Mint Cinnamon Desktop Window List Applet Preferences

In this example, user has two monitors and using "Windows List Applet" on both monitors at the bottom of the screen to show open software applications for each monitor workspace. User wishes to have customization such as the window list aligned to the far left on the left monitor and far right on the right monitor. Furthermore, user wishes to disable the annoying thumbnail preview of applications in the window list.

Written and verified using Cinnamon 5.6.8 on Linux Mint 21.1 Vera

To Add the Window List Applet

After installation of Mint Linux with Cinnamon there is typically one instance of the "Windows List" applet active. On a dual monitor setup the default tends to be one applet on the primary monitor with the secondary monitor having no "Window List" at all. You can add the applet by:

1. right click the panel (usually on the bottom of the screen) in a blank space and select "Applets"
2. use the option to add the applet or make it active

To Edit the Window List Applet

1. right click the panel (usually on the bottom of the screen) in a blank space and select "Applets"
2. in the "Manage" tab of the applets dialog scroll down and locate "Window List"
3. click the "Configure" icon next to "Window List" label, it is an icon that appears as two gears
4. disable "Show window thumbnails on hover" which has got to be the most annoying feature devs added recently.

To Add a 2nd Window List Applet

Ensure you have focus on the monitor where you wish to place the applet.

1. right click the panel (usually on the bottom of the screen) in a blank space and select "Applets"
2. in the "Manage" tab of the applets dialog scroll down and locate "Window List"
3. click on the "+" symbol to add an additional "Window List" applet.

To Edit the 2nd Window List Applet

1. right click the panel (usually on the bottom of the screen) in a blank space and select "Applets"
2. in the "Manage" tab of the applets dialog scroll down and locate "Window List"
3. click the "Configure" icon next to "Window List" label, it is an icon that appears as two gears
4. now in the Window List dialog locate and click one of the arrows on the upper left corner of the dialog! Critical! If you skip this step you will be editing the primary window list applet, not the 2nd one. The arrows allow you to cycle between the 1st and 2nd Window List applets. You can have additional. Stupidly, the devs didn't place any indication of which Window List applet you are editing. You will have to make changes and observe the effect.

To Change Window List Applet alignment

This is a little dance you have to do to make it work, as it is a bit tricky sometimes.

1. right click the panel (usually on the bottom of the screen) in a blank space and toggle "Panel edit mode" to active.
2. move the applet using skill and trickery: The default on our test system had the window list applet align to the right. We prefer it aligned to the left next to the mint menu with the mint menu the furthest left. Attempting to drag the window list applet to the left next to the mint menu fails. However, dragging the window list panel and dropping it on the left side of the mint menu as a first step, then dragging the mint menu over to the left side of the window list seems to get the job done. Now from left to right, we have our mint menu, then the window list which is aligned left and new applications appear on the right but still left aligned.