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~-[[DebianWiki/EditorGuide#translation|Translation(s)]]: English - [[pt_BR/Xfce|Brasileiro]] - [[fr/Xfce|Français]] - [[it/Xfce|Italiano]] - [[ko/Xfce|한국어]] - [[ru/Xfce|Русский]] - [[sv/Xfce|Svenska]] - [[es/Xfce|Español]] - [[zh_CN/Xfce|简体中文]]-~ ~-[[DebianWiki/EditorGuide#translation|Translation(s)]]:
English - [[es/Xfce|Español]] - [[fr/Xfce|Français]] - [[he/Xfce|עברית]] - [[it/Xfce|Italiano]] - [[ko/Xfce|한국어]] - [[pt_BR/Xfce|Português (Brasil)]] - [[ru/Xfce|Русский]] - [[sv/Xfce|Svenska]] - [[uk/Xfce|Українська]] - [[zh_CN/Xfce|简体中文]]-~
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<<TableOfContents(3)>>
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--------------  . '''[[WikiPedia:Xfce|Xfce]]''' is a lightweight [[DesktopEnvironment|desktop environment]] for Unix-like operating systems. It aims to be fast and lightweight, while still being visually appealing and easy to use.
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== Introduction ==

'''Xfce''' is a lightweight desktop environment for Unix-like operating systems. It aims to be fast and lightweight, while still being visually appealing and easy to use.

Xfce is based on [[GTK|GTK+]] version 2 (like [[Gnome|Gnome 2]]). One of Xfce's priorities is adherence to standards, specifically those defined at freedesktop.org. This allows Xfce to seamlessly interoperate with programs written for other desktop environments, if those programs follow the specified standards.
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One of Xfce's priorities is adherence to standards, specifically those defined at freedesktop.org. This allows Xfce to seamlessly interoperate with programs written for other desktop environments, if those programs follow the specified standards.
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== Xfce in Debian ==

Xfce is one of the DesktopEnvironment options in the DebianDesktopHowTo.
Xfce is based on [[GTK]] 3 in 4.14 and newer. Xfce 4.12 and earlier (as found in [[DebianBuster|Debian 10]] and earlier) are based on GTK 2.
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=== Versions === <<TableOfContents(3)>>
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 * [[DebianUnstable|Debian Unstable]] contains Xfce 4.14.0
 * [[DebianTesting|Debian Testing]] contains Xfce 4.12.5
 * [[DebianBuster|Debian Buster]] contains Xfce 4.12.5
 * [[DebianStretch|Debian Stretch]] contains Xfce 4.12.3
 * [[DebianJessie|Debian Jessie]] contains Xfce 4.10.1
 * [[DebianWheezy|Debian Wheezy]] contains Xfce 4.8.0.3
----
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== How to install Xfce == == Installation ==
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=== Install a fresh system with Xfce === === Install a new Debian system with Xfce ===
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If you install a new system, the [[https://www.debian.org/releases/stable/i386/ch06s03#pkgsel|installation guide]] explains a way to install Xfce directly: During [[DebianInstaller|Debian installation]], select `Xfce desktop environment` at the [[https://www.debian.org/releases/stable/i386/ch06s03#pkgsel|Selecting and Installing Software]] installation step.
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 1. At the [[DebianInstaller|Debian Installer]] boot prompt, press the {{{tab}}} key to edit the command line, then add
  * {{{
desktop=xfce}}}
    Alternatively, go to "Advanced options" then "Alternate desktop environments", and choose Xfce there
.
 1. When prompted to select the task to install, make sure you click "Desktop Environment"

Alternatively,
at the [[DebianInstaller|Debian Installer]] boot prompt, press the `Tab` key to edit the command line, then add `desktop=xfce`.
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''Please note that selecting a desktop environment is not supported on the debian installer on debian live images (at least not debian 9).''
=== Run Debian Live with Xfce ===

