Ubuntu – How to move the Dash button from the Unity launcher to the top panel

I wasn't satisfied with the answers so I compared the 11.10 Unity-2D source with earlier versions. It can be done. Here's how to do it:

(for 11.04/11.10)

gksudo gedit /usr/share/unity-2d/launcher/Launcher.qml

(for 12.04)

gksudo gedit /usr/share/unity-2d/shell/launcher/Launcher.qml

Scroll down until you find the following section:

    Component.onCompleted: {
        items.appendModel(bfbModel);
        items.appendModel(applications);
        items.appendModel(workspaces);
        items.appendModel(devices);
        shelfItems.appendModel(trashes);
    }

items.appendModel(bfbModel); is the offending line of code. Remove this line (or comment it out). Save your changes and close the file.

Restart Unity-2D with:

killall unity-2d-launcher

(12.04)

killall unity-2d-shell

Let's hope someone adds a way to toggle this feature in the upcoming Unity settings manager. Cheers!

11.10

It is configurable. The unity icons are in /usr/share/unity/4. Please browse this folder with the file manager to see the thumbnails.

Here is an example to change the look of the default dash home:

cd /usr/share/unity/4
sudo mv squircle_base_54.png squircle_base_54.png.orig
sudo mv squircle_shine_54.png squircle_shine_54.png.orig
sudo cp round_outline_54x54.png squircle_base_54.png
sudo cp round_shine_54x54.png squircle_shine_54.png

Log out and log back in. You will see the new dash home.

Definitely more customization could be done as long as you replace the correct files. Please backup the original files before making the changes.

BTW, maybe you have the question: how do you know the solution? I hit the same problem and tried to search all related files:

sudo find / -type f -iname "*dash*"