Window manager

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Window manager

A window manager is a system software component of a graphical user interface (GUI) that controls the placement and appearance of windows within a windowing system in a computer operating system. Window managers are often used in conjunction with a desktop environment but can also be used standalone.

Functionality

Window managers provide the basic functionality for managing windows, including:

• Opening, closing, and resizing windows
• Moving windows around the screen
• Managing window focus
• Providing window decorations such as borders and title bars

Types of Window Managers

There are several types of window managers, each with its own approach to managing windows:

• Stacking window managers: These window managers allow windows to overlap by stacking them on top of each other. Examples include Metacity and Openbox.
• Tiling window managers: These window managers organize windows in a non-overlapping manner, arranging them in a grid. Examples include i3 and Xmonad.
• Compositing window managers: These window managers use a compositing technique to render windows, allowing for advanced visual effects. Examples include Compiz and Mutter.

Popular Window Managers

Some of the most popular window managers include:

• Metacity
• Openbox
• i3
• Xmonad
• Compiz
• Mutter
• Fluxbox
• Awesome

Integration with Desktop Environments

Window managers are often integrated with desktop environments to provide a complete user experience. For example:

• GNOME uses the Mutter window manager.
• KDE Plasma uses the KWin window manager.
• Xfce uses the Xfwm window manager.

Customization

Many window managers are highly customizable, allowing users to configure keybindings, themes, and behaviors to suit their preferences. Configuration is often done through text files or graphical configuration tools.

See Also

• Graphical user interface
• Desktop environment
• Compositing window manager
• X Window System
• Wayland

Related Pages

• Metacity
• Openbox
• i3
• Xmonad
• Compiz
• Mutter
• Fluxbox
• Awesome
• GNOME
• KDE Plasma
• Xfce
• KWin
• Xfwm