LXQt with kwin

Kwin is the window manager of KDE. Since the release of KDE Frameworks 5 it is possible to install kwin without a lot of "bloat" of other KDE4 components. This makes it well suited for lighter Desktop Environments such as LXQt.

Kwin offers more advanced Vsync options and additional options and themes in comparison to Openbox. Kwin requires more hardware resources and can slow your system down.

Install Kwin

Please use one of the following methods to use kwin instead of openbox as the default window manager in LXQt.

User-friendly Method

This method installs the default theme of kwin: oxygen. If you like this theme, you should definitely use this installation method.

First, install oxygen (and kwin as dependency) and the KDE system settings window:

sudo pacman -S oxygen systemsettings

Next, go to your Start Menu and choose: Settings --> LXQt Configuration Center --> LXQt Session Configurator.

A window opens titled "LXQt Session Settings". "Openbox" is set as window manager. Next to this box is "Search" button. Click it and choose "/usr/bin/kwin_x11" as your new window manager.

Finally, reboot your system

Light-weight Method

This method installs the least packages necessary, but it requires a little more time. It is great for users, who do not like the default kwin theme: oxygen.

First, install kwin and the KDE system settings window:

sudo pacman -S kwin systemsettings

Next, go to your Start Menu and choose: Settings --> LXQt Configuration Center --> LXQt Session Configurator.

A window opens titled "LXQt Session Settings". "Openbox" is set as window manager. Next to this box is "Search" button. Click it and choose "/usr/bin/kwin_x11" as your new window manager.

Reboot your system. Do not be scared by the looks of your system: All window borders are missing and you cannot close open windows anymore.

Just go to your Start Menu and choose: Settings --> KDE System Settings.

A window opens titled "System Settings". Click on the only icon in the "Appearance" Category. Now you change your window decorations, but you have only one window decoration to choose from called "Plastik".

In the bottom right corner is a greyed out "Apply" button. Change anything you want (e.g. move the close button on the "Plastik" theme to the left) and click the "Apply" button.

Finally, reboot your system.

Removing Openbox

After successfully switching to kwin as your window manager, you can safely remove Openbox:

sudo -Rsnc openbox obconf

obconf is the "Openbox Settings" window. Sometimes, this window is installed in the latest development version and you need to remove a package named "obconf-qt-git".

Troubleshooting

Starting systemsettings:

There should be a new icon in your Start Menu --> Properties called KDE System Settings.

If this is not the case, you can always start it in your terminal:

systemsettings

It is always possible to create your own icon in your Start Menu: Read this Wiki section.

Links

You can find more pages about LXQt in the Manjaro Wiki here.

A forum thread about "LXQt with kwin" can be found here.