Customize GNOME Desktop (Fedora)

This article contains my notes on how to customize the GNOME Desktop on Fedora Workstation.

Used Software Versions

Software	Version
GNOME	48
Fedora Linux	42 (Workstation Edition)

User Interface

Minimize and Maximize Buttons

By default GNOME Desktop does not show buttons for minimizing or maximizing a windows as in Microsoft Windows.

They can be activated either by installing gnome-tweaks or via command line:

gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.preferences button-layout 'appmenu:minimize,maximize,close'

Security

Enable Fingerprint Reader

The following is tested with the software versions mentioned in the top of the article on a Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen1.

Install the needed packages (these are installed on Fedora 42 Workstation by default):

sudo dnf install fprintd fprintd-pam

Check if service is running properly:

systemclt status fprintd.service

Erase old prints if needed:

fprintd-delete $USER

Enroll your new fingerprints:

fprintd-enroll

This command gives instructions, which finger should be enrolled. Enrollment will be repeated for up to 10 times.

Verify fingerprint:

fprintd-verify

Enable authentication with fingerprints:

sudo authselect enable-feature with-fingerprint
sudo authselect apply-changes

Verify:

sudo authselect current

After that on unlock / login screen there should be the hint below the password field:

(or place finger on reader)

If this does not show up, perhaps reboot.

Further reading: https://discussion.fedoraproject.org/t/fingerprint-reader-does-not-work/104739