Modern Ubuntu (using the GNOME desktop environment) attempts to streamline window management by removing the traditional “Minimize” and “Maximize” buttons from the top title bar of applications, leaving only a single “Close” button. The philosophy is that users should rely on workspaces and keyboard shortcuts rather than clicking tiny buttons to manage windows.
However, if you install a third-party theme, use a different desktop environment, or run legacy applications, these buttons might reappear. If you prefer the ultra-minimalist, distraction-free GNOME philosophy and want to forcibly hide the Minimize and Maximize buttons from all your application windows, you can do so using the GNOME Tweaks tool.
How to Remove Minimize and Maximize Buttons in Ubuntu
You must use the advanced GNOME Tweaks application to modify the window title bars.
- Open your application grid and launch Tweaks (or GNOME Tweaks).
- If you do not have it installed, open a terminal and run:
sudo apt install gnome-tweaks - In the left-hand navigation sidebar of the Tweaks app, click on Window Titlebars.
- Look at the bottom of the main window for the Titlebar Buttons section.
- You will see toggle switches for Maximize and Minimize.
- Click both toggle switches to turn them Off.
The changes apply immediately to all native GNOME applications. The buttons will vanish from the top corners of your windows, leaving only the Close button (the ‘X’). You can still maximize windows by double-clicking the title bar, or manage them using keyboard shortcuts (like Super + Up Arrow), but the visual clutter of the buttons is completely gone.