A [[DebianLive|Debian live system]] with Xfce is available at https://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current-live/amd64/iso-hybrid/
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You can install/uninstall Xfce and other desktop options via [[tasksel|tasksel]] (you may need to install tasksel first). The following describes step by step intallation via the CLI. You can install Xfce as the only desktop environment on your computer, or alongside another desktop environment. Your [[DisplayManager|display manager]] should allow you to select the appropriate desktop before logging in.
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Note that you do not need to uninstall other desktop options for using Xfce4. You can always pick the desktop session you want from the "wrench" icon the login screen before logging in. See [[http://www.parrotsandopenbsd.org/images/a-selectWm-debian.png|here]] for an example screenshot. Or use one of the other mechanisms described below in running Xfce, if this does not work. To install the full Xfce desktop environment and utilities, [[PackageManagement#Installing.2C_removing.2C_upgrading_software|install]] the [[DebianPkg:xfce4]] package.
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Optional: If you want to uninstall GNOME and its dependencies first, do:
{{{
aptitude purge `dpkg --get-selections | grep gnome | cut -f 1`
aptitude -f install
aptitude purge `dpkg --get-selections | grep deinstall | cut -f 1`
aptitude -f install
}}}
DebianPkg:xfce4-goodies is a metapackage that will install many useful plugins and applications related to Xfce. It's a suggested package for standard users that want a complete Xfce desktop experience, however you may have a more "minimal" installation by only installing the specific packages that you want from the list below.
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Be aware that this can leave you with a broken system. Use caution. You can [[Software#Finding_Software|search]] for packages using the `xfce4` search term. The "main" Xfce packages are:
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To install Xfce, do the following: {{{
apt-get install xfce4
}}}

This will install a metapackage, which will install the core Xfce modules and scripts to get it to work.

There are many useful utilities that come with Xfce, to install these: {{{
apt-get install xfce4-goodies
}}}

In some Debian 8 minimal version installations (for example Google Compute Engine VMs), the following issue may occur after installing Xfce:

 * The icons for applications and files in file browser do not appear.

The above issue could indicate some Xfce dependencies are missing. One solution to this is to install "task-xfce-desktop" (DebianPkg:task-xfce-desktop): {{{
sudo apt-get install task-xfce-desktop
}}}

The above installs the needed dependencies and resolves the issue. Please note: task-xfce-desktop will also install the desktop environment, display manager and other programs (such as LibreOffice) if not yet present on the system.
 * [[DebianPkg:thunar]] - File Manager for Xfce
 * [[DebianPkg:xfdesktop4]] - xfce desktop background, icons and root menu manager
 * [[DebianPkg:xfwm4]] - window manager of the Xfce project
 * [[DebianPkg:xfce4-panel]] - panel for Xfce4 desktop environment
 * [[DebianPkg:xfce4-settings]] - graphical application for managing Xfce settings
 * [[DebianPkg:xfce4-power-manager]] - power manager for Xfce desktop
 * [[DebianPkg:xfce4-session]] - Xfce4 Session Manager
 * [[DebianPkg:xfconf]] - utilities for managing settings in Xfce
 * [[DebianPkg:xfce4-notifyd]] - simple, visually-appealing notification daemon for Xfce
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Xfce also provides utilities that are frequently used on a personal computer:

 * [[DebianPkg:mousepad]] - simple Xfce oriented text editor
 * [[DebianPkg:ristretto]] - lightweight picture-viewer for the Xfce desktop environment
 * [[DebianPkg:xfce4-taskmanager]] - process manager for the Xfce4 Desktop Environment
 * [[DebianPkg:xfce4-screenshooter]] - screenshots utility for Xfce
 * [[DebianPkg:xfce4-terminal]] - Xfce terminal emulator
 * [[DebianPkg:xfce4-notes]] - Notes application for the Xfce4 desktop
 * [[DebianPkg:xfce4-appfinder]] - Application finder for the Xfce4 Desktop Environment
 * [[DebianPkg:xfce4-clipman]] - clipboard history utility
 * [[DebianPkg:xfwm4-themes]] - Theme files for xfwm4
 * [[DebianPkg:xfburn]] - CD-burner application for Xfce Desktop Environment
 * [[DebianPkg:orage]] - Calendar for Xfce Desktop Environment

The Xfce panel provides a window list, application launchers/menus, a clock, and can be extended using many plugins/applets:

