Xfce Forum

SenorSalad

Member

Registered: 2015-07-06

Posts: 12

[Solved] Changing the default file manager

I would like to change the default file manager from thunar to ranger, a terminal file manager. Unfortunately, going to Settings --> Preferred Applications --> Utilites --> File Manager and setting that to ranger does not work; I get an "Input/Ouput error" whenever I try to run File Manager from the applications menu.

I am running Xfce on Debian Jessie by the way.

ToZ

Administrator

From: Canada

Registered: 2011-06-02

Posts: 11,000

Re: [Solved] Changing the default file manager

Because ranger is a terminal application, you need to execute it inside of a terminal window. Instead of specifying "ranger" in that dialog box, try specifying "xfce4-terminal -x ranger".

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SenorSalad

Member

Registered: 2015-07-06

Posts: 12

Re: [Solved] Changing the default file manager

Hi ToZ,

Unfortunately your solution only causes an empty terminal to appear.

I noticed when I revisited the dialogue box that it says "xfce4-terminal -x ranger "%s"" instead of just xfce4-terminal -x ranger. Perhaps this extra argument is preventing ranger from launching.

EDIT: if I execute the command "xfce4-terminal -x ranger" in an actual terminal, another terminal with the ranger file manager launched does, in fact, appear. So I don't understand why your solution isn't working...

Last edited by SenorSalad (2015-07-24 19:17:01)

ToZ

Administrator

From: Canada

Registered: 2011-06-02

Posts: 11,000

Re: [Solved] Changing the default file manager

Hmm. It works here with or without the "%s".

Try creating a script file with the following content:

#!/bin/bash
xfce4-terminal -x ranger

...make it executable and select it in the preferred applications dialog.

Also test it via:

exo-open --launch=FileManager

Also, what version of exo do you have?

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SenorSalad

Member

Registered: 2015-07-06

Posts: 12

Re: [Solved] Changing the default file manager

Your script suggestion worked perfectly, thanks a lot.

I'm still curious as to why your original solution did not work. My exo-open is in version 0.10.2.

ToZ

Administrator

From: Canada

Registered: 2011-06-02

Posts: 11,000

Re: [Solved] Changing the default file manager

Perhaps an issue with exo. Its currently at 0.10.6 and I'm running the git version of it. I'll bet it was an issue thats been resolved in versions since.

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