10 Best Window Managers for Linux
You’ll never be able to accommodate all of the app windows on your desktop, regardless of how many monitors you utilize with your PC. Unless, of course, you’re using the proper equipment.
A window manager is an ideal tool that perfectly meets this need and enables you to make the most of the screen real estate on your computer/external monitor. It is a piece of software that manages how windows made by programs look. For instance, a window manager controls the location and appearance of windows in the background while an application is launched.
It’s critical to understand the difference between a desktop environment and a window manager. A desktop environment typically includes icons, windows, toolbars, folders, wallpapers, and screen widgets. They provide a selection of applications and libraries that are built to cooperate. A desktop environment comes with a window manager built in.
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List of Best Window Managers for Linux
Let’s examine some of the top Linux window managers and some of their key attributes.
1. i3 Window Manager
i3 window manager is a manual window tiler with a variety of window organization choices. It is designed in C and, like IceWM, offers configuration functionality through a plain text file, making it simple to change its components to fit your style.
This fully adjustable Linux Display Manager – i3 has excellent documentation. The user can alter any aspect of this manager as they see fit, from the position of open apps to unique keyboard shortcuts. The plain-text configurations are understandable and don’t require Haskell or LUA.
With $mod+shift+space, floating windows may be toggled, making switching and managing them simple. The production process is rational in terms of bug prevention, and there is no gad in the window. The user can utilize the terminal to get updates on tasks that have been finished.
2. Awesome WM
One of the best Linux display managers is Awesome WM because it lets you port the asynchronous XCB library rather than the XLib. You may utilize a variety of tags with the Awesome WM to keep your workspace organized, and the LUA lets you completely personalize it. In addition to having the option to use shortcuts, this may be modified, skinned, and keyboard-friendly.
Multiple workspaces are supported by the default configuration of this. Additionally, tables can be resized and arranged using the mouse. The user can easily change something when customizing it.
3. XMonad
A flexible tiling window manager for Linux is called Xmonad. It is free and open-source. It is Haskell-coded and includes a configuration file that enables you to tailor its behavior to your tastes.
You will be free to write something into the configuration rather than being limited to any pre-programmed action or pattern. The basic configurations are easy to alter, and the scripts are often kept secure and clean. This can be used on any slow device and is also quick and lightweight.
You’ll experience no crashes with the help of this straightforward manager. Multi-monitor setups can be accommodated by this manager. The Contrib modules will provide you with everything you require because this window manager is designed specifically for desktop use.
4. Spectrwm
Spectrwm is another fantastic tool and shares many similarities with XMonad. When the program is running, a plain text setup can be loaded again. Users wouldn’t need to log out to view the outcomes of their setup while they were still editing. Any user will value this Linux window manager’s simplicity of use because the settings are the same.
Due to the limited number of options and lack of a configuration language, it is very easy to use. The ideal option for someone new to Haskell would be Spectrwm. With built-in keyboard shortcuts, it is perfect for beginners.
5. Herbstluftwm
Herbstluftwm is a great Window Manager tool for Linux. It’s easy to use, and when you run it from the command line, you can modify its parameters. It means that you can alter Herbstluftwm in the present without having to restart your computer.
The fact that this Linux display manager offers such a great combination of automatic and manual tiling options is its strongest feature. Any user has the option to switch any automated tiling application to manual tiling or allow automatic tiling for each program.
6. Dwm
Another dynamic window manager for Linux is dwm. It controls windows with floating, monocle, and tiled layouts. Each layout can be used dynamically to optimize the settings for the work at hand and the program being used.
This window manager is a prime example of very legible and clean code, and it is held under 2000 SLOC. Dwm is also very system-lightweight, and the user is familiar with how it operates. This low-resource manager has a simple user interface.
7. Ratpoison
Ratpoison is a straightforward window manager that is independent of fats, hefty library dependencies, ornate visuals, or window decorations. It is mostly based on GNU Screen, which has excelled in the market for virtual terminals.
Ratpoison is easy to set up and requires little setting due to its clear nature. If you select this display manager, you won’t use the mouse very often because it supports keyboards. As it supports it, you can also use several desktops. The online documentation for Ratpoison is thought to be top-notch.
