Xfce Forum

duxy

Member

Registered: 2026-05-01

Posts: 13

Sundry XFCE and/or Thunar questions

Hi! Still getting used to XFCE and I'm encountering some quirks that I could appreciate some help with. I don't know that these justify their own threads, but if necessary I'll repost.

• How do I remove "(on hostname)" from the titlebar of all windows?

• Is it possible to prevent applications opening windows on switched-off monitors? root-authentication windows are a common culprit.

• Can I configure each application to remember last directory when opening a file dialog?

• Is there a hotkey to centre mouse on primary monitor? Or current monitor?

• Can catfish search within a selection of directories?

• In thunar, the bottom file in a list view is obscured by horizontal scrollbar. I have to move the mouse out of the window to see it. Can I configure thunar to leave a gutter at the bottom of each window?

• I've noticed that sometimes when I have multiple copy operations running, the File Operations Progress window will close when the topmost copy ends. probably PEBCAK, but has anyone else experienced this?

Some of these will be things I just have to get used to, but any clues gratefully received.

Thank you!

eriefisher

Wanderer

From: ON, Canada

Registered: 2008-10-25

Posts: 1,009

Website

Re: Sundry XFCE and/or Thunar questions

Hi! Still getting used to XFCE and I'm encountering some quirks that I could appreciate some help with. I don't know that these justify their own threads, but if necessary I'll repost.

• How do I remove "(on hostname)" from the titlebar of all windows?

The title bar usually tells you where you are and the application.

• Is it possible to prevent applications opening windows on switched-off monitors? root-authentication windows are a common culprit.

If the screen is off then it isn't active. Everything should happen on the active screen

• Can I configure each application to remember last directory when opening a file dialog?

When you select Open from the menu or otherwise it should be GTK-file-select opening to navigate to the desire file/folder. I think it remembers the last selection. As far as each application, I don't think so

• Is there a hotkey to centre mouse on primary monitor? Or current monitor?

Not sure about this one.

• Can catfish search within a selection of directories?

When you open catfish you select the directory in the left pane then enter the search term on the top.

• In thunar, the bottom file in a list view is obscured by horizontal scrollbar. I have to move the mouse out of the window to see it. Can I configure thunar to leave a gutter at the bottom of each window?

You could try a different theme or use css to edit the individual aspects. Lots of examples here on the forum.

• I've noticed that sometimes when I have multiple copy operations running, the File Operations Progress window will close when the topmost copy ends. probably PEBCAK, but has anyone else experienced this?

Some of these will be things I just have to get used to, but any clues gratefully received.

Thank you!

Multiple copies usually have multiple progress windows open. They should close as each copy finishes not all at once.

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It's alright, when you find your way, then you see it disappear
It's alright....
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duxy

Member

Registered: 2026-05-01

Posts: 13

Re: Sundry XFCE and/or Thunar questions

The title bar usually tells you where you are and the application.

I don't run any programs remotely. It just seems a little redundant that every single window is telling me the same superfluous information. Edit: What is going on? I rebooted since I posted my OP, and now the "(on hostname)" is gone again.

If the screen is off then it isn't active. Everything should happen on the active screen

On multiple occasions I've been sat waiting for a drive to spin up and mount only to realize the root auth window is open on an inactive window. Bug?

When you select Open from the menu or otherwise it should be GTK-file-select opening to navigate to the desire file/folder. I think it remembers the last selection.

Some do, some don't. Veracrypt for example always starts in $HOME.

When you open catfish you select the directory in the left pane then enter the search term on the top.

How do I search for a file in (say) 6 child directories but not the parent directory?

You could try a different theme or use css to edit the individual aspects. Lots of examples here on the forum.

Aha. I'll give the css a quick poke. Thank you!

Multiple copies usually have multiple progress windows open. They should close as each copy finishes not all at once.

Not here. All file progress operations are listed in the same window, with start/pause/stop buttons.

daffyduck

Banned

Registered: 2026-06-25

Posts: 118

Re: Sundry XFCE and/or Thunar questions

How do I search for a file in (say) 6 child directories but not the parent directory?

I think you are asking too much from a simple tool like Catfish.
To search in selected directories only, install Double Commander and learn how to use it. Select files and directories with "Insert" key, search is Alt-F7 (or click on the search button).

Some do, some don't. Veracrypt for example always starts in $HOME.

Perhaps that's a security feature of just Veracrypt? So that it doesn't reveal the location of your encrypted disks? Can you post an example of some other application with this problem.

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duxy

Member

Registered: 2026-05-01

Posts: 13

Re: Sundry XFCE and/or Thunar questions

I don't run any programs remotely. It just seems a little redundant that every single window is telling me the same superfluous information. Edit: What is going on? I rebooted since I posted my OP, and now the "(on hostname)" is gone again.

And I've since rebooted again, and it's back. There appears to be some weird correlation : If autologin succeeds (ie, I'm not prompted), then "(on hostname)" appears. Otherwise if autologin fails, it's absent.

Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue.

Added later 02 min 37 s:

I think you are asking too much from a simple tool like Catfish.

I understand - Being still fairly new, I wanted to use as many default tools as possible. Perhaps I should've phrased it 'Can catfish do this, or should I install a third-party file search?'.

Perhaps that's a security feature of just Veracrypt? So that it doesn't reveal the location of your encrypted disks? Can you post an example of some other application with this problem.

I've done some testing, and it appears that it is just Veracrypt, so I'll just chalk it up as a feature. Another one crossed off the list, thanks!

duxy

Member

Registered: 2026-05-01

Posts: 13

Re: Sundry XFCE and/or Thunar questions

How do I remove "(on hostname)" from the titlebar of all windows?

It looks like my static hostname wasn't set - only the transient hostname.

sudo hostnamectl --static hostname foo

Appears to have worked... for now.

JayGursky

Member

Registered: 2023-07-04

Posts: 22

Re: Sundry XFCE and/or Thunar questions

Is there a hotkey to centre mouse on primary monitor? Or current monitor?

It's possible to set it using AutoKey, e.g. with a script like:

mouse.move_cursor(960, 540)

Assign that script to any hotkey in AutoKey.

Or, there are other automation tools, like xdotool perhaps?
Custom commands can be assigned to shortcuts via (XFCE) Settings -> Keyboard.

Last edited by JayGursky (2026-08-02 21:53:47)