linux-change-the-default-linux-window-manager
FOR YOUR SETTINGS ONLY If you use "startx" to start your X Windows manager then in your home directory (/home/username) (Many light distributions like Slackware, archlinux, DSL, etc. use .xinitrc
cp .xinitrc .xinitrc.bak //backup any existing file settings
nano .xinit.rc
exec xfce4
NOTE: IF YOU'RE USING gdm YOU HAVE TO REMOVE GDM'S CONTROL OF THE BOOT... update-rc.d -f gdm remove to return to debian Gnome GDM control use update-rc.d -f gdm defaults
comment the above and uncomment one of the following to change your window manager
exec ion
exec jwm
exec wmaker
exec startkde
exec icewm
exec blackbox
exec gnome-session
exec startfluxbox
exec startxfce4
exec xfce4-session
exec openbox
exec startlxde
NOTE that the "." in front is intentional, that indicates that it's a "hidden file" ALSO NOTE that the windows manager should be the LAST line in the file (so that all "helper" applications are running in the GUI Environment and that when the .xinitrc script finishes so does your X Session...
If you use XDM (graphical login) then
cp .xsession .xsession.bak nano .xsession
FOR CENTOS/REDHAT nano /etc/sysconfig/desktop
nano /etc/X11/gdm/gdm.conf
System -> Preferences -> Startup Applications ls /etc/xdg/autostart
FOR THE WHOLE COMPUTER cd /etc/X11
ls /usr/share/xsessions //this will list the desktops registered with GDM e.g. gnome.desktop IceWM.desktop ssh.desktop xfce.desktop
nano xfce.desktop
[Desktop Entry] Version=1.0 Name=Xfce Session Name[da]=Xfce-session Name[fr]=Session Xfce Comment=Use this session to run Xfce as your desktop environment Exec=startxfce4 Icon= Type=Application
NOTE I've left some of the alternative language stuff in (fr = french)...