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# GNOME 45 Release Ditches the "Activities" Button
- URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/gnome-45-release/
- Published: 2023-09-21T03:09:24.000Z
- Updated: 2023-09-21T04:23:56.000Z
- Description: The latest and greatest of GNOME desktop is here.
- Author: Sourav Rudra
- Tags: DE Releases, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15

Over the years, we have seen GNOME evolve regularly, with new features and improvements on offer alongside every major release.

Last time, [GNOME 44](https://itsfoss.com/gnome-44-release/) offered some really cool features, and now the GNOME 45 release is following suit with many improvements on offer.

Let's see what's in store for us.

## GNOME 45: What's new?

Even though we have covered some of the best [features of GNOME 45](https://itsfoss.com/gnome-45/) separately, allow me to give you a quick recap with all the relevant details of this release.

- **System Settings Tweaks**
- **New workspace indicator**
- **Inclusion of New/Updated Core Apps**
- **UI Improvements for Nautilus**

[GNOME 45 Packs in Exciting Upgrades: Here’s What’s NewThe features and improvements that you can expect with GNOME 45\. We’ve listed them here.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/08/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSS NewsAnkush Das![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/08/gnome-45-features-ft.png)](https://itsfoss.com/gnome-45/)

### New Workspace Indicators

![gnome 45 indicators](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/09/gnome-45-indicator-1.gif)

GNOME 45 did make the "**Activities**" button out of fashion as per our [original coverage](https://itsfoss.com/gnome-activities-indicator/).

Instead of the button, we now have a pill-shaped dynamic indicator to let you know about the active workspace and the number of workspaces. 

A subtle but a neat design change!

### System Settings Tweaks

![a screenshot of the privacy tab on gnome 45 settings menu](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/09/GNOME_45_Release_1.png)

GNOME 45 has bought about **a revamped “Privacy” menu** under the settings app, that now features the various options in a more organized manner than before.

The “**About**” section has also been tweaked to now show technical information via a “**System Details**” menu. Other than that, the online accounts settings have also been improved for better usability.

### Inclusion of New Core Apps

![a screenshot of the loupe image viewer](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/09/GNOME_45_Release_2.jpg)

Loupe Image Viewer

The GNOME 45 release bids a goodbye to the “Eye of GNOME” image viewer in favor of [Loupe](https://itsfoss.com/loupe-image-viewer/), and replaces the “Cheese” camera app in favor of [Snapshot](https://itsfoss.com/gnome-snapshot/).

**Existing core apps have also been updated.**

**In the case of Maps**, there are some subtle changes such as tweaks to the zoom buttons, and a reworked sidebar.

Similarly, **the Weather app** features a bigger default window size to make space for all the thermometer widgets.

Not to forget, the **Calculator app** now supports more currencies, and the **Connections app** can now copy/paste text, images, and files with RDP connections.

### 🎨 UI Improvements for Nautilus

![gnome 45 nautilus](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/09/gnome-45-file-manager.png)

The Nautilus file manager has **received a minimal UI tweak**, where a new hamburger menu in the left sidebar now makes the sidebar look more distinct than before.

### 🛠️ Other Changes and Improvements

Other than the highlights we discussed, here are a few other changes worth noting;

- The document scanner app has been ported to GTK4.
- Various apps have received new visuals and improved adaptive behavior.
- A new toggle was added for controlling the keyboard backlight in quick settings.
- A new camera indicator was added to the shell for showing when the camera is active.

If you are curious, you can refer to the official [release notes](https://release.gnome.org/45/?ref=itsfoss.com) to know more about all the details.

**Suggested Read** 📖

[Fedora 39 Features: It’s Time To Talk About Them!Fedora 39 is coming in hot! Learn what’s new here before you get it installed.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/08/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSS NewsAnkush Das![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/09/fedora-39-features.png)](https://itsfoss.com/fedora-39-features/)

## Get Started With GNOME 45

You can expect GNOME 45 to make a debut with [Fedora 39](https://itsfoss.com/fedora-39-features/) and [Ubuntu 23.10](https://itsfoss.com/ubuntu-23-10/).

Until then, you can take GNOME 45 out for a spin by installing [GNOME OS](https://os.gnome.org/?ref=news.itsfoss.com) using [Boxes](https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Boxes?ref=news.itsfoss.com) or manually install it on your Arch distro (when it is available in the repo).

Do keep in mind that GNOME OS is meant for testing purposes.

[GNOME](https://www.gnome.org/getting-gnome/?ref=news.itsfoss.com)

*💬 What are your thoughts of this release? Were you expecting something more?*