Customizing Your Linux File Manager: Caja, Dolphin, Nautilus, and More

Jarret B

Jarret B

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Joined
May 22, 2017
Messages
454
Reaction score
519
Credits
19,511
Seeing as how Linux is modular and we can change the Operating System (OS) however we want, we can set the File Manager to what we want it to be.

The File Manager is an application used to show the folder and file structure on a drive. It can also show the various drives, whether local or remote, that the user can access. Within the File Manager, a user can rename, copy, move, delete and create folders and files.

Users prefer some File Managers and so when using a new Linux system, change the existing File Manager to the one that is preferred.

Not all File Managers have made this list. I am only discussing some that have a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and are not Command-Line Interface (CLI) File Manager. The File Managers are in alphabetical order. The full list of File Managers can be long.

In this article, I will cover installing the specified File Managers on Ubuntu 24.04, Fedora Workstation 41 and ArchLinux 2025-03.

Before installing a Desktop Environment, always perform and update on your system so the files and repository lists are up-to-date.

Finding Current File Manager

The quickest way to find your File Manager is to open up a folder, such as showing your HOME folder, and select 'Help' and then 'About'.

You may see something like 'Files' or 'PCManFM', depending on your distro.

From a terminal, you can type:

Code: 
xdg-mime query default inode/directory

The result will not be 'Files' or 'PCManFM', it will show 'Nemo' or possibly 'Nautilus'. Which 'Nautilus' is 'Files' and 'Nemo' is 'PCManFM'. Depending on the File Manager and Distro, the names can be different.

Caja

Caja is the default File Manager for the MATE Desktop Environment, which was covered in the article 'Desktop Environments'.

If you want to install Caja on Ubuntu, use the following command:

Code: 
sudo apt install caja -y

For Fedora, use:

Code: 
sudo yum install caja -y

If you are using ArchLinux:

Code: 
sudo pacman -Syu caja

You can see Caja on Ubuntu in Figure 1.

Figure 1.JPG

FIGURE 1

Setting the Default File Browser

The default location for the File Managers is in '/usr/share/applications/'. We saw previously the use of the 'xdg-mime' command to determine the current default. We can use a similar command to set the default, but we need to know the name of the app to use instead.

To find the new name of the File Manager, such as 'caja', we use the command:

Code: 
find /usr/share/applications/ -iname "*caja*"

The resulting file we need have an extension of 'desktop'. We may see a few, but one should be 'generic' enough to work. With 'caja', it is 'caja.desktop'. So, we need to change the default. Use the following command:

Code: 
xdg-mime default caja.desktop inode/directory

You can verify that you changed the default with the command:

Code: 
xdg-mime query default inode/directory

If the change did not take, then the command was incorrect, or the name of the File Manager was wrong.

To test that the proper File Manager opens, you can run a command in the browser to open the default File Manager:

Code: 
xdg-mime ~

The command will open the default File Manager to the Home folder of the current user. If needed, you can specify a different location to open.

There are a few more things to accomplish. An icon for the file manager needs to be placed on the desktop as a shortcut to open the file manager.

Creating a Shortcut

To create the shortcut to the Caja File Manager, we need to create the file '~/.local/share/applications/Caja.desktop'. The file should contain:

Code: 
[Desktop Entry]
Name=Caja
Exec=/usr/bin/caja
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Icon=/usr/share/icons/filemanager.png

Notice that we specify an icon, which you need to create yourself. An example for Ubuntu is:

Code: 
sudo cp /usr/share/icons/Yoru/16x16/apps/filemanager-app.png /usr/share/icons/filemanager.png

For Fedora, use:

Code: 
sudo cp /usr/share/icons/oxygen/base/16x16/apps/system-filemanager.png /usr/share/icons/filemanager.png

For ArchLinux, you can do the following, but you also need to change the 'desktop' file to show that the icon file is 'svg' and not 'png':

Code: 
sudo cp /usr/share/icons/breeze/apps/16/system-filemanager.svg /usr/share/icons/filemanager.svg

You can use your own icon files, but be sure to specify the proper filename and extension in the 'desktop' file.

Now, see that Caja exists in your menu when looking for a program. You can pin the icon to your Dash if your Operating System's Desktop Manage has a Dash.

