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xfce:getting-started [2024/10/15 03:53] – Remove dl plugin format syntax kevinbowenxfce:getting-started [2026/10/25 07:39] (current) – [Installation] kevinbowen
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 Xfce is a lightweight desktop environment for Unix-like operating systems. It aims to be fast and light on system resources, while still being visually appealing and easy to use. Xfce is a lightweight desktop environment for Unix-like operating systems. It aims to be fast and light on system resources, while still being visually appealing and easy to use.
  
-Xfce embodies the traditional UNIX philosophy of modularity and re-usability. It consists of a number of components that provide the full functionality one can expect of a modern desktop environment. They are packaged separately and you can pick among the available packages to create the optimal personal working environment.+Xfce embodies the traditional UNIX philosophy of modularity and re-usability. It consists of a number of components that provide the full functionality one can expect of a modern desktop environment. These components are packaged separately and users can choose among the available packages to customize an optimal, personal working desktop environment.
  
 Another priority of Xfce is an adherence to standards, specifically those defined at [[https://freedesktop.org|freedesktop.org]]. Another priority of Xfce is an adherence to standards, specifically those defined at [[https://freedesktop.org|freedesktop.org]].
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 ===== System Requirements ===== ===== System Requirements =====
  
-Even though Xfce is very light-weight, there are some [[xfce:system-requirements|distribution specific minimum requirements]].+While Xfce strives to be very light-weight Desktop Environment, here are some [[xfce:system-requirements|distribution specific minimum requirements]].
  
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     * [[http://www.freebsd.org/handbook/x11-wm.html#X11-WM-XFCE|FreeBSD]]     * [[http://www.freebsd.org/handbook/x11-wm.html#X11-WM-XFCE|FreeBSD]]
     * [[http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/xfce-config.xml|Gentoo]]     * [[http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/xfce-config.xml|Gentoo]]
-    * [[https://wiki.mageia.org/en/XFCE_desktop|Mageia]] 
-    * [[https://www.midnightbsd.org/documentation/desktop.html|MidnightBSD]] ( or possibly 'pkg_add -r xfce4' ? ) 
-    * Mythbuntu: sudo apt-get install mythbuntu-desktop 
     * [[http://www.netbsd.org/docs/guide/en/chap-x.html#chap-x-other-window-managers|NetBSD]] (pkg_add xfce4)     * [[http://www.netbsd.org/docs/guide/en/chap-x.html#chap-x-other-window-managers|NetBSD]] (pkg_add xfce4)
-    * Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop ([[http://packages.ubuntu.com/search?keywords=xubuntu-desktop|package description]]; [[apt://xubuntu-desktop|direct install]])+    * [[https://xubuntu.org/|Xubuntu: An Ubuntu distribution based on the Xfce Desktop Environment]]
  
-Detailed instructions on compiling Xfce yourself can be found [[.:building|here]].+There are many distributions that now provide Xfce as a primary Desktop Environment. See [[https://distro.watch/distros/desktop/xfce|this list]] for a list of the distributions using Xfce as their featured desktop experience. 
 + 
 +If you would like to build Xfce from scratch, refer to the detailed instructions on compiling Xfce [[.:building|here]].
  
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 ===  Display Managers === ===  Display Managers ===
  
-Xfce4-session installs a file that should add an option for display managers to run an Xfce session. The Xfce Desktop Environment does not have its own DM, but various options are available like ''gdm'', ''slim'', ''lxdm'' and ''lightdm''. Check [[xfce:display_managers|this link]] for details.+> Xfce4-session installs a file that should add an option for display managers to run an Xfce session. The Xfce Desktop Environment does not have its own DM, but various options are available like ''gdm'', ''slim'', ''lxdm'' and ''lightdm''. Check [[xfce:display_managers|this link]] for details.
  
 === Command line === === Command line ===
  
-Use ''startxfce4'' to start an Xfce session or choose //Xfce Session// from the login manager, which includes the [[:xfce:xfce4-session:start|session manager]], the [[:xfce:xfce4-panel:start|panel]], the [[:xfce:xfwm4:start|window manager]] and the [[:xfce:xfdesktop:start|desktop manager]]. See [[.:xfce4-session:advanced|auto login from console]] for more information.+> Use ''startxfce4'' to start an Xfce session or choose //Xfce Session// from the login manager, which includes the [[:xfce:xfce4-session:start|session manager]], the [[:xfce:xfce4-panel:start|panel]], the [[:xfce:xfwm4:start|window manager]] and the [[:xfce:xfdesktop:start|desktop manager]]. See [[.:xfce4-session:advanced|auto login from console]] for more information.
  
