Note: Dolphin is the default file manager for the KDE Plasma desktop environment, not Ubuntu’s default GNOME desktop. To use Dolphin and customize its appearance, you need a KDE-based Ubuntu variant (e.g., Kubuntu) or install the KDE Plasma desktop on your existing Ubuntu system. Below are detailed steps for customizing Dolphin’s appearance:
1. Install KDE Plasma (if not already using it)
If you’re on a standard Ubuntu (GNOME) system, install KDE Plasma and Dolphin first:
Open Terminal and run:
sudo apt update && sudo apt install kde-plasma-desktop dolphin
During installation, choose KDE Plasma as the default desktop environment when prompted. Log out and select “Plasma” from the login screen to start using Dolphin.
2. Change Dolphin Themes
Dolphin supports custom themes to alter its appearance (e.g., window borders, buttons, colors).
- Download Themes: Visit the official KDE Store or trusted third-party sites (e.g., KDE-Look.org) to download Dolphin-compatible themes (usually in
.tar.xz or .zip format).
- Install Themes: Extract the downloaded file and copy the theme folder to one of these directories:
- System-wide (for all users):
/usr/share/plasma/desktoptheme/
- User-only (recommended):
~/.local/share/plasma/desktoptheme/ (create the folder if it doesn’t exist).
- Apply Themes:
- Open Dolphin and go to Settings > Configure Dolphin > Appearance.
- Under the “Theme” tab, select your installed theme from the dropdown list.
- Click “Apply” to see changes.
3. Customize Icons
To change file/folder icons used by Dolphin:
- Download Icon Themes: Get icon packs from the KDE Store or GNOME-Look.org (look for “KDE-compatible” icons).
- Install Icons: Extract the icon pack and place it in one of these directories:
- System-wide:
/usr/share/icons/
- User-only:
~/.local/share/icons/.
- Apply Icons:
- Open Dolphin and go to Settings > Configure Dolphin > Appearance.
- Under the “Icons” tab, select your installed icon theme.
- Click “Apply” to update icon styles.
4. Adjust Panels and Toolbars
Dolphin allows you to modify panels (e.g., sidebars) and toolbars to optimize workflow:
- Customize Sidebar: Right-click the sidebar and select Configure Sidebar. Here, you can add/remove widgets (e.g., bookmarks, devices) or reorder them.
- Edit Toolbars: Go to Settings > Configure Toolbars. Drag-and-drop actions (e.g., “Copy,” “Paste”) to/from the toolbar, or use the “Configure…” button to change button icons/text.
5. Add KDE Plasma Widgets (Optional)
Enhance Dolphin’s functionality with Plasma widgets (e.g., weather, system monitors):
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop and select Add Widgets.
- Choose a widget (e.g., “File Watcher” to monitor file changes) and drag it to the desired location. While this doesn’t directly modify Dolphin, it integrates with the KDE desktop to improve usability.
Important Notes
- Always back up your system (or important files) before making changes to avoid data loss.
- If you’re new to Linux, familiarize yourself with basic terminal commands and desktop environment basics before customizing Dolphin.
- For advanced customization (e.g., editing theme files), refer to the KDE Documentation.