Virtual Desktops Only On Primary Original

Kwin Scripts desktops monitor primary virtual workspaces

Source (link to git-repo or to original if based on someone elses unmodified work): https://github.com/wsdfhjxc/virtual-desktops-only-on-primary

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6 .6
Description:

This is a KWin script that brings a feature similar to GNOME Mutter's 
workspaces-only-on-primary
option, that is switchable virtual desktops on the primary monitor, and non-switchable virtual desktops on other monitors.

The script is intended to be used with KWin running under KDE Plasma desktop environment.


Explanation

By default, virtual desktops are shared by all monitors, due to KWin following X11 standards, like EWMH. It means that switching virtual desktops changes visible content on all monitors at the same time, which may be undesirable.

When the script is enabled, all windows placed on monitors other than the primary, are automatically set to be shown on all virtual desktops. This can be considered a hack, but from the user's perspective, this effectively results in having multiple switchable virtual desktops on the primary monitor, and fixed non-switchable virtual desktops on other monitors. That's how GNOME Shell handles workspaces by default, and the script mimics that.

For example, this can be useful in a setup with a laptop and an external monitor, where the laptop acts as a primary monitor, or in general, any other setup, where multiple virtual desktops on the primary monitor make sense, but for external monitors it's enough to only have fixed virtual desktops.


Installation

From System Settings

The fastest way is to find and install the script in the System Settings Add-On Installer. To do so, open System Settings, select Window Management category, then select KWin Scripts tab, click Get New Scripts button and type "virtual desktops only on primary" in the search box. After that, you should be able to install the script.

To upgrade, or uninstall the script, KDE Plasma's Discover can be used.

From downloaded kwinscript file

The downloaded kwinscript file can be installed either by choosing Install from File option in the System Settings (as mentioned earlier), or by running some commands in terminal.

To install the script, run:

kpackagetool5 -i virtual-desktops-only-on-primary-*.kwinscript


To upgrade the script to a newer version, run:

kpackagetool5 -u virtual-desktops-only-on-primary-*.kwinscript


To uninstall the script, regardless of the installation method, run:

kpackagetool5 -t KWin/Script -r virtual-desktops-only-on-primary


From cloned repository

To install the script, run: 
./helper.sh install


To upgrade the script to a newer version, run: 
./helper.sh upgrade


To uninstall the script, regardless of the installation method, run: 
./helper.sh uninstall



Usage

You just have to enable the script in the System Settings after installation.

3 comments
Comments/Ratings

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7

ajreissig

6 days ago

7 I have run into a problem with the script. It does work as described, but when the secondary monitor switches to another desktop, you loose the ability to configure the desktop. So no wallpaper, no folder, etc. Right clicking on the desktop doesn't bring up the configure desktop dialog.

Report

10

elguitar

2 months ago

10 10 the best - Seems to work great! This makes my life much easier.

Report

9

the-zynex

3 months ago

9 9 excellent - Simple and brilliant

Report

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product-maker ajreissig Sep 22 2020 7 good
I have run into a problem with the script. It does work as described, but when the secondary monitor switches to another desktop, you loose the ability to configure the desktop. So no wallpaper, no folder, etc. Right clicking on the desktop doesn't bring up the configure desktop dialog.
product-maker elguitar Jul 16 2020 10 the best
10 the best - Seems to work great! This makes my life much easier.
product-maker the-zynex Jun 28 2020 9 excellent
9 excellent - Simple and brilliant
product-maker Base: 4 x 5.0 Ratings

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elguitar
Jul 16 2020
File (click to download) Version Description Downloads Date Filesize DL OCS-Install MD5SUM
*Needs pling-store or ocs-url to install things
product-maker
wsdfhjxc
Pling
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Virtual Desktops Only On Primary is part of KDE Themes and Content, which is supported by the following people:
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Details
license
GPLv3
version
0.1
updated Jun 27 2020
added Jun 27 2020
downloads 24h
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System Tags linux unix gplv3