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Asked: 2024-09-26T01:02:47+05:30 In:

How can I modify the Steam icon that appears in the system tray on Ubuntu?

I’ve been trying to customize my Ubuntu setup a bit, and one of the things that’s been bugging me is the Steam icon in the system tray. I mean, it’s not that I dislike it, but the default icon just doesn’t blend well with my theme. I’d love to give it a fresh look, maybe something more in line with my minimalist aesthetic or even my favorite game themes.

Now, I know there are a ton of customization options available on Linux, which is one of the reasons I love using it. But I’m a bit stumped on this particular one. I’ve done some digging online and found out that you can replace icons by swapping files in the filesystem, but I’m not super confident about it. It feels like I could easily mess something up or lose my changes with any updates.

I’ve also read about GTK themes and how they might play a role in icon design, but honestly, I’m still just a little confused about how to apply that knowledge specifically to the Steam icon. Like, do I need to find an icon pack that includes a Steam icon, or is there a way to customize the existing one? Also, what’s the best format for the new icon? I’ve seen .png and .svg mentioned, but I don’t really know which one I should go for.

If anyone out there has gone through this process and can share their experience or provide some step-by-step guidance, that would be amazing. Are there any tools out there that can help make this easier, or do I just need to dive into the terminal and start messing around with files? I’m open to any tips or tricks you might have. I would love to see how you’ve customized your Steam icon, too! Screenshots would be a bonus! Thanks in advance for your help!

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    2 Answers



    1. Customizing Steam Icon on Ubuntu


      Customizing Your Steam Icon

      Changing the Steam icon on Ubuntu to match your minimalist vibe sounds like a fun project! Here’s a simple guide that might help you out:

      1. Find a New Icon

      You can either look for an icon pack that includes a Steam icon or create your own if you’re feeling creative! Websites like Freepik or Iconfinder are great places to search.

      2. Format and Size

      For icons, both .png and .svg work, but .png is generally more common, especially for desktop icons. Aim for a size around 24×24 or 48×48 pixels as that’s pretty standard for system tray icons.

      3. Replace the Icon

      Here’s where it gets a bit more hands-on. You’ll want to navigate to the Steam icon’s current location. Usually, it’s at:

      /usr/share/icons/hicolor/24x24/apps/steam.png

      To replace it, you can do this in the terminal:

      sudo cp /path/to/new/icon.png /usr/share/icons/hicolor/24x24/apps/steam.png

      Make sure to back up the original icon first, just in case!

      4. Refresh the Icons

      After you replace the icon, you may need to refresh your icon cache:

      sudo gtk-update-icon-cache /usr/share/icons/hicolor

      5. Restart Steam

      Finally, quit and relaunch Steam to see the new icon in action!

      6. Bonus: Use a Custom Theme

      If you’re into GTK themes, you can also look for a theme that has a matching Steam icon or create your own theme. Check out tools like Gnome-look.org.

      It can be a little daunting, but once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty gratifying! If you mess anything up, don’t stress; you can always revert back to the original icon by using the backup you made.

      Good luck, and I can’t wait to see how it turns out! Screenshots of your new setup would be awesome!



    2. To customize your Steam icon in the system tray on Ubuntu, you can follow a few simple steps to replace the icon with one that better fits your aesthetic. First, you need to find a suitable icon. You can either look for an icon pack that includes a Steam icon or create your own. The most common formats for icons are PNG and SVG. PNG is widely used and universally supported, while SVG is vector-based and can scale without losing quality, making it a great option if you want an icon that looks sharp at any size. Once you’ve selected your desired icon, you typically place it in the ~/.icons directory (create this directory if it doesn’t exist) or in a specific theme directory under /usr/share/icons/. Remember to name your new icon file `steam.svg` or `steam.png` to replace the default icon.

      If you’re concerned about updates overwriting your changes, using the ~/.icons directory is generally safer, as it is user-specific and won’t be affected by system updates. For a more streamlined method, you can create a custom GTK theme that includes your newly designed icon. You can use tools such as GIMP to edit or design your icon. Once you’ve done that, you may need to refresh the icon cache or restart your desktop environment for the changes to take effect. For further assistance, consider using community forums or guides that provide visual step-by-step instructions and screenshots, which can make the process easier to follow.


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