 * [[DebianPkg:xfce4-whiskermenu-plugin]] - Alternate menu plugin for the Xfce desktop environment
 * [[DebianPkg:xfce4-indicator-plugin]] - plugin to display information from applications in the Xfce4 panel
 * [[DebianPkg:xfce4-pulseaudio-plugin]] - Xfce4 panel plugin to control pulseaudio
 * [[DebianPkg:xfce4-battery-plugin]] - battery monitor plugin for the Xfce4 panel
 * [[DebianPkg:xfce4-power-manager-plugins]] - power manager plugins for Xfce panel
 * [[DebianPkg:xfce4-clipman-plugin]] - clipboard history plugin for Xfce panel
 * [[DebianPkg:xfce4-datetime-plugin]] - date and time plugin for the Xfce4 panel
 * And many more:
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-genmon-plugin]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-linelight-plugin]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-mailwatch-plugin]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-messenger-plugin]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-mount-plugin]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-mpc-plugin]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-netload-plugin]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-notes-plugin]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-places-plugin]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-quicklauncher-plugin]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-radio-plugin]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-screenshooter-plugin]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-sensors-plugin]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-smartbookmark-plugin]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-systemload-plugin]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-timer-plugin]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-verve-plugin]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-wavelan-plugin]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-weather-plugin]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-wmdock-plugin]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-xkb-plugin]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-cpufreq-plugin]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-cpugraph-plugin]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-dict]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-diskperf-plugin]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-equake-plugin]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-fsguard-plugin]],
[[DebianPkg:xfce4-hdaps]]
----
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=== With a display manager === === From a display manager ===
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For '''GDM, KDM and LightDM''' choose xfce4-session. Select Xfce from your [[DisplayManager|display manager]] (desktop login screen).
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For '''slim''' boot session in /etc/slim.conf:
{{{
login_cmd exec ck-launch-session /bin/bash -login /etc/X11/Xsession %session
}}}
Most display managers will detect Xfce automatically.
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You also can install DebianPkg:xdm to login in start Xfce.
For the [[DebianPkg:slim]] display manager, edit `/etc/slim.conf` and set `login_cmd exec ck-launch-session /bin/bash -login /etc/X11/Xsession %session`
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If you don't use a login manager but start Xfce from console, you need to take
care of few stuff in order to get a complete Xfce session with full permission
(mount, suspend/shutdown/hibernate etc.) This is because Debian now uses PolicyKit/ConsoleKit to manage policies for things like device and power management.
 * only use startx, without any argument
 * don't use a .xinitrc, add in file ~/.xsession:
Xfce can be started from the console simply by running the {{{startxfce4}}} command. {{{startxfce4}}} is a script that sets the required environment variables and calls Xinit to start the X server with the Xfce session.
----
== Troubleshooting ==

=== Preventing screen-tearing ===

In the ''Window Manager Tweaks'' section of your settings application, under the ''Compositor'' tab, uncheck the ''Enable display compositing'' box. This will disable some graphical effects but also can help reduce screen-tearing.

Since Xfce 4.14, V-Sync can also be enabled through the use of commands. You might try running:
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exec ck-launch-session startxfce4 xfconf-query -c xfwm4 -p /general/vblank_mode -s MODE
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This is because ConsoleKit ships an init script (/etc/X11/Xsession.d/90consolekit), but the /etc/X11/Xsession.d/ scripts are only executed if you don't use any .xinitrc. See startx (1) for more information. where {{{MODE}}} can be either {{{vblank}}}, {{{glx}}}, or {{{xpresent}}}. You may experiment with different options to see which is the most effective at reducing screen-tearing for you.
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Then you need to fine-tune your pam installation so ConsoleKit can be sure that
your user is correctly authenticated. For that, you need to install libpam-ck-connector and put '''before''' pam_ck_connector.so in /etc/pam.d/common-session.
Advanced users may look into replacing the default Xfwm4 window manager and compositor with DebianPkg:compton instead, which has been noted by some users to also reduce or eliminate screen-tearing.

=== Resetting to defaults ===

Try running:
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session optional pam_loginuid.so mv ~/.config/xfce4-session/ ~/.config/xfce4-session-bak
mv ~/.config/xfce4/ ~/.config/xfce4-bak
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These two commands will rename your configuration directories, forcing Xfce to regenerate them when you next start it. If you want to restore your old configuration, you may remove the {{{-bak}}} that's been appended to the old directories.
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=== Power management issues ===
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== Other Packages ==

Other packages that can be found with: {{{
apt-cache search xfce4
}}}

To install all xfce4 packages do: {{{
apt-get install `apt-cache search xfce | cut -d ' ' -f1`
}}}

''Please think twice before using this option because it causes installation of a large amount of software that may impact your overall system stability.''
As of 05/15/2020, there are 2 rules files missing from {{{/etc/polkit-1/}}} that are required to make xfce4-power-manager work properly. One is for the backlight permission and the other is for the suspend permission. I have detailed the fix that I used to repair the issues [[Xfce-power-manager-troubleshooting|Here]]
----
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 * http://www.xfce.org - The Xfce website
 * [[irc://irc.freenode.net/%23xfce|#xfce]] - [[IRC]] channel
 * '''[[https://www.xfce.org|Xfce Desktop Environment - Official website]]'''
 * '''[[https://docs.xfce.org/|Xfce documentation]]'''
 * [[WikiPedia:Xfce|Xfce - Wikipedia]]
 * [[https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Xfce|Xfce - ArchWiki]]
 * [[ircs://irc.freenode.net/xfce|#xfce]] - [[IRC]] channel
 * Bugs: [[DebianBug:xfce4|Debian BTS]], [[https://bugzilla.xfce.org/|Xfce bugzilla]]

Translation(s): English - Español - Français - עברית - Italiano - 한국어 - Português (Brasil) - Русский - Svenska - Українська - 简体中文


Xfce Logo (GPLv2)

Xfce Logo (GPLv2

  • Xfce is a lightweight desktop environment for Unix-like operating systems. It aims to be fast and lightweight, while still being visually appealing and easy to use.

