View source for Install Display Managers

=Overview=

{{tip|if you are only using one desktop environment, then why not choose the appropriate display manager to go with it?}}


'''Display Managers''' are used to provide login screens, and therefore serve as protective security barriers to prevent authorised access to your system. They are also referred to as ''Login Managers''. As with different desktop environments, different display managers will require different system resources to run, and will provide their own unique styles, interfaces, and features. Commonly shared features - particularly in respect to the selection of display managers listed below - include customisation/theming, automatic login, and the selection of multiple desktop environments.


{{note|Only the display managers that can be easily installed and enabled have been listed. There are several additional display managers available from the Manjaro repositories for more experienced users to consider, including '''XDM''', '''WDM''', and '''Qingy'''.}}


=GDM=

[[File:gdm.png|thumb|left|375px]]


'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNOME_Display_Manager GDM]''' - the '''G'''nome '''D'''isplay '''M'''anager - is designed for use with Gnome 3. It supports theming, automatic login, and the automatic detection and use of multiple desktop environments. Specifically for those using Gnome 3, a configuration application is also available to easily customise the login screen and enable automatic login without having to edit any configuration files. 

'''If you are not using Gnome 3''', GDM can be installed by entering the following command:

 sudo pacman -S gdm

'''Alternatively, if you are using Gnome 3''', GDM can be installed along with its own configuration application by entering the following command:

 sudo pacman -S gdm3setup
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[[File:gdmsessions.png|thumb|left|375px]]


{{warning|Installing the configuration application will result in Gnome 3 itself being installed as a dependency if not already installed on your system.}}


'''To enable GDM in Manjaro 0.8.2 or later''' (or if Plymouth has been removed), enter the command:

 sudo systemctl enable gdm.service -f

'''To enable GDM in Manjaro 0.8.1 or earlier''' (or if Plymouth has been added), enter the command:

 sudo systemctl enable gdm-plymouth.service -f
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=KDM=

[[File:kdm.png|thumb|left|375px]]


'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KDE_Display_Manager KDM]''' - the '''K'''DE '''D'''isplay '''M'''anager - is designed for use with KDE. It supports theming, automatic login, and the automatic detection and use of multiple desktop environments. If the full KDE desktop environment has been installed, then KDM should already be available to be enabled. 

Otherwise, to install KDM, enter the command:

 sudo pacman -S kdebase-workspace

Additional themes for KDM can also be obtained by entering the command:

 sudo pacman -S archlinux-themes-kdm
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[[File:kdmsessions.png|thumb|left|375px]]


{{warning|KDM is only suitable for those using - or intending to use - KDE, itself. This is because KDM can only be installed as part of the KDE environment, which will otherwise be downloaded with it.}}


'''To enable KDM in Manjaro 0.8.2 or later''' (or if Plymouth has been removed), enter the command:

 sudo systemctl enable kdm.service -f

'''To enable KDM in Manjaro 0.8.1 or earlier''' (or if Plymouth has been added), enter the command:

 sudo systemctl enable kdm-plymouth.service -f
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=LXDM=

[[File:lxdm.png|thumb|left|375px]]


'''[http://wiki.lxde.org/en/LXDM LXDM]''' - the '''L'''ightweight '''X'''-Windows '''D'''isplay '''M'''anager - is designed for use with any desktop environment. Used as the default display manager for the full editions of Manjaro, it supports theming, automatic login, easy selection of multiple languages, and the automatic detection and use of multiple desktop environments. 

To install LXDM, enter the command:

 sudo pacman -S lxdm
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[[File:lxdmsessions.png|thumb|left|375px]]


'''To enable LXDM in Manjaro 0.8.2 or later''' (or if Plymouth has been removed), enter the command:

 sudo systemctl enable lxdm.service -f

'''To enable KDM in Manjaro 0.8.1 or earlier''' (or if Plymouth has been added), enter the command:

 sudo systemctl enable lxdm-plymouth.service -f
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=SLiM=

[[File:slim.png|thumb|left|375px]]


'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SLiM SLiM]''' - the '''S'''imple '''L'''og'''i'''n '''M'''anager - is designed for use with any desktop environment. Popular with Arch users, it supports theming, automatic login, and use of multiple desktop environments. '''However, SLiM is not recommended for inexperienced users''' as it does not automatically detect installed desktop environments, and it is consequently necessary to manually edit some configuration files to get it to work.

To install SLiM, enter the command:

 sudo pacman -S slim

Additional themes for SLiM can also be obtained by entering the command:

 sudo pacman -S slim-themes archlinux-themes-slim
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[[File:slimsessions.png|thumb|left|375px]]


{{warning|'''DO NOT''' just reboot your system after installing and enabling SLiM! If you do, you will get no further than the login screen. You <u>must</u> first edit the /etc/slim.conf file and the ~/.xinitrc file to get it working before rebooting. Guidance on how to '''[[SLiM Configuration|Configure SliM]]''' has been provided.}}


'''To enable LXDM in Manjaro 0.8.2 or later''' (or if Plymouth has been removed), enter the command:

 sudo systemctl enable slim.service -f
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[[Category:Customisation and Configuration]]
[[Category:Contents Page]]