Useability of recent Linux Zoom application versions

[vdid]

Recent versions (currently running 6.1.1) of the Zoom application (both .deb and .rpm packages) took over window decorations. Specifically, they took over the window title bar and its pop-up menus.

It is a problem with the main window, as without special shortcuts, one has no place to grab and move the window using a mouse or trackpad.

It is a problem both in the main and meeting windows, as I no longer have access to the window manager's functions, like "Always on top," which are especially handy for the meeting windows.

Interfering with standard environment features that users are accustomed to is not a winning strategy and is a questionable interface decision. May it be that I missed how to re-enable the old interface?

Currently on Fedora 40, Wayland, Gnome 46.

[lil_waffle]

This has been a problem for me too. I'm using GNOME v43.9 on Debian and without the desktop environment's normal window decorations, very useful features like keeping the Zoom window on top of other windows or pinning the Zoom window to all virtual desktops can't be used at all.

There's another thread with proposed solutions for KDE and Fluxbox here, but I haven't figured out whether a similar configuration could be implemented for GNOME.

[peter_skoda]

Got the same problem. An impossibility to set up whatever related to a window title bar - Always On Top above all - is both annoying and ridiculous.

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

[peter_skoda]

The same issue with 6.2.0.1855 version.

[lil_waffle]

I recently learned that you can access the GNOME window commands by alt-right-clicking a window, and this works on Zoom's custom windows. It's not an ideal solution for me but it's a simple workaround.

[arth_ · Accepted solution]

As of zoom 6.2.0.1855 (don't know about earlier versions) there is an option in Settings -> Accessibility -> Miscellaneous -> "Use system title bars and borders".

This fixed the problem on Ubuntu 22.04 running TrinityDesktop, probably will do so with other desktop environments.

[lil_waffle]

How did I miss this? I thought I looked through all the settings for exactly this option. Apparently, Zoom tech support doesn't know about this setting either because they told me "works as designed, submit a feature request" when I submitted a ticket. I'm using v6.1.11 and the setting is in that version too. Thank you.

[vdid]

Excellent, thank you for pointing it out! I finally had a chance to upgrade, and yes, the window decorations can be turned back on.

[vdid]

Thank you! Finally, I got to upgrade, and, as you mentioned, the window decorations are configurable.

[peter_skoda]

I must have missed that option, thank you very much!