Dolphin

Dolphin is the default File Manager for the KDE Plasma Desktop.

To install Dolphin on Ubuntu, use:

Code: 
sudo apt install dolphin

Dolphin should be in your menu and you can start it from there and pin it to your Dash. You can see a picture of Dolphin in Ubuntu in Figure 2.

Figure 2.JPG

FIGURE 2

For installation on Fedora, use:

Code: 
sudo yum install dolphin

To install Dolphin on ArchLinux, perform the commands:

Code: 
sudo pacman -Syu dolphin

I had to set the download for two dependencies after entering the command. Just select the default on both and then press 'y' to start the download and installation.

Again, the Dolphin File Manager is in the Menu and you can start it from there. Use the 'xdg-mime' command in a terminal to change the default for the system. The name to use is 'org.kde.dolphin.desktop'. The command is:

Code: 
xdg-mime default org.kde.dolphin.desktop inode/directory

Konqueror

Konqueror was replaced by Dolphin on KDE, but some users still prefer Konqueror.

If you have Caja installed, you will need to remove it before running Konqueror. It is usually best to run Konqueror on the Plasma Desktop.

To install Konqueror on Ubuntu, use:

Code: 
sudo apt install konqueror -y

For Fedora installations, use:

Code: 
sudo yum install konqueror -y

If you want Konqueror on ArchLinux, then:

Code: 
sudo pacman -Syu konqueror

Once installed, you'll need to change the default File Manager with:

Code: 
xdg-mime default org.kde.konqueror.desktop inode/directory

In Figure 3, you can see Konqueror on Ubuntu after it opens for the first time.

Figure 3.JPG

FIGURE 3

Nautilus

The program is now called Gnome Files, is default for Gnome.

For Ubuntu, you can install with the command:

Code: 
sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop -y

If you are using Fedora (or another RHEL distro), use:

Code: 
sudo yum install nautilus -y

For ArchLinux:

Code: 
sudo pacman -Syu nautilus

To change the default File Manager:

Code: 
xdg-mime default org.gnome.Nautilus.desktop inode/directory

If you have any issues where another File Manager opens instead, then remove the File Manager that starts.

You can see Nautilus on Ubuntu in Figure 4.

Figure 4.JPG

FIGURE 4

Nemo

Nemo is a fork of Nautilus and is the default File Manager for the Cinnamon Desktop.

For those who have read "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" by Jules Verne, Nemo is the captain of the submarine named Nautilus.

To install Nemo on Ubuntu, then use:

Code: 
sudo apt install nemo -y

For installing Nemo on Fedora, you can use the command:

Code: 
sudo yum install nemo -y

ArchLinux users can install Nemo with:

Code: 
sudo pacman -Syu nemo[code]

To change the default File Manager to Nemo:

[code]xdg-mime default nemo.desktop inode/directory

To see Nemo, Figure 5 shows it on Ubuntu.

Figure 5.JPG

FIGURE 5

Pantheon

The Pantheon File Manager is the default File Manager for the Pantheon Desktop Environment used by the Elementary OS.

To install Pantheon on Ubuntu, use the commands:

Code: 
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:elementary-os/daily
sudo apt install pantheon -y

The first lines add a new repository to allow access to the Elementary OS programs. The second line will download Pantheon from the new repository.

For Fedora, use:

Code: 
sudo yum install elementary-files -y

For ArchLinux:

[sudo pacman -Syu pantheon-files[/code]

To set Pantheon File Manager as the default, use the command:

Code: 
xdg-mime default io.elementary.files.desktop inode/directory

You can see the Ubuntu OS with Pantheon File Manager on it in Figure 6.

Figure 6.JPG

FIGURE 6

PCManFM

PCManFM was originally a replacement for Nautilus, Dolphin and Thunar. It is the default File Manager for LXDE.

To install it on Ubuntu:

Code: 
sudo apt install pcmanfm -y

For installation on Fedora:

[sudo yum install pcmanfm[/code]

For ArchLinux users:

Code: 
sudo pacman -Syu pcmanfm

To set PCManFM as the default file manager, use:

Code: 
xdg-mime default pcmanfm.desktop inode/directory

You can see PCManFM on Ubuntu in Figure 7.

