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ska352
Newcomer
June 17, 2024
Solved

Get Window Decorations Back on Linux Client

  • June 17, 2024
  • 15 replies
  • 6 views

Zoom on Linux (Ubuntu)

Version 6.1.0.198

 

So, the new version (see above) finally brought the new look that was announced earlier with version 6.0.0 (4563). Yes, it looks more modern. 👍

 

But

It removes window decorations like the title bar and the borders. As someone who uses the title bar to see whether a window is "sticky" in a multi-desktop setup (sticky means, it moves around with me while I change desktop), this makes the Zoom app less efficient. In just one day, I had already so many occasions on which I left behind a Zoom window (keep in mind that the stickiness changes whenever someone stops sharing a screen) that I got very disappointed with the change.

 

I looked around in the settings to find something that would bring the window decorations back, but wasn't successful.

 

Does anyone have any pointers how to get window decorations back? Is it even possible? If not, is there any chance the Product Management at Zoom listens? (If I need to edit weird text files, that's fine. 25+ years Linux user here.)

    Best answer by cayhorstmann

    Settings → Accessibility → Miscellaneous → Use system title bar and borders. Works with OpenBox and Zoom 6.3.5.

    15 replies

    M
    Newcomer
    morgancoxuk
    Newcomer
    June 18, 2024

    I'd also like to know - i'm running plasma 5.27.x on kubuntu and the new titlebar is really fat and looks silly

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      Newcomer
      ska352Author
      Newcomer
      June 19, 2024

      Adding to this: If you run Zoom in dual monitor setup, all self-written controls like dragging the window and resizing it don't work on the second window. This is a strong regression. I only realized later because I usually drag and resize windows with a modifier key. Most people would use the window decorations for this, though.

        A
        Newcomer
        alanbur
        Newcomer
        June 21, 2024

        Yes, it's completely broken. I've logged a ticket and rolled back to the previous version, if you have a support account I suggest logging a ticket, the more people do the more likely it is to get fixed.

        S
        Newcomer
        ska352Author
        Newcomer
        July 2, 2024

        I think the resize/move issues were fixed in version 6.1.1 (443). I still keep my fix for the window decorations to be able to see the stickiness state of the windows. It makes them uglier, but I care more about function than form.

        P
        Newcomer
        pd3
        Newcomer
        June 21, 2024

        I have the same problem, it is hugely annoying.

          S
          Newcomer
          ska352Author
          Newcomer
          June 22, 2024

          Solution on KDE (only implemented just now; must stand the test of time):

          * Open System Settings

          * Go to Window Management -> Window Rules

          * Match on "Window class (application)" with "Exact Match" on "zoom"

          * "Match whole window class": "no"

          * Add property "No titlebar and frame", set it to "No"

          * I currently have set it to "force". Maybe a more relaxed setting can work, too.

            P
            Newcomer
            peter_skoda
            Newcomer
            September 13, 2024

            This is not usable for GNOME.

            See https://community.zoom.com/t5/Zoom-Meetings/Useability-of-recent-Linux-Zoom-application-versions/td-p/192889

            U
            Newcomer
            uiuxexpert
            Newcomer
            August 14, 2024

            Same here. Such bad experience in Ubuntu now. Pity the KDE fix doesn't work for Ubuntu. We really should be naming and shaming the designers who came up with this wonderful "improvement". Seriously Zoom folks, you have a buttload of other things you could be ruining before you ruin the title bar.

              D
              Newcomer
              d81
              Newcomer
              March 20, 2025

              I agree completely. Lobotomizing applications by not using the native window manager decorations is the most idiotic UI design decision I've seen in a long time. I encountered the same problem with Firefox and Chrome in Kubuntu 24.04, and I have no idea why some folks are doing that.

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              Newcomer
              confluency
              Newcomer
              August 19, 2024

              I just upgraded, and this is very irritating. I shouldn't have to jump through hoops to make my window sticky across workspaces. I have to find a different workaround on each of my desktops, since I don't use KDE on either.

               

              Operating systems have window decorations for a reason. They're a standardised part of the UI. Please stop breaking basic usability for cosmetic reasons.

                N
                Newcomer
                nrettinghouse
                Newcomer
                August 26, 2024

                I'm on xfce4. I can't "windowshade", "push behind" or make a window "sticky" anymore.

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                  Newcomer
                  dz1
                  Newcomer
                  September 5, 2024

                  I'm on Ubuntu Desktop and I can't even drag the window to a different location on my monitor. 

                    C
                    Newcomer
                    confluency
                    Newcomer
                    September 5, 2024

                    Good news for me and the three other people who still use Fluxbox: you can add this to your ~/.fluxbox/apps

                    [app] (name=zoom) (class=zoom)
                        [Deco] {NORMAL}
                    [end]

                    ... and reload config, to force all zoom windows to have normal decorations.

                    L
                    Newcomer
                    lil_waffle
                    Newcomer
                    September 10, 2024

                    This has been seriously bothering me since I last updated Zoom. I'm using GNOME v43.9 on Debian. Does anyone know whether it's possible to return the window decorations and special behaviors (always on top, always on visible workspace, and so on) to Zoom's windows on GNOME?

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