Enabling Desktop Effects

Xubuntu does not ship a full fledged 3D desktop like Ubuntu. However, hardware supported desktop rendering and some effects like translucent windows and shadows are also available on Xubuntu.

Desktop effects are optional, and it is not necessary to have them turned on. In addition, users of computers with certain graphics cards may find that desktop effects do not work well on their computer, or they cause the computer to operate more slowly than it would with effects turned off.

If 3D drivers for your graphics card are properly installed and running, then Xfce's window manager will let you turn on these effects. To enable these effects, click ApplicationsSettingsXfce 4 Settings ManagerWindow Manager TweaksCompositor.

Inside the Compositor tab, you will find the Enable display compositing option, and many other options to customize window behaviour and effects. Click on the Enable display compositing option and your screen may flicker briefly while the effects are being enabled.