Forum » The Geeks Corner » Linux » Ubuntu - Xubuntu » Changing Thunar or Nautilus to Nemo File Manger

Changing Thunar or Nautilus to Nemo File Manger

  • Most people that use Linux now that Nemo is the best file manager but sometimes a bit of pain to make default. cool

    I do it for people all the time and never really pay attention on just how I do it! LOL So this time I took the time to write it all down. And it's a little different if you are using Ubuntu or Xubuntu. I use Xubuntu just because I like having total CONTROL of my computer and how it looks. And I have no problems reading menu's.

    First which one are you using? If you have the annoying side bar you can't move, change or customize and need to search to find apps? That would be Ubuntu smile I really hoped they would KILL that side bar in Ubuntu 20.04.

    To switch to Nemo in Ubuntu:
    Set Nemo as your default desktop in Ubuntu 20.04+ (some do not need "sudo" but all will work using sudo")
    Type or copy and paste this hit enter: sudo apt update
    Type or copy and paste this hit enter: sudo apt install nemo
    Type or copy and paste this hit enter: sudo xdg-mime default nemo.desktop inode/directory application/x-gnome-saved-search
    Type or copy and paste this hit enter: sudo gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.background show-desktop-icons false
    Type or copy and paste this hit enter: sudo gsettings set org.nemo.desktop show-desktop-icons true
    Type or copy and paste this hit enter: sudo apt install dconf-editor gnome-tweak-tool

    To switch to Nemo Xubuntu:
    Xubuntu 20.04+ (some do not need "sudo" but all will work using sudo")
    Type or copy and paste this hit enter: sudo apt update
    Type or copy and paste this hit enter: sudo apt install nemo
    Type or copy and paste this hit enter: sudo xdg-mime default nemo.desktop inode/directory
    Type or copy and paste this hit enter: sudo apt install dconf-editor gnome-tweak-tool

    Then in both Ubuntu and Xubuntu:
    Check default Desktop Manager Ubuntu & Xubuntu
    Type or copy and paste this hit enter: sudo xdg-mime query default inode/directory
    It should look like this: nemo.desktop

    Then open "dconf-editor":
    Ubuntu search extensions to find dconf-editors.
    Xubuntu it's on your menu under System.
    Then set the icons you want Nemo to handle. Computer, Home, Network, Show Desktop Icons, Trash, Volumes-Visible...

    Now add Nemo Desktop Manager to your start-up:
    Ubuntu:
    Open Start Application Preferences
    Then click Add on the top right.
    Name: Nemo Desktop Manager (Really anything you want)
    Command: nemo-desktop
    Comment: https://happyasis.com/forums/67 (Or again anything you want the link is to the Ubuntu -Xubuntu forum on Happy As Is)

    Xubuntu:
    Open "Sessions and Startup on your menu. 
    Then click the "ApplicationAutostart" in the bottom left corner click "Add".
    Name: what ever you like
    Description: Nemo Desktop Manager
    Command: nemo-desktop
    Trigger: Login

    Then restart the computer and you should have Nemo as the default desktop & file manager.

    Nemo with a light theme and short address/file-folder path bar:


    Nemo dark with a full address/file-folder-path bar:


    Any questions as always just ask. smile

    My System:
    Case: Thermaltake Core V71 Tempered Glass.
    Motherboard: Asus Prime TRX40-Pro.
    CPU: AMD Threadripper 3970X@Auto OC.
    Water Block: EK Velocity sTR4 copper & nickel.
    Radiator: Thermaltake Pacific CL429 64mm pure copper.
    Water Pump & Res: 320 GPH Pond Pump, 5 Gallon Reservoir.
    Memory: 64 gigs Corsair Vengeance DDR4-3600 18-19-19-39 CR1.
    Video Card: Asus TUF AMD RX 6900XT OC 16 gigs
    Hard Drives: 1 Crucial 256gig M550, 2 Crucial 2TB SSD's,
    1 WD 10TB 256meg cache, 1 WD 5TB 128meg cache, 2 Seagate 4TB 256meg cache.
    Power Supply: Corsair 1050 watt SINGLE RAIL.
    OS's: LINUX Xubuntu 20.04 LTS x64 and Windows 10 Pro.
    This post was edited by beast-usa (Admin) at October 27, 2021 1:05 PM PDT
      October 27, 2021 11:46 AM PDT
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