Arch Linux Installation - Conclusion

We have finally arrived at the part that you've all been waiting for, installing and interacting with the XFCE desktop environment.

XFCE Setup

CodeProject

Logged in as your user account issue the following command:

• sudo pacman -S xfce4 xfce4-goodies gamin firefox
• Then press enter, enter, Y to install the packages and continue the installation

Editing .xinitrc

We're almost ready to start our desktop environment but first we need to copy then edit the xwindow config file.

• cp /etc/skel/.xinitrc ~
• nano .xinitrc

Now uncomment the following line:

• exec startxfce4

Exit the file then save.

At this pont the graphical user environment is installed so let's boot it up with the following command:

• startx

Yay! Welcome to Arch Linux! A panel will pop up with two options, just select use default config and you'll be all set to go!

Bonus - Login Manager

This isn't a requirement but if you are one who likes to have a login screen this part is for you. The first thing we need to do is install slim.

• sudo pacman -S slim slim-themes
• sudo systemctl enable slim.service

Then to set the theme for our login screen we have to edit the slim config file.

• sudo nano /etc/slim.conf

Look for the line that has:

• current_theme default

Change default to Arch minimal then exit and save then reboot the system:

• sudo reboot

There you go! you now have a login screen!

Wrap Up

This concludes the Arch Linux series. If you have any questions or concerns leave a comment below!

Additional Resources

• Slim Themes

Series Links

• Arch Linux Series - Part One
• Arch Linux Series - Part Two
• Arch Linux Series - Part Three
• Arch Linux Series - Part Four
• Arch Linux Series - Part Five