5

I am using Ubuntu 25.04 and GNOME Files version 48. There is an empty star (☆) to the right of each file in the "List View" of files.

I know that this is used to make some files "favorites" by clicking on it (⭐). However, I do not use this feature and want to completely remove the column containing that star in order to conserve vertical and horizontal space. (Yes; the star icon makes the lines in the List View use more vertical space too.)

The Visible Columns... dialog box does not have an option to remove this column. How to remove this column on all directory listings in the File application?

Please, note that this column is not present in some directory listings like /tmp or removable drives. I want to get rid of it in all directories under my $HOME too.

FedKad
  • 13,900
  • 3
    Good point. I consider that a bug. Well, what do you know: someone already filed an issue for it. https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/nautilus/-/issues/3214 – Jos Sep 17 '25 at 10:37
  • 2
    @Jos, it is worthwhile turning your comment into an answer. Not all answers can be positive. – vanadium Sep 17 '25 at 10:41

1 Answers1

8

You are completely correct that the implementation of the "Starred" column is incomplete. As it is, the implementation is in fact even controversial. The reason that the column cannot be disabled through the "Visual columns" dialog is that the star doesn't occupy its own column; it's merely an icon tagged on to the line.

This has brought on some irritation to the power users over at discourse.gnome.org. An issue was posted in December 2023 but closed within hours as "Expected behavior". Since then, a handful of folks have called for reopening of this issue. A moderator then argued that reopening the same issue would be too confusing, and that a new issue was needed. Apparently it was left at that.

This is, to put it positively, open source at work. If you want, and you have the skills, go on and improve the software. In fact though, this doesn't help you and for now there is nothing we can do about it.

muru
  • 207,970
Jos
  • 30,707
  • 3
    Thanks for the info. I created a new "issue" ( https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/nautilus/-/issues/3973 ), since the link you provided is already for a closed issue. – FedKad Sep 17 '25 at 11:29
  • 1
    Perhaps the most pragmatic way around this issue is to use another application - I personally use dolphin (from KDE) and quite like it. – j4nd3r53n Sep 18 '25 at 11:08