Optional): If the permanent Dock is taking up too much space, look just below the toggle switch and adjust the Icon size slider to make the Dock thinner.
With Auto-hide disabled, the Ubuntu Dock will become a permanent, solid fixture on your screen. Maximized applications will snap neatly alongside it, and you will never have to wait for an animation to play just to launch a new program.