Xfce consists of a number of components that together provide the full functionality of a desktop environment. They are packaged separately and you can pick and choose from the available packages to create the best personal working environment.

One of Xfce's priorities is adherence to standards, specifically those defined at freedesktop.org. This allows Xfce to seamlessly interoperate with programs written for other desktop environments, if those programs follow the specified standards.

Xfce is based on GTK 3 in 4.14 and newer. Xfce 4.12 and earlier (as found in Debian 10 and earlier) are based on GTK 2.


Installation

Install a new Debian system with Xfce

During Debian installation, select Xfce desktop environment at the Selecting and Installing Software installation step.

Alternatively, at the Debian Installer boot prompt, press the Tab key to edit the command line, then add desktop=xfce.

For a complete rundown refer to the Debian Desktop Howto.

Run Debian Live with Xfce

A Debian live system with Xfce is available at https://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current-live/amd64/iso-hybrid/

Install Xfce in an already installed system

You can install Xfce as the only desktop environment on your computer, or alongside another desktop environment. Your display manager should allow you to select the appropriate desktop before logging in.

To install the full Xfce desktop environment and utilities, install the xfce4 package.

xfce4-goodies is a metapackage that will install many useful plugins and applications related to Xfce. It's a suggested package for standard users that want a complete Xfce desktop experience, however you may have a more "minimal" installation by only installing the specific packages that you want from the list below.

You can search for packages using the xfce4 search term. The "main" Xfce packages are:

Xfce also provides utilities that are frequently used on a personal computer:

The Xfce panel provides a window list, application launchers/menus, a clock, and can be extended using many plugins/applets:

xfce4-genmon-plugin, xfce4-linelight-plugin, xfce4-mailwatch-plugin, xfce4-messenger-plugin, xfce4-mount-plugin, xfce4-mpc-plugin, xfce4-netload-plugin, xfce4-notes-plugin, xfce4-places-plugin, xfce4-quicklauncher-plugin, xfce4-radio-plugin, xfce4-screenshooter-plugin, xfce4-sensors-plugin, xfce4-smartbookmark-plugin, xfce4-systemload-plugin, xfce4-timer-plugin, xfce4-verve-plugin, xfce4-wavelan-plugin, xfce4-weather-plugin, xfce4-wmdock-plugin, xfce4-xkb-plugin, xfce4-cpufreq-plugin, xfce4-cpugraph-plugin, xfce4-dict, xfce4-diskperf-plugin, xfce4-equake-plugin, xfce4-fsguard-plugin, xfce4-hdaps


Run Xfce

From a display manager

Select Xfce from your display manager (desktop login screen).

Most display managers will detect Xfce automatically.

For the slim display manager, edit /etc/slim.conf and set login_cmd exec ck-launch-session /bin/bash -login /etc/X11/Xsession %session

From the console

Xfce can be started from the console simply by running the startxfce4 command. startxfce4 is a script that sets the required environment variables and calls Xinit to start the X server with the Xfce session.


Troubleshooting

Preventing screen-tearing

In the Window Manager Tweaks section of your settings application, under the Compositor tab, uncheck the Enable display compositing box. This will disable some graphical effects but also can help reduce screen-tearing.

Since Xfce 4.14, V-Sync can also be enabled through the use of commands. You might try running:

xfconf-query -c xfwm4 -p /general/vblank_mode -s MODE

where MODE can be either vblank, glx, or xpresent. You may experiment with different options to see which is the most effective at reducing screen-tearing for you.

Advanced users may look into replacing the default Xfwm4 window manager and compositor with compton instead, which has been noted by some users to also reduce or eliminate screen-tearing.

Resetting to defaults

Try running:

mv ~/.config/xfce4-session/ ~/.config/xfce4-session-bak
mv ~/.config/xfce4/ ~/.config/xfce4-bak

These two commands will rename your configuration directories, forcing Xfce to regenerate them when you next start it. If you want to restore your old configuration, you may remove the -bak that's been appended to the old directories.

Power management issues

As of 05/15/2020, there are 2 rules files missing from /etc/polkit-1/ that are required to make xfce4-power-manager work properly. One is for the backlight permission and the other is for the suspend permission. I have detailed the fix that I used to repair the issues Here



CategoryDesktopEnvironment | CategorySoftware