Figure 7.JPG

FIGURE 7

Thunar

Thunar is the default File Manager for XFCE.

For Ubuntu, use:

Code: 
sudo apt install thunar -y

If you are using Fedora, or other Red Hat flavors:

Code: 
sudo yum install thunar

For those using ArchLinux:

Code: 
sudo pacman -Syu thunar

If you want Thunar to be the default file manager, use:

Code: 
xdg-mime default thunar.desktop inode/directory

You can see Thunar on Ubuntu in Figure 8.


Figure 8.JPG

FIGURE 8

Conclusion

This article should show you the modular ability of Linux with the File Manager.

You should have a good choice of File Managers with the ones covered, but there are more that exist.
 


Jarret B said:
Seeing as how Linux is modular and we can change the Operating System (OS) however we want, we can set the File Manager to what we want it to be.

The File Manager is an application used to show the folder and file structure on a drive. It can also show the various drives, whether local or remote, that the user can access. Within the File Manager, a user can rename, copy, move, delete and create folders and files.

Users prefer some File Managers and so when using a new Linux system, change the existing File Manager to the one that is preferred.

Not all File Managers have made this list. I am only discussing some that have a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and are not Command-Line Interface (CLI) File Manager. The File Managers are in alphabetical order. The full list of File Managers can be long.

In this article, I will cover installing the specified File Managers on Ubuntu 24.04, Fedora Workstation 41 and ArchLinux 2025-03.

Before installing a Desktop Environment, always perform and update on your system so the files and repository lists are up-to-date.

Finding Current File Manager

The quickest way to find your File Manager is to open up a folder, such as showing your HOME folder, and select 'Help' and then 'About'.

You may see something like 'Files' or 'PCManFM', depending on your distro.

From a terminal, you can type:

Code: 
xdg-mime query default inode/directory

The result will not be 'Files' or 'PCManFM', it will show 'Nemo' or possibly 'Nautilus'. Which 'Nautilus' is 'Files' and 'Nemo' is 'PCManFM'. Depending on the File Manager and Distro, the names can be different.

Caja

Caja is the default File Manager for the MATE Desktop Environment, which was covered in the article 'Desktop Environments'.

If you want to install Caja on Ubuntu, use the following command:

Code: 
sudo apt install caja -y

For Fedora, use:

Code: 
sudo yum install caja -y
I tried aqua cloud for managing tests and QA workflows. The AI features are promising and speed up case generation. Integration with Jira and defect tracking is smooth. Interface is clean, but learning curve exists. Worth exploring if you need a unified, AI-powered QA platform.
If you are using ArchLinux:

Code: 
sudo pacman -Syu caja

You can see Caja on Ubuntu in Figure 1.

View attachment 25529
FIGURE 1

Setting the Default File Browser

The default location for the File Managers is in '/usr/share/applications/'. We saw previously the use of the 'xdg-mime' command to determine the current default. We can use a similar command to set the default, but we need to know the name of the app to use instead.

To find the new name of the File Manager, such as 'caja', we use the command:

Code: 
find /usr/share/applications/ -iname "*caja*"

The resulting file we need have an extension of 'desktop'. We may see a few, but one should be 'generic' enough to work. With 'caja', it is 'caja.desktop'. So, we need to change the default. Use the following command:

Code: 
xdg-mime default caja.desktop inode/directory

You can verify that you changed the default with the command:

Code: 
xdg-mime query default inode/directory

If the change did not take, then the command was incorrect, or the name of the File Manager was wrong.

To test that the proper File Manager opens, you can run a command in the browser to open the default File Manager:

Code: 
xdg-mime ~

The command will open the default File Manager to the Home folder of the current user. If needed, you can specify a different location to open.

There are a few more things to accomplish. An icon for the file manager needs to be placed on the desktop as a shortcut to open the file manager.

