I finally was able to reproduce it. Turns out it happens only once after system startup, if I log out of the session and log in again, the bug is gone.
Steps to reproduce: -Make sure no desktop file manager runs in the session (eg. remove it from the session / xdg autostart locations) -Start a gnome-flashback no effects session (Metacity) -Wait for the desktop (appears empty due to no file manager) -Run the 'nemo' file manager, set to overtake the desktop too -The file window appears, the desktop icons too, but the are in front of the window. -Close the window, the desktop appears to be normal -Open any other application, it appears behind the icons again. -Log out from the session -Start a gnome-flashback no effects session again -all is fine now. -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Desktop Bugs, which is subscribed to metacity in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1614050 Title: Window depth order messed up To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/metacity/+bug/1614050/+subscriptions -- desktop-bugs mailing list desktop-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/desktop-bugs