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After running unity --reset to fix a Compiz plug-ins problem, the dropdown menus (file, edit, help, etc...) that normally appear on the left end of the menu bar when the desktop is in focus are missing.

Any suggestions as to how I can correct this? I am running version 12.04.

karel
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CLynnRose
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  • You have 2 questions here. As this is a Q & A site it would be preferable to address them separately as others that are experiencing one of these issues are unlikely to be experiencing the other. Please [edit] this question to address the one and open a new question for the other. This helps us to be more efficient and allows us to help as many people as possible. Thank you for your understanding! – Elder Geek Nov 23 '16 at 17:58
  • Your first question already has a good answer [here](http://askubuntu.com/questions/142772/ubuntu-12-04-upgrade-top-side-bar-missing/142813#142813) – Elder Geek Nov 23 '16 at 18:05
  • I removed the desktop background question, though it also occurred at the same time as my other problem, so I thought they may be related and mentioning both of them might help in finding in answer. But the post you mention does not answer my first question. That was an issue I had in the past (panel and launcher missing). After running unity --reset as the answer suggests, the launcher and panel returned but the Ubuntu Desktop menu is missing from the panel. I still want to fix this and that's what this question is about. I have not found an existing answer on the site which helps. – CLynnRose Nov 23 '16 at 18:15
  • "Desktop menu"? Are you talkin about the menu that appears when you have the Desktop folder open in the File manager? – Elder Geek Nov 23 '16 at 18:20
  • No, it is a menu that appeared when all windows were closed and I clicked somewhere on the desktop. It still appears in the other account on my computer. I'll get a screen shot and post it to show what I mean. – CLynnRose Nov 23 '16 at 18:24
  • Oh, The right-click menu perhaps? The one with New Folder, New Document, Change Background and etc.? – Elder Geek Nov 23 '16 at 19:24
  • If everything works as advertised on the other account you likely have a corrupt profile. – Elder Geek Nov 23 '16 at 19:36
  • Yes, I thought maybe it was a profile problem, but wasn't sure and I still don't know how to fix it. I don't mean the right click menu at all. I tried to upload a screenshot but found I don't have the reputation required. Can you look at the image here? http://imgur.com/Yg0uhtm – CLynnRose Nov 23 '16 at 19:38
  • That menu doesn't appear without an application running. To determine which one, click Help and then About. – Elder Geek Nov 23 '16 at 20:28
  • No, it does. It was. The image shows that it does. When all windows are minimized or closed and the desktop is in focus, a menu should appear as shown in the image. How do I get this Ubuntu Desktop menu back? – CLynnRose Nov 23 '16 at 20:48
  • I'll go back into the other account again and look at Help and About to see if it says what application this is. – CLynnRose Nov 23 '16 at 20:49
  • A minimized window is still running. I'm sorry for any confusion you may be experiencing. – Elder Geek Nov 23 '16 at 20:49
  • I checked the Help dropdown menu in the other account, and there was no About item, just Ubuntu Help. I might have to give up. I can't find out anywhere what application Ubuntu Desktop might be or how to start it again. – CLynnRose Nov 23 '16 at 21:10
  • Don't give up. There are alternatives. You could create a new user profile and copy your data over to it for instance. Since you have an account that's working properly it would seem the issue is related to your profile on this one account. – Elder Geek Nov 23 '16 at 21:22
  • Thanks, I was considering creating a new account if I could find no other solutions. I'll try what you suggest below and see if that helps! – CLynnRose Nov 23 '16 at 23:24

2 Answers2

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Here are some options:

sudo apt-get install --reinstall appmenu-gtk appmenu-gtk3 appmenu-qt

Reboot

If that doesn't work try

sudo apt-get autoremove appmenu-gtk appmenu-gtk3 appmenu-qt

reboot

sudo apt-get install appmenu-gtk appmenu-gtk3 appmenu-qt

reboot

Sources:

https://www.liberiangeek.net/2012/04/disable-the-global-menu-in-ubuntu-12-04-precise-pangolin/

Testing

Elder Geek
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  • No, I'm sorry. This solution had no effect. Could it be there is some setting somewhere that will enable the menu I'm missing rather than installing or reinstalling software? – CLynnRose Nov 24 '16 at 00:10
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I solved this problem! After you mentioned the right click menu I found that that was missing as well so I did a search and found this solution:

Why doesn't right-click work on my desktop?

I toggled "Have file manager handle the desktop" as the post describes and the Ubuntu Desktop menu is back. Thanks for your help!

Community
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CLynnRose
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