> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://itsfoss.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 5 Things elementary OS 6 Should Improve for a Better Linux Desktop Experience - URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/elementary-os-6-things-to-improve/ - Published: 2021-12-26T09:39:00.000Z - Updated: 2021-12-25T10:32:23.000Z - Author: Ankush Das - Tags: Opinion, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15 [elementary OS 6.1 is the latest release](https://news.itsfoss.com/elementary-os-6-1-release/?ref=itsfoss.com) with many essential improvements and new features. Of course, the choice of a Linux distro for your system varies on many levels. However, I think there are a few things in elementary OS that could have been done differently. Here, I list some of the aspects that could use some improvements in elementary OS. ***Note that this is entirely my opinion, so take it with a pinch of salt.*** ## Things That Can Be Improved in elementary OS If you are curious, I plan to point out things I don’t like for other distributions as well (starting with this). It is usual to feature the good stuff but unless someone points out the potential nuances in a distro, you cannot really decide whether the distro is for you or not. ### 1\. No Built-in Debian Package Installer ![elementary OS](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2021/12/Screenshot-from-2021-12-17-12.16.32.png) Considering it as an Ubuntu-based distribution, downloading a deb file to only find that you cannot install, makes you look for solutions. This makes sense because elementary OS switched to a Flatpak-only model with [elementary OS 6 release](https://news.itsfoss.com/elementary-os-6-release/?ref=itsfoss.com), even for the first-party applications. However, new users are likely to be unaware of solutions like “**Eddy**” which is a Debian package installer and available in the AppCenter. A notice/tip that points to you to the tool when you try installing a deb package should make it clear. Or, having Eddy pre-installed should make things convenient. ### 2\. Flathub Support out of the box ![elementary OS](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2021/12/Screenshot-from-2021-12-17-12.16.01.png) The Flatpak-first approach makes things more secure and convenient. However, you cannot install Flatpak applications via Flathub unless you manually add the third-party Flatpak repo (using the terminal). Even though AppCenter features Flatpak applications, it may not be enough for all users. In contrast, Flathub offers a massive collection of Flatpaks. While it is good to offer a first-party experience and give the ability to the user to enable third-party (Flathub) if required, but can something be done to easily enable the Flathub support without heading to the terminal? (ignoring the flatpak ref files) ![elementary OS](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2021/12/elementary-flathub-add.png) Well, I think a quick toggle switch to enable/disable out-of-the-box support for Flathub could make things better. Or, mention the command along with the suggestion to enable Flathub as you noticed in the screenshots above. ### 3\. Minimize button ![elementary OS](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2021/12/minimize-button-elementary-os.png) Considering elementary OS does not feature any auto-tiling window feature like Pop!\_OS, the lack of minimize button on many applications could prove to be annoying. Yes, you can utilize the keyboard shortcut **Super + H** to hide/minimize the window. However, for mouse-oriented users, it does not feel comfortable to not have a minimize button. ### 4\. No System Tray Support ![elementary OS](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2021/12/elementary-os-system-tray.png) As per their design choices, the elementary OS team thinks that its best to not have system tray support (or so I read as per some Reddit posts). Unfortunately, the system tray icons are incredibly useful for quick access, and to keep an eye on the status of something. For instance, I can quickly access the Flameshot screenshot tool from the app indicator icon, check sync status when using a tool like Insync, and also get informed when there is a message for me in Slack. And, without the system tray icon integration support, I cannot do any of this, which is a deal-breaker. ### 5\. A Separate NVIDIA ISO ![elementary OS](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2021/12/elementary-os-nvidia-driver.png) A separate NVIDIA ISO (or Nvidia graphics installation mode) is much more convenient than installing a proprietary Nvidia driver through the software center. Sure, I did not have any issues installing Nvidia drivers using the AppCenter. But, with a separate ISO, you eliminate the additional step after installation. ## Wrapping Up There are flaws in every operating system, a Linux distribution is not an exception. Sometimes these nuances are there by design, as per their targeted users. You may or may not like everything that a distro does, which is why it is important to know what can they do better (or if it is suitable for you). elementary OS is undoubtedly [one of the most beautiful Linux distributions](https://itsfoss.com/beautiful-linux-distributions/) out there. But, is it the one for you? Well, if some of the points that I mention do not bother you, it should be a great experience for you.