For some unknown reason the developers of Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx swapped the order of the minimize and maximize buttons. Here is how to change it back to normal order.
In Gnome hit Alt-F2 to open up the run box. Once opened type gconf-editor
Once gconf-editor is open navigate to the apps -> metacity -> general and change
button_layout to :minimize,maximize,close
That’s it.
Update: (2010-05-12)
Even easier way and cooler because its done on the command line is to open up a terminal and while logged in as your user account
Type this:
gconftool-2 --type string --set /apps/metacity/general/button_layout ":minimize,maximize,close"
Update: Thanks to the comment from LMB you can use this command to add the menu icon on the left side of the menu bar.
gconftool-2 --type string --set /apps/metacity/general/button_layout "menu:minimize,maximize,close"

by Steve Smith
08 Mar 2010 at 22:19
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
by GerGn
29 Apr 2010 at 08:29
Also my thanks! Only now I dare to upgrade my wife’s laptop from 9.10 to 10.04.
She did not notice it when I supergraded from Windows Vista Home Basic to Ubuntu 9.10, but she does closes an application like ThunderBird now and then …
by Terry Moore
29 Apr 2010 at 13:40
@GerGn If she didn’t notice the switch to 9.10 I doubt she will notice the switch to 10.04. So far it has been really stable for me.
by Uncle Spellbinder
29 Apr 2010 at 14:35
The easiest way is with Ubuntu Tweak:
http://content.imagesocket.com/images/ButtonsOnRight09dc8a.jpeg
by Terry Moore
29 Apr 2010 at 20:58
Uncle Spellbinder :
Never used Ubuntu Tweak before but I just downloaded it and it is pretty sweet. For those that have never used it before you can download it here: http://ubuntu-tweak.com/
by Kim
07 May 2010 at 00:29
Thank you kind sir.
by LMB
20 May 2010 at 08:55
this is the command:
gconftool-2 –type string –set /apps/metacity/general/button_layout “menu:minimize,maximize,close”
by Terry Moore
20 May 2010 at 20:25
Yes that will work also. I rarely use that menu therefore didn’t even
realize it was missing.
Thanks
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by Penguine
19 Jul 2010 at 18:33
Thank you, Terry. That’s much better!
by CNA Practice Test
20 Aug 2010 at 11:48
Great information! I’ve been looking for something like this for a while now. Thanks!
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by At a loss
12 Oct 2010 at 16:55
For whatever reason, even if I make the change, the location doesn’t want to ACTUALLY switch.
I’m stumped…
by Tomas Stolar
13 Oct 2010 at 11:47
Thanks a LOT!
by Bab
13 Jan 2011 at 12:48
thanks , but i have another problem
in key documentation part:
key name: /schemas/apps/metacity/general/disable_workarounds
———
and all of the values are …
and i can’t change them!!!
why??
can u help me to fix it!!
thanks!
by Jonas
16 Feb 2011 at 21:43
most convenient way:
Do the following to get the minimize, maximize, and close on the right side in the right order.
Hit ALT – F2
Type gconf-editor
Go to the following:
apps –> metacity –> general
Find the button_layout parameter, right mouse click, and select Edit Key
Change the value to the following:
:minimize,maximize,close
Don’t forget the colon on the left side of the text.
You will then have it the way you are used to it.
Source: http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?s=4c13465616ad8df1e2533732835ba67d&p=9244608&postcount=9
by Jonas
16 Feb 2011 at 21:44
add:
It changes as soon as zou select a different value.