Restore default Xfce settings

Jerry3904 · 2015-10-07 09:29:36

I am looking at the possibility of providing a simple one-button means for the user to restore the basic Xfce settings that came with a distro's release (i.e., repopulate the user's home from the skel files = "factory reset" of DE).

Here is the list I currently have in mind:

~/.config/autostart/
~/.config/Thunar
~/.config/xfce4/
~/.gtk-2.0/ and -3.0

I would be interested in hearing opinions on the following:

1) should any of these be excluded?
2) is there another one or two that should be added?
3) are there foreseeable problems or dangers with such a procedure?

TIA

ToZ · 2015-10-07 12:46:01

I would also include ~/.cache/session, ~/.cache/xfce4 and ~/.local/share/xfce4. Also the ~/.gtkrc--2.0 file as it may get used to hack gtk2 (depends on whether you want to keep the hacks or not).

Others to include, depending on whether you have the particular application installed:
- ristretto: ~/.config/ristretto & ~/.local/share/ristretto
- gigolo: ~/.config/gigolo
- mousepad : ~/.config/Mousepad
- orage: ~/.config/orage & ~/.local/share/orage
- xfburn: ~/.config/xfburn
- xfce4-dict: ~/.config/xfce4-dict

Xfce menus?
- ~/.config/menus
- ~/.local/share/desktop-directories
- ~/.local/share/applications

Custom mime settings?
- /.config/mimeapps.lst
- ~/.local/share/mime
- ~/.local/share/applications/defaults.list
- ~/.local/share/applications/mimeapps.list
- ~/.local/share/applications/mimeinfo.cache

Jerry3904 · 2015-10-07 13:13:34

Thanks.

Do you see any risks in providing such a button, as long as of course a backup is made of the user-changed files and a warning issued to the user about losing all user's changes since the version release?

ToZ · 2015-10-07 16:30:39

I don't see any system risks - this will basically reset Xfce to its distro defaults. The only "real" risk is to lost configurations/settings, but since that is the purpose of this app, then it shouldn't be a problem. Making a backup is a good idea.

MountainDewManiac · 2015-10-07 19:42:56

You might consider choosing to make such a thing selectable. IOW, present the user with a list of applications/etc. for which ALL of his/her settings will be cleared and allow es to pick and choose. That way, it is useful both to the user who wishes a "clean" system (although it might be more clean if the app also uninstalled all applications/updates that were added post-system-install) and the user who just has one (or more) apps that es has issues with due to way they have been configured.

I'm somewhat surprised that BleachBit doesn't have the above as options.

Regards,
MDM

Jerry3904 · 2015-10-08 11:01:35

Thanks for the suggestions.

IOW, present the user with a list of applications/etc. for which ALL of his/her settings will be cleared and allow es to pick and choose.

I am thinking of two development phases: the one-button restoration inside our MX User Manager, and a dedicated app that would do this selection thing. The first is already in process and will be in alpha 3 for testing in a few days. The second will have to wait until more development time is available, not sure when that will be atm.

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#1 2015-10-07 09:29:36

Restore default Xfce settings

#2 2015-10-07 12:46:01

Re: Restore default Xfce settings

#3 2015-10-07 13:13:34

Re: Restore default Xfce settings

#4 2015-10-07 16:30:39

Re: Restore default Xfce settings

#5 2015-10-07 19:42:56

Re: Restore default Xfce settings

#6 2015-10-08 11:01:35

Re: Restore default Xfce settings

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