GlaciaOS: Ubuntu Remix Reviving Unity Desktop

Flavors & Remixes Remixes
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Hi all!

I’m working with a side project: GlaciaOS, basically an Ubuntu remix that’s all about bringing back the best bits of the old Unity desktop and making them feel fresh and actually usable today.

Quick rundown of the cool stuff:

  • New control settings application (merge of tweak tools with the old settings application);

  • Removed the scopes and respective RPC’s from the dash. Now only shows the installed applications and the search is local, for reducing search lag;

  • Added two new file explorer features (nemo). 1) “Open in editor“, where you can open the current folder on your favorite code editor or IDE; 2) sending&receiving files via ssh.

  • Reviewed several indicators (Bluetooth, datetime, session)

The whole point? Make the desktop feel like yours again – fast, elegant, no BS, respects your privacy and doesn’t waste your time.

It’s still early days (alpha-ish builds), but I’m sharing because I’d love feedback from anyone who misses Unity.

Website/docs: https://glaciaos.com/

Thanks for checking it out – excited to hear what y’all think! :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

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Welcome to Ubuntu Discourse :slight_smile:

Thanks for sharing this with the community and good luck with the project.

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Thank you for this. Good luck with GlaciaOS will be watching to see the progress :slight_smile:

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Hi and welcome

It’s nice to see a new remix featuring the Unity desktop. But…. wouldn’t it have been better to join forces with the Ubuntu Unity team and help them out to fix the official flavor? They need all the help they can get.

A topic was opened in October for a call for help because the distro is broken: Regarding Ubuntu Unity and a call for help

Maybe you could get in touch with them?

I myself had to step back because of other more important things in my life.

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I had a look at GlaciaOS but the 2026-02-06 ISO is based on the now EOL 25.04 Ubuntu release which to me is a kind of a weird choice.

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