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@rgo
Created March 13, 2012 01:16
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Gnome-shell dual monitor separate workspaces
# By default the behavior is:
# Primary monitor work as always and second monitor only have one and fixed workspace
# I.e. you change to next workspace, primary monitor change to this workspace and second monitor remain as is.
# The desired behaviour is:
# Primary monitor and secondary monitor are linked workspace.
# I.e. you change to next workspace, primary monitor change to this workspace and second monitor too.
$ gconf-editor
# Look for /desktop/gnome/shell/windows/workspaces_only_on_primary and set to false
@Tyil
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Tyil commented Nov 1, 2012

You can do this in 1 command using
gsettings set org.gnome.shell.overrides workspaces-only-on-primary false

@mercutio22
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WOW!
This is invaluable.

@mrenvoize
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Any tips on three minister setup... I'd love to have two screens as one workspace, but the third as a static space.

@vyruz
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vyruz commented Aug 24, 2014

Is there any way to have the monitors have separate workspace movement rather than having to be at the same level on both?

@BuZZ-dEE
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"Is there any way to have the monitors have separate workspace movement rather than having to be at the same level on both?"

Yes, I also would like to have that behaviour?

@Frozenfire92
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@BuZZ-dEE @vyruz I'm also looking for that functionality, let me know if you come across it

@petitJAM
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petitJAM commented Aug 6, 2018

@vyruz @BuZZ-dEE @Frozenfire92 did you ever find a way?

@jaddie
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jaddie commented Jun 12, 2019

Did anyone ever find a way of having individual workspaces per monitor?

@GrayWizard12345
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GrayWizard12345 commented Sep 18, 2019

@vyruz @BuZZ-dEE @Frozenfire92 @petitJAM @jaddie Did anyone find a way of having individual workspaces per monitor? It seems XMonad window manager has this feature but I don't really want to change my window manager...

@petitJAM
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Nope, I just have workspace switching on my primary monitor with static secondary monitors. Just got used to it :/

@rgo
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rgo commented Sep 20, 2019

With gnome 3.30 seems that each workspace could be configured separated and it's configured via GNOME Tweaks app (more info: https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-shell/issues/612 )
I can't say more becauase it is not an issue for me anymore (sorry), I hope it helps.

@jethroguce
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Has anyone found a solution to have individual workspace per monitor?

@mastercoy
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well... wishing someday someone mess with it

@rgo
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rgo commented Jun 3, 2020

In the issue that I linked, it seems to be fixed:

gsettings set org.gnome.mutter workspaces-only-on-primary false

It's also mentioned:

By the way, you should be able to set this in the Workspaces page of the GNOME Tweaks app.

I can't confirm it because I don't have a Linux desktop with two monitors nowadays.

@vala84no
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vala84no commented Jul 6, 2020

Linked workspaces work just fine on multi monitors on Ubuntu 20.04. I don't think there's a solution for separate workspaces per monitor however.

@jose-daniel
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jose-daniel commented Oct 8, 2021

Thanks @rgo, this command saved my life! Now it's working with multiple monitors.
gnome-tweaks isn't working on 20.04 so this is the only way to change this config.

In the issue that I linked, it seems to be fixed:

gsettings set org.gnome.mutter workspaces-only-on-primary false

It's also mentioned:

By the way, you should be able to set this in the Workspaces page of the GNOME Tweaks app.

I can't confirm it because I don't have a Linux desktop with two monitors nowadays.

@rgo
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rgo commented Oct 13, 2021

You're welcome @jose-daniel 👍🏻

@Hugobsb
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Hugobsb commented May 2, 2024

Did anyone ever find a way of having individual workspaces per monitor?

I'm also interested. If anyone ever found that, I'd like to know how.

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