If you run Ubuntu with Compiz you have probably experienced those boot ups where the titlebars on your programs are missing. This can be rather frustrating, as there is no way to minimize those windows then. Fortunately there is a very simple method of getting them back.

First I will show you a GUI method of restoring your titlebars to your running programs in Ubuntu. You can do it from the command line if you know which window decorator you are running, but this method is a two click solution with your mouse, and does not require you to know which window decorator you are running.

First you will need to be running Compiz, and also install a package called "fusion-icon". You can use Synaptic Package Manager to install it. Once fusion-icon is installed, it will be on your menu under Applications, System Tools, Compiz Fusion Icon.

Now you will need the fusion icon to appear in you Notification Area (or System Tray as Windows users know it). To get it there just select the previously mentioned menu entry from your menu. To make it already be there on each subsequent boot up you will need to add it to System, Preferences, Sessions.

Open the Sessions dialog as shown below, and click the "Add" button.

Now you will have the dialog shown below. Type in "Compiz Fusion Icon" in the "Name" field, and "fusion-icon" in the "Command" field as shown below.

Now just click the "OK" button, then click the "Close" button on the Sessions dialog, and you're done!

The next time your titlebars are missing, all you will now need to do is mouse over to the Notification Area, right click the Compiz Fusion Icon, and select "Reload Window Manager", and your titlebars will reappear after a brief wait.

Command Line Method - If you insist on using the command line to do this, you can of course press ALT-F2, then type in "compiz --replace" and hit enter to accomplish the same thing. If you do not use Compiz then you will need to know the name of your Window Decorator or Window Manager to reload it.

For GTK use the command "gtk-window-decorator --replace". If you use Metacity, then use "metacity --replace". These commands can also be ran from a Terminal command line.