Creating a Shortcut

To create the shortcut to the Caja File Manager, we need to create the file '~/.local/share/applications/Caja.desktop'. The file should contain:

Code: 
[Desktop Entry]
Name=Caja
Exec=/usr/bin/caja
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Icon=/usr/share/icons/filemanager.png

Notice that we specify an icon, which you need to create yourself. An example for Ubuntu is:

Code: 
sudo cp /usr/share/icons/Yoru/16x16/apps/filemanager-app.png /usr/share/icons/filemanager.png

For Fedora, use:

Code: 
sudo cp /usr/share/icons/oxygen/base/16x16/apps/system-filemanager.png /usr/share/icons/filemanager.png

For ArchLinux, you can do the following, but you also need to change the 'desktop' file to show that the icon file is 'svg' and not 'png':

Code: 
sudo cp /usr/share/icons/breeze/apps/16/system-filemanager.svg /usr/share/icons/filemanager.svg

You can use your own icon files, but be sure to specify the proper filename and extension in the 'desktop' file.

Now, see that Caja exists in your menu when looking for a program. You can pin the icon to your Dash if your Operating System's Desktop Manage has a Dash.

Dolphin

Dolphin is the default File Manager for the KDE Plasma Desktop.

To install Dolphin on Ubuntu, use:

Code: 
sudo apt install dolphin

Dolphin should be in your menu and you can start it from there and pin it to your Dash. You can see a picture of Dolphin in Ubuntu in Figure 2.

View attachment 25522
FIGURE 2

For installation on Fedora, use:

Code: 
sudo yum install dolphin

To install Dolphin on ArchLinux, perform the commands:

Code: 
sudo pacman -Syu dolphin

I had to set the download for two dependencies after entering the command. Just select the default on both and then press 'y' to start the download and installation.

Again, the Dolphin File Manager is in the Menu and you can start it from there. Use the 'xdg-mime' command in a terminal to change the default for the system. The name to use is 'org.kde.dolphin.desktop'. The command is:

Code: 
xdg-mime default org.kde.dolphin.desktop inode/directory

Konqueror

Konqueror was replaced by Dolphin on KDE, but some users still prefer Konqueror.

If you have Caja installed, you will need to remove it before running Konqueror. It is usually best to run Konqueror on the Plasma Desktop.

To install Konqueror on Ubuntu, use:

Code: 
sudo apt install konqueror -y

For Fedora installations, use:

Code: 
sudo yum install konqueror -y

If you want Konqueror on ArchLinux, then:

Code: 
sudo pacman -Syu konqueror

Once installed, you'll need to change the default File Manager with:

Code: 
xdg-mime default org.kde.konqueror.desktop inode/directory

In Figure 3, you can see Konqueror on Ubuntu after it opens for the first time.

View attachment 25523
FIGURE 3

Nautilus

The program is now called Gnome Files, is default for Gnome.

For Ubuntu, you can install with the command:

Code: 
sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop -y

If you are using Fedora (or another RHEL distro), use:

Code: 
sudo yum install nautilus -y

For ArchLinux:

Code: 
sudo pacman -Syu nautilus

To change the default File Manager:

Code: 
xdg-mime default org.gnome.Nautilus.desktop inode/directory

If you have any issues where another File Manager opens instead, then remove the File Manager that starts.

You can see Nautilus on Ubuntu in Figure 4.

View attachment 25524
FIGURE 4

Nemo

Nemo is a fork of Nautilus and is the default File Manager for the Cinnamon Desktop.

For those who have read "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" by Jules Verne, Nemo is the captain of the submarine named Nautilus.

To install Nemo on Ubuntu, then use:

Code: 
sudo apt install nemo -y

For installing Nemo on Fedora, you can use the command:

Code: 
sudo yum install nemo -y

ArchLinux users can install Nemo with:

Code: 
sudo pacman -Syu nemo[code]

To change the default File Manager to Nemo:

[code]xdg-mime default nemo.desktop inode/directory

To see Nemo, Figure 5 shows it on Ubuntu.

View attachment 25525
FIGURE 5

Pantheon

The Pantheon File Manager is the default File Manager for the Pantheon Desktop Environment used by the Elementary OS.

To install Pantheon on Ubuntu, use the commands:

Code: 
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:elementary-os/daily
sudo apt install pantheon -y

The first lines add a new repository to allow access to the Elementary OS programs. The second line will download Pantheon from the new repository.

