How to change default desktop environment on Ubuntu?

QueenZ · 07-17-2010, 04:10 AM

Actually I want to make my own desktop environment but I'm looking for what triggers the Operating System to start it. And here's a little problem, Ubuntu doesn't use xinit but instead uses upstart to start all programs and I'm not sure how to configure it. If it was xinit i just had to put .xinitrc in my home directory and it would do right? But what about upstart?

I have GNOME Desktop Environment installed and by default it starts "gnome-session" application, how do I make it start "/usr/bin/alazea" application instead? I called my desktop environment "Azalea" and I want it to start instead of GNOME. How do i achieve this?

Thanks!

sarahjohn63 · 07-17-2010, 04:34 AM

If you want to change the default desktop environment for Ubuntu. Then go through the procedure, just click the desktop area select Change desktop background. Here you can see photos of many and even set your favorite picture of desktop environment for Ubuntu.

QueenZ · 07-17-2010, 04:52 AM

Sarah, that's not exactly what i meant =) Desktop Environment is an application that is run after you start up your computer. It's the app that shows the icons on your desktop and the menus and stuff.

QueenZ · 07-17-2010, 10:51 AM

I found once a line that said "exec: 5: gnome-session" but i can't find where it is...

Which file contains the configuration of the default desktop environment? I know i can use other gui tools to change the default environment but i need to know in what file it is set. what is the configuration file where i can change it?

linus72 · 07-17-2010, 10:57 AM

/usr/share/xsessions Doll...

your gonna have to create a azalea.desktop file in /usr/share/xsessions

like here's fluxbox's

Code:

[Desktop Entry]
Encoding=UTF-8
Name=Fluxbox
Comment=Highly configurable and low resource X11 Window manager
Exec=/usr/bin/startfluxbox
Terminal=False
TryExec=/usr/bin/startfluxbox
Type=Application

[Window Manager]
SessionManaged=true

dig that and just replace azalea stuff there, etc
thats for GDM
and then choose azalea from gdm login screen, etc
gdm defaults to a file named .dmrc in /home/username and /root

[Desktop]
Session=Fluxbox

hope that helps some

QueenZ · 07-17-2010, 11:31 AM

linus72, that helped a lot! Thanks! Do you also know if the same works for kdm as well?

linus72 · 07-17-2010, 11:43 AM

oh
not sure Queenz...
I think KDE keeps stuff elsewhere...

it may be /etc/kdm/kdmrc
or
/etc/X11/kdm
/etc/X11/sessions
/usr/share/X11
/usr/share/config/kdm/kdmrc

I dont have kde in anything thats why I dont know...

QueenZ · 07-17-2010, 11:54 AM

I think it's in the same place (/usr/share/xsessions/)

/usr/share/xsessions/kde4.desktop:Name=KDE4