Fedora 15 and GNOME 3: Add Minimize Button

Fedora 15 was just released on May 24, 2011, and it comes with GNOME 3. However, I found it extremely annoying that all windows only had the close button option. In order to minimize the window, you have to right click in order to see that option.

So here's how you can add the minimize button back to all windows.

1) Go to Activities->Applications and click on Add/Remove Software.

2) Search for and install 'gconf-editor' which allows you to browse and modify GConf configuration sources. The application will be installed as 'Configuration Editor' under System Tools.


3) Open the app and drill down to desktop->gnome->shell->windows

4) Modify 'button_layout' and set the values as ':minimize,maximize,close'

5) Now simply use your handy dandy keyboard shortcut ALT+F2 then r followed by enter. Or instead, logout and log back in.

You may also want to read my other post on how to add a shutdown option to Fedora 15.

And please see the Gnome CheatSheet for more keyboard shortcuts.