How can I remove window shadows in Unity?

Solution 1:

I think you have to choose a theme other than Ambiance or Radiance, because those override compiz's shadow settings.

If you really want to use the Ambiance borders without shadows:

1. Create a copy of Ambiance: cp -R /usr/share/themes/Ambiance ~/.themes
2. open ~/.themes/Ambiance/metacity-1/metacity-theme-1.xml and remove all of the <shadow> tags.
3. Open up appearance preferences and select your new, duplicate "Ambiance" theme.
4. Disable shadows in CCSM

Update 2015-01-21 In recent versions of Ubuntu you'll need to use Ubuntu Tweak Tool in step 3, since recent versions of the control center don't support custom themes.

Solution 2:

• Install CompizConfig Settings Manager

  sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager

• Launch it by searching from the dash in Unity, or Preferences > CompizConfig Settings Manager in Ubuntu Classic.

• Navigate to the Window Decoration tab.

• Slide the Shadow Opacity to 0.

Solution 3:

If you're using Ubuntu 15.04, do the following.

1. Install CCSM as in the previous answer above.

   sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager

2. Run ccsm and click on "Ubuntu Unity Plugin"

3. Click on "Decorations" tab and click on "Overrride Theme Settings".

4. The shadow should disappear since the default "Active window shadow color" is transparent.

Solution 4:

I got a better answer....

1. Download new version of CompizConfig Settings Manager
2. GOTO Ubuntu Unity Plugin Tab ( in Desktop Tab From Sidebar )
3. GOTO decoration tab from top
4. Reduce Everything to 0 or least possible value
5. Check Overide Theme Settings too...

You will see instant change right away in shadows of dialogue box... or anything... :)

Also, if you are doing it for tweaking Linux... then... ALSO DO :

1. Disable Animation
2. Disable Fading Window
3. Disable Window Decoration