Install Compiz Config Settings Manager Compiz desktop effects are available in your Ubuntu by default and if you have any kind of 3D acceleration available(graphics driver ie), you are good to go with Compiz. Now to tweak Compiz desktop effects in Ubuntu, you need to install "compizconfig-settings-manager" package. Simply copy paste the following command into Terminal to install "compizconfig-settings-manager". sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager Then change the size and transparency levels as per your wish