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Mattscreative edited this page Nov 19, 2025 · 2 revisions

📁 Arch Linux File Managers Guide

Complete beginner-friendly guide to file managers on Arch Linux, including Nautilus, Dolphin, Thunar, ranger, and file manager configuration.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. GUI File Managers
  2. Terminal File Managers
  3. File Manager Configuration
  4. Troubleshooting

🖥️ GUI File Managers

Nautilus (GNOME)

Install Nautilus:

# Install Nautilus
sudo pacman -S nautilus

# Launch
nautilus

Dolphin (KDE)

Install Dolphin:

# Install Dolphin
sudo pacman -S dolphin

# Launch
dolphin

Thunar (XFCE)

Install Thunar:

# Install Thunar
sudo pacman -S thunar

# Launch
thunar

PCManFM

Install PCManFM:

# Install PCManFM
sudo pacman -S pcmanfm

# Launch
pcmanfm

⌨️ Terminal File Managers

ranger

Install ranger:

# Install ranger
sudo pacman -S ranger

# Launch
ranger

vifm

Install vifm:

# Install vifm
sudo pacman -S vifm

# Launch
vifm

lf

Install lf:

# Install lf
sudo pacman -S lf

# Launch
lf

nnn

Install nnn:

# Install nnn
sudo pacman -S nnn

# Launch
nnn

⚙️ File Manager Configuration

Nautilus Configuration

Configure Nautilus:

# Edit preferences
# Edit > Preferences

# Or via dconf
dconf-editor

Dolphin Configuration

Configure Dolphin:

# Settings > Configure Dolphin

ranger Configuration

Configure ranger:

# Create config
mkdir -p ~/.config/ranger
cp /etc/ranger/rc.conf ~/.config/ranger/rc.conf

# Edit config
vim ~/.config/ranger/rc.conf

🔧 Troubleshooting

File Manager Not Opening

Check permissions:

# Check permissions
ls -la ~/.config/

# Fix permissions
chmod 755 ~/.config/

Mount Issues

Check mounts:

# List mounts
lsblk

# Check fstab
cat /etc/fstab

📝 Summary

This guide covered GUI and terminal file managers, configuration, and troubleshooting.

🔗 Next Steps

This guide is based on the ArchWiki. For the most up-to-date information, always refer to the official ArchWiki.

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