For Fedora, use:

Code: 
sudo yum install elementary-files -y

For ArchLinux:

[sudo pacman -Syu pantheon-files[/code]

To set Pantheon File Manager as the default, use the command:

Code: 
xdg-mime default io.elementary.files.desktop inode/directory

You can see the Ubuntu OS with Pantheon File Manager on it in Figure 6.

View attachment 25526
FIGURE 6

PCManFM

PCManFM was originally a replacement for Nautilus, Dolphin and Thunar. It is the default File Manager for LXDE.

To install it on Ubuntu:

Code: 
sudo apt install pcmanfm -y

For installation on Fedora:

[sudo yum install pcmanfm[/code]

For ArchLinux users:

Code: 
sudo pacman -Syu pcmanfm

To set PCManFM as the default file manager, use:

Code: 
xdg-mime default pcmanfm.desktop inode/directory

You can see PCManFM on Ubuntu in Figure 7.

View attachment 25527
FIGURE 7

Thunar

Thunar is the default File Manager for XFCE.

For Ubuntu, use:

Code: 
sudo apt install thunar -y

If you are using Fedora, or other Red Hat flavors:

Code: 
sudo yum install thunar

For those using ArchLinux:

Code: 
sudo pacman -Syu thunar

If you want Thunar to be the default file manager, use:

Code: 
xdg-mime default thunar.desktop inode/directory

You can see Thunar on Ubuntu in Figure 8.


View attachment 25528
FIGURE 8

Conclusion

This article should show you the modular ability of Linux with the File Manager.

You should have a good choice of File Managers with the ones covered, but there are more that exist.
Click to expand...
thanks for share. Most allow theme changes, toolbar adjustments, and layout modifications to suit personal preferences. You can add extensions or plugins for extra features like advanced search, batch renaming, or integration with cloud services. Keyboard shortcuts and custom actions speed up workflows. For example, Dolphin offers tabbed browsing and split views, Nautilus integrates well with GNOME, and Caja supports extra context menu scripts. Explore settings to tailor your experience.
 
Last edited:
my recommendations.

if you feel you need to rename files a lot. i recommend thunar. i'm so glad they changed the renaming utility. from 4.18 which became garbage. with "apply" and "done" buttons at the same time. causing confusion and lost data. yes it happened to me.

this is because caja does have a rename utility. but it doesn't seem to work with regular expressions. also the "search and replace" tab doesn't have an "immediate update what's going to happen if i do this."

pcmanfm is a pita. the less said about it the better. wanted to like it the most on endeavouros where it had the most features. on debian with lxqt desktop. if it's already using xfce's window manager. why not also install its file manager?

dolphin is fiddly sometimes. ooh i hate the rename animation that it does. right now on q4os "andromeda" i'm having a largely cosmetic issue. if i select two file entries in file list mode. which are far apart from each other. then ask for deletion or sending those files to the trash. all the files which were in between become selected. this is with "x11 legacy" session, not wayland. debian "trixie's" maintainers upped to plasma 6.3.6 only for this?

i like dolphin's ability to open a mini-terminal. or press "shift+f4" to open konsole on the "current directory."

i wanted to like "ranger." but i need more practice. sometimes it crashes. while i have almost never used it to copy, delete or view any document file.

one more thing to add. don't install linux os with gnome. if you plan to use caja instead of gnome files. gnome "eats" caja. then caja would have to be launched from an unnatural way. which puts off beginners totally. this might be because both desktops. use "nautilus" internal name for packages related to the file manager. it might be another reason why debian/ubuntu refuse to up mate desktop to 1.28.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
How do I get the Nautilus file manager to follow the theme that I have installed?
Replies
1
Views
660
KGIII
KGIII
Vimmer
What file managers do you like?
Replies
14
Views
4K
Vimmer
Vimmer
voodoo
Cannot for the life of me change default file manager (mime/d-bus confusion)
Replies
4
Views
2K
voodoo
voodoo
CaffeineAddict
Tutorial Configure encrypted DNS on Linux including DNSSEC
Replies
5
Views
741
AlphaObeisance
AlphaObeisance
Jarret B
Linux Boot Management with efibootmgr
Replies
0
Views
4K
Jarret B
Jarret B


Follow Linux.org

Members online

Total: 4,577 (members: 3, guests: 4,574)

Latest posts

Top