I normally use 4 different workspaces for different things, and they are always the same. Can I make a different background image for each one of them?

I would like an answer that works for GNOME 3 desktop environment, Unity and the Classic desktop environment.

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This question has multiple answers covering different Ubuntu versions:

• 17.10, 18.04 and later
• 13.04, 13.10 and 14.04
• 12.10
• 12.04
• 11.10
• 11.04
• 10.04

2

8 Answers

Ubuntu 10.04

You can get the Wallpaper plugin for Compiz by installing compiz-fusion-plugins-extra (sudo apt-get install compiz-fusion-plugins-extra). It will show up under the Utility category in CompizConfig Settings Manager.

Before you can use it, you'll have to configure Nautilus to not draw the desktop. Run gconf-editor and uncheck the setting /apps/nautilus/preferences/show_desktop. This will make all of your desktop icons disappear, and there is no solution to this drawback at this time.

To configure the Wallpaper plugin, add images to the list of backgrounds. They will be assigned to workspaces in the order they are listed, and you don't have to have the exact right number:

The result:

10

12.04

how-to

Launch dconf-editor (install dconf-tools if required)

Navigate to org - gnome - desktop - background

Now the very strange bit - by default the show-desktop-icons is unticked. Click it to tick it and click it again to untick it.

Now install some extra software:

compizconfig-settings-manager

compiz-fusion-plugins-extra

Launch the Dash and search for ccsm

Filter to wallpaper - enable the wallpaper plugin and add New wallpaper as shown.

Notes:

• during testing, when I enabled wallpaper the desktop froze solid. I had no choice but to do a hard-reset via the power button.
• remember this important bit of information:
  • Log out and back in again to show new wallpapers

What are some of the issues with CCSM and why would I want to avoid it?

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If you prefer not to risk ccsm then you can use gconf-editor (you can install it by running sudo apt-get install gconf-editor).

gconf-editor

Add the two plugins as shown.

Add a comma-separated list with the full-paths to your wallpaper as shown.

4

Ubuntu 13.04, 13.10 and 14.04

How to

Launch dconf-editor (install dconf-tools if required)

Navigate to org - gnome - desktop - background

Now the very strange bit - by default the show-desktop-icons is unticked. Click it to tick it and click it again to untick it.

Now install some extra software: compizconfig-settings-manager

Ensure you have the following package installed: compiz-plugins

Launch the Dash and search for ccsm

Filter to wallpaper - enable the wallpaper plugin and add New wallpaper as shown.

What are some of the issues with CCSM and why would I want to avoid it?

Finally - enable the use of workspaces in your System Settings (Cog Wheel menu option)

Note: the 12.04 answer described using the gsettings editor as an alternative to ccsm. The equivalent for 14.04 is dconf-editor.
It is not possible (at least not easily) due to compiz using relocatable schemas. The 'wallpaper' option under 'org.compiz.profiles.unity.plugins' will only appear when you have added a wallpaper via ccsm.

3

11.10

• You will need compizconfig-settings-manager and compiz-plugins-extra

• First see: What are some of the issues with CCSM and why would I want to avoid it?

  sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager compiz-fusion-plugins-extra

• Press Alt+F2 key combination and type gconf-editor in “Run a command” box.

In next window, navigate to “apps/nautilus/appearances” and un-check “show_dekstop” in right.

• Open Compiz and search Wallpaper plugin

• Click “New” to choose a wallpaper for your first workspace.

• Browse to select an image.

Repeat this step for all your workspaces. Once done, enable the wallpaper plugin.

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For those who don't have "show_desktop" in Configuration Editor-

1. Install gnome-tweak-tool, enter in terminal-
   sudo apt-get install gnome-tweak-tool
2. Key Alt+F2 and enter gnome-tweak-tool and hit enter.
3. Click on ▸ Desktop ▸ Have file manager handle the desktop ▸ switch to Off

4.Proceed with the above instructions for changing compiz settings.

1

Ubuntu 12.10

This is not currently possible. Due to bug #1020830, the necessary Compiz plugin is not available.

1

Ubuntu 17.10 and later

Install the Walkpaper GNOME Shell Extension from Ubuntu Software. Set a different wallpaper for each workspace by having the wallpaper switch on workspace change. After installing Walkpaper click the Extension Settings button in the Walkpaper screen in Ubuntu Software to open a Walkpaper window. In the Walkpaper window you can change the settings for each workspace by double-clicking on the current wallpaper and browsing to a new wallpaper image.

Walkpaper gives an error in GNOME Shell 3.30 on loading – global.screen is undefined. A simple user workaround is to run gedit ~/.local/share/gnome-shell/extensions/walkpaper*/extension.js and find and replace all occurrences of global.screen with global.workspace_manager. Restart gnome-shell with setsid gnome-shell --replace and press the Enter key before closing the terminal, and it should work.

3

1. Install Compiz Settings Manager:

   sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager

2. Press Atl + F2 and run:

   gconf-editor

3. Navigate to apps > nautilus > preferences and uncheck show_dekstop.

4. Next, open the Compiz Setting Manager and go to the Wallpaper plugin.

5. Click “New” to choose a wallpaper for your first workspace.

6. Browse to select an image.

7. Repeat the steps for all your workspaces. Once done, enable the wallpaper plugin.

8. Unity’s theme will look weird after enabling the plugin. Restarting the computer will fix it.

Source:

Hope this helps,

Leinardo

4

Ubuntu 11.04

I know this is possible with compiz. Do you have/use compiz? if so (install and) open compizconfig-settings-manager and look under the wallpaper plugin.

If I recall, adding multiple wallpapers would set them in order (ie. the first image selected goes to workspace one, the second image goes to workspace two). You might need to muck about in the settings to get compiz to render your wallpaper.

Open the Terminal and type this command:

 sudo apt-get install compiz compiz-core compizconfig-settings-manager compiz-plugins

Then navigate to :

• system -> preferences -> compizconfig in settings manager.

Type "wallpaper" in the search, click the wallpaper plugin, enable it on the left, select your wall papers.

I believe you may need to change more settings in the gnome compatibility options or something like that, but I can't recall exactly.

4