8. Fluxbox
Fluxbox is one of your best bets when it comes to Window Manager for Linux. Any gadget will be able to run it rapidly. It is simple to use and customize for users. This program uses very few resources, is simple to use, and is packed with features for a quick and simple desktop experience. It was developed with C++ and is MIT-licensed.
Numerous native options, like tabbing, grouping, a huge number of key commands, a Chainable Keygrabber, a completely editable menu, and a lot more, are included with Fluxbox. Consider diving in and exploring it to discover more about fluxbox’s features.
9. Enlightenment
Because you don’t need any programming experience to set up the environment, this is one of the best Linux display managers to use. You don’t need any coding or editing knowledge to complete the setup because it is utilizable through a user interface. It’s quite simple to become enlightened, and laptop battery life is ideal with mouse-driven options.
It is simple to adapt to your tastes, and you have the option of including one extra compositor. With Enlightenment, you can transform the desktop into its thumbnails and view interactive desktop previews within the desktop widget.
10. Openbox
One of the most popular and lightweight Linux display managers is Openbox. This will only take roughly 100MB of your RAM during the boot process. This is far more dependable and enables greater bug fixes and verification.
It is easy to use and highly flexible. A handful of the configuration files for this manager are simple to change, and they fit in well with common desktop components like bars, menu buttons, and so on.
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FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are window managers?
Window managers are programs that control the placement and appearance of windows on an operating system’s graphical user interface. They are responsible for managing the windows and providing various features and functionalities for users to interact with them. Window managers control the size, position, and behavior of windows, including title bars, borders, and decorations. Window managers are a crucial part of the graphical user interface (GUI) in operating systems like Linux.
They are responsible for drawing and controlling windows on the screen. A window manager written for the X Window System, such as Gnome, is a popular choice among Linux users. Tiling window managers, like manual tiling window managers, are especially favored for their efficient use of screen space. Lightweight window managers are also available for those looking for minimal resource consumption.
2. What is Linux?
Linux is an open-source operating system kernel based on the Unix operating system. It is widely applicable in various devices, including desktops, servers, mobile phones, and embedded systems. Linux provides a stable and reliable platform for running applications and establishes a name for its security, flexibility, and scalability.
Linux is an open-source operating system known for its flexibility and customization options. It provides a configurable window manager, allowing users to arrange and manage multiple windows efficiently. Linux offers tiling windows, where the screen is divided and filled with windows side by side. Users can also choose from a variety of tiling window managers, or use the default window manager for a simpler window arrangement.
3. What is a tiling window manager?
A tiling window manager is a type of window manager that arranges windows in a non-overlapping manner, filling the entire screen without any gaps. It organizes windows into tiles, ensuring that each window is visible and accessible at all times. Tiling window managers are popular among power users and programmers as they offer efficient workspace management and keyboard-centric workflows.
4. What are the best window managers for Linux?
The best window managers for Linux include i3, dwm, bspwm, awesome, and xmonad. These window managers are highly customizable, lightweight, and provide advanced tiling capabilities. They cater to different user preferences and offer extensive keyboard shortcuts for efficient window management.
5. Can you recommend a dynamic tiling window manager for Linux?
i3 is a highly popular dynamic tiling window manager for Linux. It is lightweight, easy to configure, and offers a productive workflow for managing windows. i3 allows users to arrange windows dynamically, automatically adjusting their size and position based on predefined rules.
6. What is the difference between a tiling window manager and a stacking window manager?
A tiling window manager organizes windows in a non-overlapping manner, filling the screen with tiles, while a stacking window manager allows windows to overlap each other. Tiling window managers provide a more efficient use of screen space and often offer better keyboard control, whereas stacking window managers prioritize window layering and provide more flexible window positioning and resizing.
7. How can I configure keyboard shortcuts in a window manager?
In most window managers, including i3, you can configure keyboard shortcuts by editing the configuration file. i3, To configure keyboard shortcuts in a window manager, such as an open-source dynamic tiling window manager for the X window system, one would typically need to edit the configuration file of the window manager.
This file contains settings and keybindings that determine how different windows are manageable and controllable properly. Using a hackable tiling window manager or a framework window manager, which is usually written in C, users can define their own keybindings to perform various actions or to switch between different windows efficiently.
Conclusion:
Window Managers are essential. Now that we have provided a good list of the best Window Manager for Linux, we hope you can choose the best one that will suit your needs and wants for a job best done.
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