Ubuntu 18: Top bar for all monitors

Question

I just installed Ubuntu 18. Since the top bar is only on the primary monitor, I can't use the mouse to grab and move my Chrome window (the top of the screen looks like below). Trying to do so results in grabbing a single tab and opening it in a new window.

Is there a way around this? Ideally, I'd like to have the top bar across all screens. Another obvious disadvantage of only having the top bar on one screen is that the window menu of any window, not just Chrome, is displayed on the left upper corner of my left screen even when the window is in the lower right corner of the right screen.

Solution 1

For me the easiest option was to revert to the Unity desktop manager (which was standard before but then got replaced by GNOME in Ubuntu 18) using

$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt install ubuntu-unity-desktop

Solution 2

You can use a Gnome Shell extension, such as Multi Monitors, to add the top bar on the second monitor.

If you're not familiar with installing Gnome Shell extensions, you may want to see this: How do I install and manage GNOME Shell extensions?

Solution 3

In the default GNOME window manager that comes with Ubuntu 18, you can move any window by holding down the Windows key while clicking on the window you want to move. Drag it to its' new position and you're done!

Note, in the Unity window manager, used before Ubuntu 17, you would hold down the Alt key instead.

I personally lament the absence of this feature every time I have to use Windows or a Mac.

Comments

[Todd]

I would note that this is an extreme last resort. This is a heavy measure to take, especially for new users of Ubuntu. Using a shell extension is far simpler and maintains the default desktop manager (the one with the current most support, used by most users).

[Bananach]

@Todd I was kind of new at the time of this question. "Gnome shell extension" already sounds difficult and hacky, and the fact that the installation instructions in the answer above start by requiring the installation of gnometweaktools didnt help get rid of that impression. I have never had any problems or even noticed that I have installed Unity and I don't see how anything can be simpler than a single apt install. For real producticity, not just brainless and inferior Windows clones I recommend i3 nowadays by the way. This is where it gets complicated ;)

[Shakil]

Looks like ubuntu 18.04.2 comes with multiple desktop environment. From login window (gear icon), unity can be chosen directly! Cheers!

[matanster]

It seems that downloading the extension requires somehow figuring your Shell version (3.32, 3.30, etc), what might be the best way? I also wonder how much do people find this extension very safe/stable to install, if anyone cares sharing (please!)

[pomsky]

@Shakil That doesn't sound correct, a fresh installation should only offer GNOME 3 sessions.

[Kennet Celeste]

This doesn't show extensions on all monitors

[Mickey Perlstein]

thats like replacing your car because you dont want to change the radio in the car. Gnome shell extensions is not a by-product, its an extensibility option BUILT into the gnome desktop.

[Bananach]

@MickeyPerlstein I actually like that comparison. In modern cars, changing the radio is more complicated than buying the same car again with a different radio. I wouldn't do that because it'd be expensive, but luckily Linux is free. I'll choose a two line 10 seconds solution over multi step, multi tool, day wasting solution anytime

[Bananach]

I'm still the Ubuntu noob that I was back then by the way, so don't interpret my comment as a technical argument, it just reflects my being tired with how complicated simple things often are in Ubuntu and my being happy that in this case there was a simple solution that didn't cause me any problems at all. I don't understand why Ubuntu power users hate this so much

[ken]

I'm a little late to this, but installing an extension is a 10 second solution. The article linked overcomplicates the process.

[Bikash Gyawali]

I got the top bar with this but not the indicators that appear on the right side of the bar (sound, network, battery etc.) appeared on all the monitors.

[FKEinternet]

It really was that simple - just replace the idiot Gnome desktop with Unity, and everything now works as it should.

[P. Conant]

I did also not get any indicators on 20.04.