-By default, the //Xfce session manager// manages the startup of applications. It allows you to save your session when you quit Xfce, so that the next time you log in, the same applications will be started for you automatically.+> By default, the //Xfce session manager// manages the startup of applications. It allows you to save your session when you quit Xfce, so that the next time you log in, the same applications will be started for you automatically.
  
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 ===== The Desktop Environment ===== ===== The Desktop Environment =====
  
-The Xfce Desktop Environment is not a single entity that provides all functionality, but rather it tries to adhere to the old UNIX tradition of small tools that do one job and do it well.+The Xfce Desktop Environment and its components are not a monolithic entity that provides all desktop functionality; but, rather it is a collection of components that adheres to the UNIX tradition of small tools and applications that do one job and do it well.
  
-<figure "Default Xfce session, with desktop manager and panel"> +{{:xfce:slider-desktop.jpg?600nolink|Default Xfce session, with desktop manager and panel}}
-{{:xfce:slider-desktop.jpg?600nolink|}} +
-</figure>+
  
-When you start the Xfce session for the first time, several applications are started by the Xfce session manager:+When starting an Xfce session for the first time, several applications are started by the Xfce session manager:
  
  
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 > In a default session there is a full width panel at the top of the screen and a smaller one at the bottom. The [[.:xfce4-panel:|Panel]] application manages all panels on the screen. > In a default session there is a full width panel at the top of the screen and a smaller one at the bottom. The [[.:xfce4-panel:|Panel]] application manages all panels on the screen.
  
-> The top panel shows a graphical pager with a miniature view of all workspaces, a task list showing all applications running on the current workspace and a system tray to show status icons that are used for example by some media players or instant messaging applications.+> The top panel shows a graphical pager with a miniature view of all workspaces, a task list showing all applications running on the current workspace, and a system tray to show status icons for currently active applications.
  
 > The bottom panel contains several application launchers and a clock. You can right-click on any panel item to get a menu that allows you to change its properties, add or remove new items or to change the properties of the panel itself. > The bottom panel contains several application launchers and a clock. You can right-click on any panel item to get a menu that allows you to change its properties, add or remove new items or to change the properties of the panel itself.
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 > The right mouse button opens a menu that allows you to start applications. Look at the [[.:xfdesktop:|manual]] to find out how to change the menu contents. > The right mouse button opens a menu that allows you to start applications. Look at the [[.:xfdesktop:|manual]] to find out how to change the menu contents.
  
-> The middle mouse button (or Shift + left click) opens a list of all applications that are currently running. You can activate an application by clicking on its menu entry.+> The middle mouse button (or {key>Shift + left mouse click} opens a list of all applications that are currently running. You can activate an application by clicking on its menu entry.
  
 === Window Manager === === Window Manager ===
  
-> The Window Manager is responsible for placing the windows on the screen and provides the window borders and decorations. It allows you to move windows around by dragging the title bar, and provides title bar buttons: for example to close, minimize or maximize a window. Look at the [[.:xfwm4:|manual]] for a detailed explanation of the window manager settings.+> The Window Manager is responsible for placing windows on the screen and provides the window borders and decorations. It allows you to move windows around by dragging the title bar, and provides title bar buttons: for example to close, minimize or maximize a window. Look at the [[.:xfwm4:|manual]] for a detailed explanation of the window manager settings.
  
 === Settings Manager === === Settings Manager ===
  
-> The settings manager runs in the background and ensures that all Xfce applications update their settings when the user changes something within the application. It is also responsible for reading the configuration files on disk at startup. Look at the [[.:xfce4-settings:|manual]] for a detailed explanation of the settings manager.+> The Settings Manager runs in the background and ensures that all Xfce applications update their settings when the user changes settings within the application. It is also responsible for reading the configuration files on disk at startup. Look at the [[.:xfce4-settings:|manual]] for a detailed explanation of the Settings Manager.
  
 [[|Back To Top]] [[|Back To Top]]
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 === Desktop Menu === === Desktop Menu ===
 +
 > Another method for starting applications is from the desktop right-click menu. Read the [[.:xfdesktop:|Desktop Manager manual]] for more information on how to change the menu contents. > Another method for starting applications is from the desktop right-click menu. Read the [[.:xfdesktop:|Desktop Manager manual]] for more information on how to change the menu contents.
  
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 [[|Back To Top]] [[|Back To Top]]
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-[[:start|Back to main Xfce documentation page]]+[[:start|Back to Xfce Main Documentation Page]]