diff --git a/os/layers/participant/includes.chroot/etc/dconf/db/local.d/00-window-buttons b/os/layers/participant/includes.chroot/etc/dconf/db/local.d/00-window-buttons
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7ed7b76
--- /dev/null
+++ b/os/layers/participant/includes.chroot/etc/dconf/db/local.d/00-window-buttons
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+# Enable minimize and maximize buttons, which should make gnome a bit easier to
+# use for people more familiar with Windows or macOS.
+[org/gnome/desktop/wm/preferences]
+button-layout = 'appmenu:minimize,maximize,close'