The latest update to Raspberry Pi OS introduces a new dock to its desktop interface, which has been in use for more than ten years. Originally based on the LXDE desktop, the Raspberry Pi Desktop has evolved over time, now offering more customization options. This new dock can replace or be used alongside the existing taskbar and includes two new widgets: an application launcher and a task manager that combines quick launch and task list features. The application launcher, which appears as a raspberry-shaped icon, opens in full screen and allows users to manually rearrange applications, search by text, or use the keyboard for navigation. The task manager displays currently open applications, includes a window counter, and allows users to manage windows via a right-click context menu—offering options like maximizing, hiding, or adjusting window display.
Display settings for the dock are similar to those of the taskbar and are now accessible through a new page in the control center. Users can customize the dock's color, position, icon size, and enable automatic hiding. There’s also an option to prevent maximized windows from covering the dock. The right side of the dock is reserved for status icons, which are spread across two lines to improve visibility. Three default desktop styles are available: a classic layout with the taskbar, a mixed configuration, and one that uses only the new dock. Additionally, the system clock now includes a customizable analog display mode.
A technical improvement involves the management of the desktop background. Previously handled by the file manager pcmanfm, this function is now managed by the lightweight program swaybg, which uses less RAM. This change is especially beneficial for devices with less than 2 GB of RAM, as recommended by developers. The automatic mounting of USB drives and other removable disks, once managed by the background file manager, is now handled by the ejection module in the taskbar, which also displays notifications when drives are connected or removed.
The overall user experience has been enhanced with the addition of a dedicated keyboard shortcuts page in the control center, allowing users to view and define new system commands. The screenshot tool has also been redesigned: pressing the print screen key now opens a dialog box with options to copy the image to the clipboard or open it in an editor, with the ability to remember this preference. Pressing the Alt key allows users to capture a specific area of the screen by drawing it with the mouse.
These updates are included in the new operating system image, which retains its classic taskbar-based appearance by default. Existing users can apply these changes through standard terminal commands like
sudo apt update or sudo apt full-upgrade. They can also choose to enable the new dock styles from the control center if they prefer a different interface.
